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

I welcome the Minister for Defence, Deputy Simon Coveney, to our meeting to consider a motion referred to the select committee by Dáil Éireann in relation to the report by the Minister regarding service by the Defence Forces with the UN in 2020 and 2021, and to consider a motion referred to the select committee by Dáil Éireann in relation to Ireland's participation in four permanent structured cooperation projects, PESCO, projects. I am pleased to welcome the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and officials from the Department of Defence, and thank them for their briefing material.

The proposed format of our meeting is that for first hour or so we will hear opening remarks from the Minister in relation to two reports regarding service by the Defence Forces with the UN and will open up to the floor for questions from members of the committee. This will be followed by further opening remarks from the Minster, Deputy Coveney, in relation to Ireland's participation in the four permanent structured cooperation, PESCO, projects. We will again open up to the floor for questions, observations or issues that committee members wish to raise.

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 or her or it in any way identifiable.

I was going to say that I welcome some old friends, but if I said that maybe some would take exception.