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

I welcome the officials from the Department of Education and Skills to discuss multilingualism in an EU context with the joint committee. We note this issue is one of the topics for debate under the Presidency of the European Council, given the need for modern languages in today's multicultural economy. It is also an issue tabled to the agenda by members as something we need to address. I welcome Ms Breda Naughton and Ms Anne O'Mahony, qualifications, curriculum and assessment policy unit, Ms Gráinne Morrissey, higher education division, and Mr. Paul Caffrey, inspectorate. I draw their attention the fact that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they 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 should not criticise or make charges against a person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I advise them that their opening statements and any documents submitted to the committee will be published on its website after the meeting. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice 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 now invite Ms Naughton to make her opening remarks.