Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Members will recall that they requested that they be kept informed of progress in respect of the Education and Training Boards Bill 2012. The Bill has now commenced its legislative passage through the Oireachtas, with Committee Stage to be dealt with shortly by the Select Committee on Education and Social Protection.

I welcome Mr. Gerry Craughwell, president, Mr. John MacGabhann, general secretary, Mr. Declan Glynn, assistant general secretary, Ms Bernie Judge, education research officer, Mr. Paul Whelan and Ms Ciara O'Donnell, executive committee, Teachers Union of Ireland, TUI; and Mr. John Stewart, national adult literacy co-ordinator, Ms Olive Phelan, adult literacy learner and Mr. Denis McBride, National Adult Literacy Agency, NALA. Apologies have been received from the Irish Vocational Education Association, IVEA, which had sought to join us in our discussions on this issue but for which the date of the meeting was not suitable.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off. I wish to advise witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If witnesses are directed by this committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled, thereafter, only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Gerry Craughwell of the Teachers Union of Ireland to make his presentation.