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

As we have a quorum, the meeting will now commence. I have received apologies from Senators Ivana Bacik and Billy Lawless.

The committee will be hearing from the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with responsibility for defence, Deputy Kehoe. He is very welcome. As part of its work programme for 2018, the committee agreed to invite the Minister of State before it to discuss defence matters raised at the Foreign Affairs Council, particularly the Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP, permanent structured co-operation, PESCO, and other relevant EU-proposed initiatives on defence. This meeting also provides an opportunity for detailed discussion with the Minister of State on all matters relevant to the Defence Forces. I welcome his officials and thank them for the briefing supplied in advance of the meeting.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even when on silent mode, with the recording equipment. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or body outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I call on the Minister of State to make his opening statement.