Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I have received apologies from Senator Ardagh due to another urgent engagement. We have received apologies from the ambassador of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Ms Tabu Irina, who was due to be with us this afternoon. I am really pleased that we are joined today by representatives of the embassies of Algeria, Egypt, Lesotho, Morocco, South Africa, and Sudan to mark Africa Day. Excellencies, you are all very welcome. This is the first occasion upon which the foreign affairs committee has marked Africa Day. It is of great significance and importance and I warmly welcome your presence this afternoon.

Some of you will be familiar with the practice and procedure of our committee. The format of the meeting is in the usual manner. We will hear an opening statement from the representative of each embassy. It will be followed by a question and answer session, or observations and comments, with members of the committee. As we have a full meeting this afternoon, and we need to finish by 5.15 p.m. due to other commitments, I ask members to be concise in their observations and questions to allow the opportunity for everybody to participate.

Witnesses and members 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 otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. It is probably not necessary for me to read such a statement in the presence of members of the diplomatic corps but if I was to say it was directed more to my committee members, I probably would not be fully accurate in that regard either.

I am really pleased to note that Ireland has a long and deep sense of friendship and solidarity with countries of Africa that has been reflected in many ways over the decades since our independence. I refer to our connections through our missionaries, educators, humanitarian workers, peace-keepers and health workers. In turn, African communities in Ireland continue to make an enormous contribution to our society. Africa's young and growing diaspora is helping to make Ireland an ever more vibrant and dynamic place in which to live. Events are happening throughout the country this week and next to mark Africa Day. In my constituency on Friday, there will be a pop-up performance celebrating Afro-Brazilian culture through music and dance in Portlaoise, as well as an athletics day in Tullamore. In the constituencies and home venues of all Members of the Houses, there will be events to promote and mark Africa Day. I wish all those celebrating a very happy and successful Africa Day.

Ireland sees enormous potential to strengthen our co-operation with Africa. Our trade and commercial links are increasing. Africa's population is growing. Its middle class is expanding. It is an increasing source of innovation and technological development. All this means that this is, in essence, a century of opportunity for Africa and all its countries. Africa's exciting future is reflected in growing ambition for Ireland's engagement with Africa. We are expanding our diplomatic representation on the continent, with new embassies in Morocco and Senegal, bringing our total on the continent to 14. We had 16 high-level visits to 14 countries in Africa last year. Indeed, a delegation from this committee comprising Deputy Carthy and myself just recently returned from a most successful engagement in Mozambique. I take this opportunity on Africa Day to acknowledge the contribution of all those attached to Irish missions in Africa. Allow me a particular word of appreciation to ambassador Patrick Empey and his very hard-working team in Maputo in Mozambique. Ireland has an ambitious strategy for Africa. Our Government continues to seek stronger and more intense bilateral relationships, as well as advocating a stronger relationship between the EU and Africa.

Alongside the opportunities, Africa continues to have many challenges. Building on our role as co-chair with Kenya of the negotiations of the sustainable development goals, Ireland is committed to advancing the vision of the SDGs of a safer and more equal, more sustainable world. Ireland will continue to work with African countries in our shared effort to achieve the SDGs, with a particular focus on reaching those who are furthest behind first. A thriving Africa is in all our interests. I look forward to hearing from each of our guests on their perspectives on how Ireland can strengthen its relationship with each of their countries and indeed with the continent of Africa more widely. It gives me please to invite H.E. Dr. Lahcen Mahraoui, ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, to make his opening statement. He is one of the longest standing ambassadors in Ireland. He is a great friend of Ireland, of this Parliament and of this committee.