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

Apologies have been received from Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I remind members and those in the Public Gallery that mobile phones should be switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even on silent mode, with the recording equipment in the committee rooms.

The purpose of today's meeting is to consider the motion referred to the select committee by Dáil Éireann in relation to Ireland's participation in permanent structured co-operation pursuant to the provisions of section 3 of the Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. Under the terms of the Dáil motion of 6 December 2017, the committee must consider the matter and, having done so, send a message back to the Dáil not later than 7 December 2017. I welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for Defence, Deputy Paul Kehoe, and officials from the Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. We will hear the opening presentation of the Minister and then take questions from members.