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

The purpose of the meeting is to consider the motion that was referred to the select committee on the joint procurement arrangement for the EU SatCom market and the European Centre for Manual Neutralisation Capabilities, pursuant to section 2 of the Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. Under the terms of the Dáil motion of 21 November, the committee must consider the matters and, having done so, report back to the Dáil not later than 30 November. I welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for defence matters, Deputy Paul Kehoe, and his two officials from the Department. I thank the officials for forwarding the briefing material in advance. The format of the meeting is that we will hear the opening presentation of the Minster of State and then take questions from members. I invite the Minister of State to make his contribution.