Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise people on the matter of Covid-19. Those who are present in the committee room are asked to continue to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19.

I am delighted that our single-item agenda this afternoon is a meeting with representatives from Civil Defence, who will brief the committee on its work, its plans, and its priorities for the coming year and the next year.

We are meeting in the context of our select committee being charged with dealing with Committee Stage of the Civil Defence Bill 2023, which we hope to have before us before the end of the month. I am delighted to formally welcome, from the Department of Defence, Ms Aileen Nolan, director, Ms Emer Dalton, principal officer, and Mr. Aidan Dillon, assistant principal officer. We are joined live on Microsoft Teams by Mr. Niall Twomey. Mr. Twomey, who is very welcome, is Civil Defence officer with Cork County Council. We are also joined by Mr. Fergal Conroy, Offaly County Council Civil Defence officer; Mr. Dennis Keeley, chief fire officer of Dublin Fire Brigade.

The format of our meeting is in the usual manner. We will hear an opening statement, which will be followed by a question-and-answer session with members of the committee. I ask members to be concise in their questions, allowing all members the opportunity to participate, and hopefully, we will have a second round.

I advise witnesses and members 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 in any way identifiable, or otherwise in 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 relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with such a direction.

I want to thank Deputy Berry for making the suggestion that we would have today's engagement, and I call on Ms Aileen Nolan to make her opening statement.