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

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Tony Donohoe, director of education at the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, IBEC, Mr. Richard Kennedy, deputy president of the Irish Farmers Association, Ms Patricia King, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Mr. James Doorley, deputy director of the National Youth Council of Ireland, Ms Michelle Murphy, research and policy analyst, Social Justice Ireland and Professor Diarmuid Hegarty, chairman of the Higher Education Colleges Association.

I wish to apologise to the witness for the delay, as we ran late with the earlier session. I thank them for bearing with us. The witnesses are here to discuss the findings of the Cassells report, Investing in National Ambition: A Strategy for Funding Higher Education.

I wish to draw the attention of 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 the committee. However, if they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, 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, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I advise witnesses that any submissions or opening statements they make to the committee today will be published on the committee's website following this meeting.

I will divide the meeting into two brief sessions. We will hear from three witnesses and then the members can ask them questions. Then I will call the remaining three witnesses.

I call Mr. Donohoe to make his opening statement.