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

At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery are requested to ensure that for the duration of the meeting all mobile telephones are turned off completely or switched to airplane safe or flight mode, depending on the device.

I welcome our witness, Mr. Pat Burke. I advise the witness 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. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they 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. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or 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 ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any 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 this meeting. Mr. Pat Burke is the chair-designate of the State Examinations Commission. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, has announced that she proposes to appoint Mr. Pat Burke as chairperson of the State Examinations Commission for a period of five years. The State Examinations Commission is responsible for the development, assessment, accreditation and certification of the second level examinations which are the junior certificate and the leaving certificate examinations.

Today the committee has an opportunity to engage with Mr. Burke regarding his appointment. I welcome Mr. Burke and I invite him to make his presentation to the committee.