Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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During this session, we will engage with officials from the Departments of Finance and Defence and the European Commission. The usual statements must be read out.

The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. However, a number of today's witnesses are giving their evidence remotely from a place outside the parliamentary precincts. As such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness physically present does. They may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. Witnesses are again 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 and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members who might be attending remotely of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the place in which Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome, from the Department of Defence, Mr. Dermot Ryan, principal officer, and Mr. Brendan Fitzgerald, first secretary in Brussels. From the Department of Finance, I welcome Mr. Gerald Angley, principal officer counsellor, and Mr. Sean Brennan, assistant principal. Via Teams, I welcome from the European Commission, Mr. Christophe Galand, deputy director and head of unit - internal policies of the EU, Ms Lenka Filipkova - I hope I got that right - director, Mr. Micha Comnick, Directorate General for Defence, Industry and Space, DG DEFIS, - Act in support of ammunition production, ASAP, and Ms Rosa Garcia Calera, also from DG DEFIS - ASAP.

I invite Mr. Angley to make his opening remarks.