Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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Apologies have been received from Deputies Scanlon and Callaghan and Senators Craughwell and Clonan.

Before I go into today's business, as the Joint Committee on Defence and National Security meets for engagement on the national maritime security strategy, we send solidarity to activists, including my own colleague and Member of this House Senator Chris Andrews, who have been illegally detained by armed Israeli forces in international waters while onboard the Global Sumud Flotilla.

This flotilla is a peaceful humanitarian mission carrying food and aid to Gaza. Its violent interception is a blatant violation of international law and we demand the immediate release of Senator Andrews and all Irish citizens.

I welcome Colonel Sean Grant, the UK defence attaché to Ireland, to the Gallery.

The joint committee is meeting today in public session for a briefing by officials from the Department of Defence on the draft national maritime security strategy. On behalf of the committee, I welcome from the Department Dr. Margaret Stanley, maritime security unit, Mr. Alan Neary, assistant principal officer, maritime security unit, and Mr. Eoghan Campion, administrative officer in the maritime security unit.

The format of the meeting is that I will invite Dr. Stanley to make an opening statement on behalf of the Department. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee. Each member has a seven-minute slot in which to ask questions and for the witnesses to respond.

I advise members of the constitutional requirement that members 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 that any member participating via Microsoft Teams 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 a 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 they comply with any such direction.

Lastly, as the witnesses will probably be aware, the committee will publish the opening statements on its website following the meeting. I now invite Dr. Stanley to make an opening statement on behalf of the Department.