Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)

Maidin mhaith. Fáilte go léir. Apologies have been received from Deputies Eamon Scanlon and Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire.

Before we proceed, I have a few housekeeping matters to go through as follows. In accordance with Standing Orders, I wish to make the following declaration. I do solemnly declare that I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my knowledge and ability execute the office of Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Defence and National Security without fear or favour, apply the rules as laid down by the Houses in an impartial and fair manner, maintain order and uphold the rights and privileges of members in accordance with the Constitution and Standing Orders.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that in order to participate in public meetings, members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex. Members of the committee attending remotely must do so from within the precincts of Leinster House. This is due to the constitutional requirement that in order to participate in public meetings, members must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit. In this regard, I ask any member partaking via MS Teams that, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

Members are also reminded 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 damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if members' statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

This committee plays a critical role in making real and long-overdue changes to the lives of those serving in the Defence Forces, as well as protecting Ireland's neutrality and the triple lock and examining our preparedness in the event of a national emergency. It is a new and necessary committee designed to address unprecedented challenges facing our island. I want to assure the committee that this committee is on the side of the ordinary women and men in the Defence Forces. The recommendations outlined in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces must be implemented to bring transformative and lasting change. The Defence Forces are renowned the world over for their peacekeeping. A key area the committee will examine is the attempts to erode the triple lock mechanism and its impact on our neutrality. Ireland's neutrality is a long-standing policy position, which has enabled a proud history of peace and conflict resolution. Our military neutrality and independent foreign policy enable us to identify breaches of international law, occupation, apartheid, annexation and military aggression when they present, and to take proportionate, effective and humanitarian-centred action in response to such breaches. Neutrality should be a peace policy advocate for resolution of conflict. I would like the committee to engage in open, transparent and genuine debate on how we resource our neutrality. Another important area to examine on this committee is cyber threats and the protection of our international assets, namely, cables, data centres and interconnectors.

We also urgently need to look at our disaster readiness and how we protect our island in the event of a national emergency. I am committed to leading this Joint Committee on Defence and National Security with impartiality and integrity. I want to facilitate all members to give of their best to formulate a solid, transparent and practical work plan that will make a significant contribution to the kind of Defence Forces and national security mechanisms necessary for our island.

Do members want to comment at this stage?