Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this afternoon's meeting is to consider two motions referred to the select committee by Dáil Éireann on 8 December 2020 relating to Ireland's participation in the European Defence Agency, EDA, project on maritime surveillance, MARSUR, networking relating to operational support and development under MARSUR III and the report by the Minister for Defence regarding service by the Defence Forces with the United Nations in 2019. I welcome the Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, who is joining us today from a witness room in Kildare House. I also welcome officials from the Department. I thank the officials and the Minister for the briefing material we received prior to this meeting.

The proposed format of today's meeting is that we will hear opening remarks from the Minister for each matter referred, before opening it up to the floor for questions from members of the committee. I wish to remind members 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 that official in any way identifiable. I also remind members that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located within the Leinster House complex. I call on the Minister to make his opening statement in respect of the motion referred to the committee relating to Ireland's participation in the EDA project on MARSUR networking.