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

The next item on our agenda is our engagement with Ms Brigid McManus, chairperson designate of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, 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 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 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 the committee website after this meeting. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

The role of the NCCA is to advise the Minister for Education and Skills on curriculum and assessment from early childhood to the end of second level education and to support innovation in schools. Today we have an opportunity to engage with Ms Brigid McManus as chairperson designate of the NCCA. I welcome Ms McManus to the meeting and invite her to make her presentation to the committee.