Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Last week we met officials from the Department of Education and Skills and yesterday we met with the Higher Education Authority. Between today and next week, we will meet with six higher education institutions. In this session we will examine the financial statements for 2013-14 for University College Cork, UCC. From UCC we are joined by Professor Patrick O'Shea, the president who is new into the job and we wish him the best of luck in his position, Mr. Diarmuid Collins, chief financial officer, and Mr. Cormac McSweeney, acting finance officer.

From the Department of Education and Skills, we are joined by Mr. Christy Mannion, and by Dr. Graham Love and Mr. Andrew Brownlee from the Higher Education Authority.

I remind Members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery that all mobile phones need to be switched off.

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 committee 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.

Members are reminded of the provisions within Standing Order No. 186 that the committee shall also refrain from enquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a member of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policies. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.