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

I welcome members. On behalf of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to Mr. Aidan O'Driscoll, chairperson of the Commission on the Defence Forces, and Mr. Cathal Duffy, who is from the commission secretariat. This is the first time the committee has engaged with the commission.

We look forward to hearing from you, Mr. O'Driscoll, on the work already undertaken, the work programme, the timelines and when it is expected the commission will be in a position to report. The committee was invited to forward views and did so to the Minister earlier in respect of the terms of reference. This was prior to the formal establishment of the commission.

I remind witnesses of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as in any way damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Any statements that may be potentially defamatory in regard to an identifiable person or entity will result in a direction that the remarks be discontinued. For witnesses attending remotely from outside of the Leinster House campus, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege. As such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses who may be physically present. Witnesses from outside the jurisdiction are advised that they need to be mindful of domestic law within that jurisdiction. This does not apply to our proceedings today.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that we should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make the person in any way identifiable. Members are only allowed to participate in the meeting if they are physically located within the confines of the Leinster House complex. Anyone watching online or accessing the meeting remotely, as some are, should note that due to the unprecedented circumstances and the large number of people attending the meeting remotely, technical issues may result in obstruction or delay. We seek forbearance in the event that this arises.

I invite Mr. O'Driscoll to make an opening statement, following which I will open the meeting to observations, comments questions and otherwise on the part of members of the committee.