Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I have received apologies from Senator Ó Donnghaile. I welcome from the Department of Defence, Ms Jacqui McCrum, Secretary General; and from the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, Chief of Staff. They are here to brief the committee on the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, with a particular focus on the implications of the working time directive on Defence Forces personnel, the strategic objectives on transformation in both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces in the context of ongoing work dealing with issues highlighted in recent reports, the matter of gender balance, recruitment, including current remuneration and allowances in the Defence Forces, issues of retention and requirements for entry into the Defence Forces. We look forward to hearing from the witnesses on the issues outlined. The format of the meeting is that we will hear opening statements followed by questions and answers with members of the committee. I ask members to be concise in their questions to allow all members the opportunity of participation.

I remind 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 them identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, any statements that may be potentially defamatory with regard to any identifiable person or entity will result in a direction to discontinue the remarks. It is imperative that any such direction be complied with. I remind members that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located within the Leinster House complex. Senator Ardagh is on Microsoft Teams and she is welcome, even though we cannot see her.