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

Today we meet with the Tánaiste, Deputy Micheál Martin, to discuss matters that have arisen at the recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, along with matters relevant to both Departments under his remit, Foreign Affairs and Defence. I suggest we commence by examining foreign affairs issues before moving on to examining defence matters. We will keep both separate insofar as we can. I suggest 90 minutes for each, but I am open to suggestions otherwise as we proceed. Does that sound reasonable to members? It does. Thank you.

You are very welcome, Tánaiste. We look forward to hearing from you on the issues as outlined. I also welcome your officials and I thank them for the comprehensive briefing we have received from both Departments. The format of the meeting will be in the usual manner. We will hear the opening statement of the Tánaiste in relation to the Department of Foreign Affairs, followed by a question and answer session with members of the committee. After that we will hear the opening statement on defence issues which will also be followed by a question and answer session with members of the committee.

We have a big agenda, not least the current crisis in the Middle East.

We have an update on the Ukraine crisis, defence issues relating to initiatives in the budget and the recommendations of the commission on the future of the Defence Force. We thank the officials for making available an early copy of the committee or engagement report on defence issues. The forum was chaired earlier in the year by Professor Louise Richardson. Whether members have had an opportunity to go through that document or not remains to be seen. Perhaps it is an issue to revert to on another occasion before the end of the year, if we can. As we have the agenda, I ask members to be concise in their questions to allow everyone an opportunity to participate in our debate.

I remind members and witnesses 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 in any way identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of that person or entity. Therefore, if any statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, members and witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks. Of course, it is imperative that such a directive be complied with. I remind members that they are only allowed to participate in the meeting if they are physically located on the Leinster House campus.

I welcome H.E. Ms Dana Erlick, ambassador of Israel, who has recently taken up her position in Dublin. My understanding is that Ambassador Farooqui from the Pakistan Embassy is also in the Public Gallery. I welcome our ambassadors to our meeting. As a rule, ambassadors and their officials and teams are always welcome to our meetings.

I call on the Tánaiste to make his opening statement. He will be followed by Deputy Carthy.