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

Good afternoon members and witnesses. I have received an apology from Senator Gerard Craughwell. Our agenda for this afternoon is our meeting with Ms Julie Sinnamon, chair of the implementation oversight group of the high-level action plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. I welcome Ms Sinnamon and thank her for her work. I also welcome the following officials from the Department of Defence: Mr. Eamonn Murtagh, assistant secretary general; Mr. David Byrne, principal officer; and Mr. Brian Molloy, assistant secretary general. They are all very welcome.

Members will be aware of the fact that there are certain issues in the plenary timetable of Dáil Éireann which may be of interest to some of them. Deputy Carthy, in particular, will have to leave at approximately 4 p.m. and I am keen to give him an opportunity to make a contribution. That said, everyone is very welcome.

The committee last heard from Ms Sinnamon, as chair of the implementation oversight group of the high-level action plan, in May 2023. It is interested in hearing about what has been achieved since then, how things are progressing and the plans going forward.

The format of the meeting will be as usual. We will hear an opening statement from Ms Sinnamon and this will be followed by questions and answers with members of the committee. I ask members to be concise in their questions in order to allow everyone an opportunity to participate.

I advise both 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 him, her or it in any way identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the name of that person or entity. Therefore, if any statement is potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks, and it is imperative that any such direction is complied with. That said, I do not expect that this will occur.

I remind members that they are allowed to participate in this meeting only if they are physically located in the Leinster House complex. I remind our witnesses that we still have a kind of hybrid, post-Covid operation here insofar as it is possible for Members to contribute and listen from their offices, provided they are within the confines of Leinster House in that regard. The identity of such persons should be shown on the screen. I do not see any currently, but should the situation arise, I would be happy to remind witnesses and members of the requirement.

I call Ms Sinnamon to make her opening statement.