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

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Paul Rowe, chief executive officer of Educate Together, Ms Breda Corr, general secretary of the National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education, Ms Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin, Gaeloideachais, Dr. Ríona Ní Fhrighil, Cearta Oideachais, Mr. Pat O'Mahony, education, policy and research officer, Education and Training Boards Ireland, Ms Jane Donnelly, Atheist Ireland on behalf of Evangelical Alliance Ireland and Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Ireland, Ms Sarah Lennon and Mr. Paddy Monahan, Education Equality, and Mr. Anthony Muldoon and Dr. Eoin Daly from EQUATE Ireland.

The witnesses are very welcome. They are here to discuss the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016. There is also a Private Member's Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016 and some of the matters discussed today may have a bearing on this legislation. If they wish, the witnesses may comment on that matter.

I 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. Any opening statements witnesses present will be published on our website directly following the meeting. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

In case Deputies on the committee have to leave for a division - as is likely to happen given that this is the second last day before recess - I have asked, and the committee has agreed, that Senator Lynn Ruane take the chair so that the proceedings may continue. There will be opportunities after recess because other groups and organisations want to engage with us and will be afforded the opportunity to do that.