James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and her officials and thank them for being with us today. The topic under discussion today is the motion on the proposed approval of regulations and a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on international protection, asylum and migration. We will receive a briefing from the Minister on that motion. Briefing documents by the committee's research team have been circulated by the secretariat as well as the Minister's opening statement.

Before I get on to the main business of the meeting, I advise of the following matters relating to parliamentary privilege and practice: witnesses and those partaking in the meeting are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or to otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging or defamatory to that person or entity. I will take that as understood. We are all experienced parliamentarians.

I will ask the Minister to speak on the motion. There are some visitors and substitutions on the committee so for their benefit, we will hear from the Minister first for her briefing. We will then take questions and submissions from around the table. Committee members go first. Deputy Harkin, Senator Keogan and any others who join us this afternoon are very welcome. Committee members will go first and then visitors will be taken afterwards. That does not apply to substitutes. Deputy Ó Laoghaire is here as a substitute for Deputy Ward. There is an opening round of six minutes per member. That time is for questions and answers then we will move on. We can do a second or indeed a third round as required. We have a three-hour session booked. It is a 4.15 p.m. start. The Minister has commitments in the Dáil at about 7.20 p.m. or so and, therefore we will conclude after three hours if not already concluded. Perhaps we will not need it but it is available if it is.

I invite her to make her opening statement.