Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I have received apologies from Deputies Stanton and Cowen. The Dáil has ordered that the Revised Estimates for public services in respect of the following Votes be referred to this committee for consideration, namely, Vote 35 - Army Pensions and Vote 36 - Defence. At today's meeting, the select committee will consider the Estimates.

On behalf of the select committee, I welcome the Tánaisteand Minister for Defence, Deputy Micheál Martin, and his officials. I thank the officials and the Department for the briefing material provided to the committee. As it is the first meeting of this committee with the Tánaiste in his revised capacity as the Minister for Defence, I warmly welcome him. He has experience of attending this committee in his capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs in the past, but not as Minister for Defence. At the outset of today's consideration, I invite the Tánaiste to give an overview of Votes 35 and 36, outlining any pressures or issues that are likely to impact on the performance of the Department of Defence and of expenditure on the Vote for the remainder of this year. For questions, the Votes will be taken in reverse order.

We will take Vote 36 first, followed by Vote 35. The floor will then be opened for questions from members of the committee for both Votes separately.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make any charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make that person in any way identifiable. I do not believe any members of the committee are participating remotely. With that, I call on the Tánaiste to make his opening statement in respect of Votes 35 and 36, after which we will have questions and answers with members.