Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Our witnesses are Dr. Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Mr. Ciarán O'Sullivan and Ms Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn. Mar is gnách, I draw everyone's attention 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 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 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 Irish Mathematics Learning Support Network consists of people with an interest in the provision of mathematics and statistics support in tertiary level education in Ireland. The report by the network, Student Evaluation of Mathematics Learning Support: Insights From A Large Multi-Institutional Survey, was launched in November 2014. It contains valuable insights about the transition from second to third level mathematics for students across a range of disciplines and the impact of mathematical support services. Representing the network today are Dr. Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Mr. Ciarán O'Sullivan and Ms Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn. I invite Mr. O'Sullivan to make a presentation regarding the report.