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

We resume in public session. I wish to draw the witnesses' attention to 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 this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.
In this session we are dealing with the closure of private colleges and language schools. Over the past two months or so, five private colleges have closed, and the possibility of further closures has not been ruled out. Many students attached to these colleges have been affected by the closures. Many have lost substantial fees and many face an uncertain situation in regard to their continuing immigration status as a result of the closure.
I welcome the Irish Council for International Students, represented by Mr. Dave Moore and Mr. Bruno Mateus Francio. I invite Mr. Moore to make his presentation.