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

Apologies have been received from Deputy Cowen and Senator Joe O'Reilly. We have members present in person and online from their offices. Our main agenda item this afternoon is meeting the implementation oversight group, IOG, of the high-level action plan for the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. I am pleased to welcome the chair of the IOG, Ms Julie Sinnamon. I am also pleased to welcome Mr. Eamonn Murtagh, assistant secretary, and Mr. David Byrne, principal officer, from the Department of Defence. While attendance at Oireachtas committees is something to which Ms Sinnamon has become accustomed over the years, I would hazard a guess that this is her first time to appear before the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. She is in her new role and we welcome her.

The format of our meeting is similar to other parliamentary committees insofar as we will hear Ms Sinnamon's opening statement, followed by a questions and answers session with members of the committee. I ask members to be concise with questions to allow everybody an opportunity to participate. While some members are present in the room, there are a number online. I do not see those members online but I understand that Deputy Stanton is online, along with Senator Ardagh and Deputy Leddin. They are welcome and they will participate in the usual way, should they choose.

I remind witnesses and members of the long-standing parliamentary practice that we should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make them identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, any statements that may be potentially defamatory with regard to any identifiable person or entity will result in a direction to discontinue the remarks. It is imperative that any such direction be complied with.

I also want to welcome members of the Defence Forces to the Public Gallery. They are here courtesy of Deputy Berry. I see that they are all both experienced and experts. I hope they find the proceedings to be interesting and stimulating. On behalf of the committee, I call Ms Sinnamon to make her opening statement.