Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the chief executive officer of the Irish Universities Association, the presidents of the universities and the head, College of Law and Business of UCC to a discussion on Investing in National Ambition: A Strategy for Funding Higher Education, commonly known as the Cassells' report. Let me put on record the committee's gratitude and thanks to Mr. Peter Cassells, the members of the expert group, and the secretariat for the time they put into research and compiling the report which will be helpful. There is no doubt that tough decisions will have to be made and there is an onus on the committee to arrive at a consensus when we have heard the views expressed in a number of meetings, the first of which is today. Eventually we will bring the consensus view to the Minister for Education and Skills.

We thank all of the witnesses for their presence this morning. I welcome Mr. Ned Costello, the chief executive of the Irish Universities Association; Professor Don Barry, president of University of Limerick and chairman of the Irish Universities Association for 2016; Professor Brian MacCaith, president of Dublin City University; Professor Philip Nolan, president of Maynooth University; Professor Andrew J. Deeks, president of University College Dublin; Dr. James J. Browne, president of the National University of Ireland, Galway; Dr. Patrick Prendergast, Provost, Trinity College Dublin and Professor Ursula Kilkellly, head, College of Business and Law, University College Cork, who is standing in for Dr. Michael Murphy, president of University College Cork. Professor Caroline Fennell, who is the senior vice-president, academic and registrar was to have stood in, but could not do so. I thank Professor Kilkelly for joining us at the last moment. Mr. Costello and the university presidents and the head of Business and Law are here to discuss the findings of the Cassells' report.

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 to the committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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. Submissions and opening statements 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 they should 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 now call on Professor Barry to make the opening statement. Members may then ask questions.