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

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and at the Department of Defence, Deputy Kehoe. The committee agreed as part of its work programme for 2018 to invite the Minister of State to discuss matters raised at the Foreign Affairs Council on defence, particularly the Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP, permanent structured co-operation, PESCO, and other relevant EU-proposed initiatives in regard to defence. This meeting also provides an opportunity to have a detailed discussion with the Minister of State on all matters relevant to the Defence Forces. For the purposes of the meeting the Minister of State has been requested to provide a brief opening statement dealing with the Foreign Affairs Council on defence matters. The Minister of State has also been notified that all matters relevant to the Defence Forces are open for discussion in the subsequent question and answer session. I also welcome the Minister of State's officials here today and thank them for the briefing provided in advance of the meeting.

Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even on silent mode, with the recording equipment in the committee room. This meeting is also being broadcast live on Oireachtas TV and across the various media platforms. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that 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 committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I invite the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, to make his opening statement.