Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputies Seán Crowe and Darragh O'Brien. Deputies Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Lisa Chambers are substituting and welcome. All mobile phones should be switched off for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference with the recording equipment in the committee room, even when left in silent mode.

The meeting has been convened to consider the Supplementary Estimate for Vote 35 - Army Pensions - which was referred to the select committee by Dáil Éireann on 21 November. A briefing document has been circulated to members. I thank the Minister of State at the Departments of the Taoiseach and Defence, Deputy Paul Kehoe, and his officials for attending to assist in our consideration of the Supplementary Estimate. I also thank them for the briefing material provided which has been circulated to members. I remind members that, in accordance with Standing Orders, the discussion should be confined to the items which constitute the Supplementary Estimate.

I invite the Minister of State to make his opening remarks.