John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they do not criticise or make charges against a Member of either House, a person outside the Houses, or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Members are reminded of the provision within Standing Order 158 that the committee shall refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government, or the merits of the objectives of such policy or policies.

As we are to hear a number of opening statements today, I suggest that the sequence be as follows: UCD, Trinity College, DCU and Waterford Institute of Technology. I welcome all the witnesses. I call on Dr. Hugh Brady, president of UCD, to introduce his officials.