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

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. 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. 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. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members 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.
The opening statement submitted to the committee will be published on the committee website after the meeting. I ask the witnesses to turn off their telephones or switch them to flight mode. Otherwise, they will interfere with broadcasting equipment. This meeting is to consider the proposed new model for special needs education published by the National Council for Special Education in June. We have discussed education for children with special needs previously, for example, in the context of children with Down's syndrome. I welcome Mr. Eamon Stack, Ms Teresa Griffin and Ms Mary Byrne representing the National Council for Special Education, NCSE; Ms Lorraine Dempsey representing the Special Needs Parents Association, SNPA; and Mr. Pat Goff and Mr. Seán Cottrell from the Irish Primary Principals Network, IPPN. I invite Mr. Stack to make his presentation and ask him to remain within five minutes.