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 the joint committee. However, If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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 any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. The opening statement 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, where possible, 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 ask everyone to make sure his or her mobile phone is either switched off or left in flight or safe mode, as otherwise it may interfere with the broadcasting equipment.

The purpose of today's meeting is to consider the role of primary school boards of management and their relationship with the Department of Education and Skills. We will hear presentations on the matter from the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association, CPSMA, which is represented by Ms Maria Spring and Ms Sinéad Brett; the Church of Ireland General Synod Board of Education, represented by Mr. Ken Fennelly and Ms Joyce Perdue; and the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, represented by Ms Anne McElduff. The Department of Education and Skills is represented by Mr. Hubert Loftus and Mr. Tom Deegan. I invite Ms Brett to make the presentation on behalf of the CPSMA.