John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Apologies have been received from the following colleagues: Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Senator Alice-Mary Higgins and Deputy Shay Brennan. I know there are other committees running concurrently and there will be a little bedding in as people get used to their committees.

Before we proceed, I have a few housekeeping matters to go through as follows. In accordance with Standing Orders, I wish to make the following declaration. I do solemnly declare that I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my knowledge and ability execute the office of Cathaoirleach of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade without fear or favour, apply the rules as laid down by the Houses in an impartial and fair manner, maintain order and uphold the rights and privileges of members in accordance with the Constitution and Standing Orders.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that in order to participate in public meetings, members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex. Members of the committee attending remotely must do so from within the precincts of Leinster House. This is due to the constitutional requirement that in order to participate in public meetings, Members must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit. In this regard, I ask any Member partaking via MS Teams that, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

Members are also 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 Members' statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks, and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Good afternoon, members. I am very pleased and honoured, particularly for my constituents in Dublin South-West, to have been appointed as Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. I welcome all members of the Houses of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, being Deputies Cathy Bennett, Brian Brennan, Shay Brennan, Noel McCarthy, Ken O'Flynn, Duncan Smith, Seán Ó Fearghaíl and Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, and Senators Garret Ahearn, Alice-Mary Higgins, Fiona O'Loughlin, Joe O'Reilly and Patricia Stephenson. I look forward to working with you all in a genuine spirit of partnership and co-operation and in addressing the many issues and challenges facing the Department under the remit of this committee. I am conscious of the proud record of Irish foreign policy dating back as far as Frank Aiken's work on non-proliferation. As we begin our work together, I wish to acknowledge the work of the former Joint Committee of Foreign Affairs and Defence during the previous Oireachtas term.

The members of that committee carried out valuable work and focused on several important issues that will remain relevant to us on this new committee. I thank them and the officials for that work. I hope we will be able to build on their work.

Given the current geopolitical climate, it is vital that this committee approach its work seriously. Ireland's history informs our approach to and perspective on international events. That history is organic and evolving. While we may have differing perspectives at time, it is my sincere hope that we will always work together in a spirit of mutual respect and collegiality against the backdrop of uncertainty, volatility, anxiety, aggression and instability we see in the world right now, with a view to being an effective, competent, relevant and dynamic committee. I assure members my approach as Cathaoirleach will always be one of consensus and fairness. I believe we as members of the committee can do our job best in an environment where all members can contribute and know their efforts have made a difference. I will always endeavour for this to be the case and will be available to assist members in any way I can.

"Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events". These words, borrowed from another time, have helped to guide me in my political career. As we consider the awful carnage being visited on innocents throughout our world, we implore leaders to be reminded of the words of Robert F. Kennedy Snr. that:

we can perhaps remember, if only for a time, that those who live with us are our brothers, that they share with us the same short moment of life; that they seek, as do we, nothing but the chance to live out their lives in purpose and in happiness, winning what satisfaction and fulfilment they can.

I look forward to working with all members in the days, weeks and months ahead. Do any members wish to make a comment?