Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Apologies have been received from the Cathaoirleach, Deputy Flanagan, and from Deputy Cronin.

Today we meet with An Tánaiste, Deputy Micheál Martin, to discuss matters that have arisen at the Foreign Affairs Council along with the individually tailored partnership programme with NATO. I understand the Tánaiste will be required to be in the Dáil to deliver a statement on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and will therefore need to depart from the joint committee at 5.15 p.m. The Tánaiste is very welcome and we look forward to hearing from him on the issues outlined. I also welcome his officials and thank them for the briefing material they have supplied to us.

The format of the meeting will be that we will hear the Tánaiste's opening statement followed by a question-and-answer session with the members of the committee. As we have a lot to get through at this meeting, I ask colleagues to be concise in their questions to allow all members the opportunity to participate.

I will read the usual note on privilege. Witnesses and members are 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 their 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 any such direction. For those colleagues who are joining us online, I remind them that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located on the Leinster House complex. I again welcome the Tánaiste and ask him to make his opening statement.