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

I welcome witnesses from the Department of Education and Skills and the Higher Education Authority, HEA, to today's meeting to discuss reform of third level education. From the HEA I welcome Mr. Tom Boland, chief executive officer, Ms Mary Kerr, deputy chief executive, and Mr. Fergal Costello, head of funding institutes of technology. From the Department of Education and Skills I welcome, Ms Mary Doyle, assistant secretary, Ms Ann Forde, principal officer, and Mr. Christy Mannion, principal officer.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give this committee. If a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and the witness continues to so do, the witness is entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of his or her 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 nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I will start with the Higher Education Authority. I invite Mr. Boland to commence his presentation.