John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I advise members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, a member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts of Leinster House will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any member participating via MS Teams to confirm that he or she is on the grounds of the Leinster House complex prior to making his or her contribution to the meeting.

Members are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity either 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 regarding an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

As the witnesses will probably be aware, the committee will publish the opening statements on its website following the meeting. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity either 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 regarding an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I thank everyone who sent in submissions for the committee’s pre-legislative scrutiny of the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory (prohibition of importation of goods) Bill 2025. We have received upwards of 800 submissions and it will not be possible to acknowledge receipt of these. However, I would like to assure everyone that these have been received and will be considered by the committee when drafting its final report.

I welcome the witnesses for the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory (prohibition of importation of goods) Bill 2025. We have with us: Professor Takis Tridimas; Professor Panos Koutrakos; Ms Blinne Ni Ghrálaigh KC; and Professor Graham Butler. We will hear their opening statements followed by a question-and-answer session with members of the committee. I ask members to be concise in their questions to allow all members the opportunity to participate. The way we proceed with this is that every member has seven minutes to ask questions and receive answers to those questions from witnesses. We will probably get to a second round. I welcome the witnesses. We look forward to hearing from them on this important legislation. On that note, I invite Professor Takis Tridimas and Professor Panos Koutrakos to make their joint opening statement, to be followed by Ms Blinne Ni Ghrálaigh KC and Professor Graham Butler.