Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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No apologies have been received. Deputies Mark Ward and Catherine Callaghan have indicated that they are doing business in the Chamber and will be here as soon as possible. I remind members to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode.

The purpose of this meeting is to have engagement with the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors and the Garda Representative Association on policing matters. While we will focus on policing matters generally, we have indicated to our guests that we would like to specifically discuss the areas of recruitment and retention, the divisional operational model, community policing and roads traffic policing. On behalf of the committee, I extend a very warm welcome to Mr. Ronan Clogher, general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, Mr. Kevin Bolger, deputy general secretary, and Mr. Declan Higgins, president of the association. From the Garda Representative Association, we welcome Mr. Ronan Slevin, general secretary, Mr. Niall Hodgins, vice president, and Ms Tara McManus, assistant general secretary.

Before I invite the witnesses to deliver their opening statements, I will advise them of the following in respect of parliamentary 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.

The format of the meeting is that we will invite each organisation to make an opening statement of a maximum of three minutes. Once the opening statements have been delivered, I will invite members of the committee to put their questions in the order in which they indicate to me. To manage the committee's time effectively, I propose that each member commence with an initial five minutes or so of engagement with the witnesses. This includes both questions and answers, so it is important that members and respondents be as succinct as possible. When we have gone through the first round of questions, we will open it up to a second round and perhaps even subsequent rounds if time allows. The duration of the meeting is limited so I ask people for their co-operation. I will now invite each organisation to deliver its opening statement, beginning with Mr. Slevin.