Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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Apologies have been received from Deputy Tom Brabazon.

The joint committee is continuing its pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of defence (amendment) Bill 2025. Joining us today are members of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers. I welcome, on behalf of the committee, Lieutenant Colonel Conor King, general secretary, Lieutenant Colonel Derek Priestley, deputy general secretary, and Lieutenant Colonel Martin Ryan, president. The witnesses are here with us today to discuss the general scheme of the Bill.

The format of the meeting is that I will invite Lieutenant Colonel King to make an opening statement with Lieutenant Colonel Priestly. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee. Each member has a seven-minute slot to ask questions and for witnesses to respond.

I advise members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, a member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any member participating via Microsoft Teams to confirm formally prior to making a contribution to the meeting that he or she is on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

Both members and witnesses 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 may be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory regarding an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Lastly, as the witnesses will probably be aware, the committee will publish their opening statements on its website following the meeting.

I now invite Lieutenant Colonel King to make his opening statement. He will be followed by Lieutenant Colonel Priestley.