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

I draw the attention of the witnesses 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 do so, 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

The opening statements the witnesses have submitted to the committee will be published on the committee website after this 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, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind everybody to turn off mobile telephones or put them on safe or flight mode because they interfere with the broadcasting equipment.

Today we are looking at the subject headed 21st century universities - Performance and Sustainability. At last week's meeting, we heard from the Higher Education Authority about the national strategy for higher education up to 2030 and the higher education system performance framework from 2014 to 2016. This week we are continuing looking at the whole area of the university sector, with consideration of issues raised by a symposium on the performance and sustainability of our universities in the years ahead, which was held by the Irish Universities Association last autumn.

I welcome, from the Irish Universities Association, Mr. Ned Costello, Mr. Michael Casey, Mr. Lewis Purser, Ms Sinead Lucey and Mr. Qiantao Zhang. From Trinity College Dublin we have Dr. Charles Larkin. To commence our discussion I invite Mr. Costello to make the presentation on sustainability.