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

I remind members and delegates to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound system and make it difficult for the parliamentary reporters in reporting the proceedings of the meeting. Television coverage and web streaming of the meeting can also be adversely affected.

No. 5 on the agenda is engagement with a number of stakeholders on the ongoing reform of the leaving certificate curriculum. There is always much debate and discussion on this topic. In the words of Vere Foster who was a great philanthropist and educator and the first president of the Irish National Teachers Organisation in the late 1800s, "A nation's greatness depends upon the education of its people." Obviously, we are talking about the education of the youth, not just towards examination results.

On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome Dr. Katriona O'Sullivan from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth; Mr. John Doran, a guidance counsellor at Patrician secondary school in Newbridge; Mr. Tomás Ó Ruairc, director of the Teaching Council, who is accompanied by Ms Carmel Kearns, head of teachers, learning and research; Mr. Tony Donohoe, head of education and social policy at IBEC, who is not a stranger to the committee and whom it is good to see again; Ms Sorcha Ní Chonghaile from Oifig na Gaeilge who is representing the Irish Second-Level Students Union; Mr. Geoff Browne, president of the National Parents Council Post-Primary, who is accompanied by Mr. Ross MacMahon, communications director; Mr. Eamonn Moran, principal officer at the Department of Education and Skills, who is accompanied by Ms Ruth Richards from the inspectorate; Mr. Aidan Farrell, CEO of the State Examinations Commission, who is accompanied by Mr. Hugh McManus, assistant head of examinations and assessment; and Mr. John Hammond, CEO of the National Council for Curiculum and Assessment, who is accompanied by Mr. John Halbert, director of curriculum and assessment.

The format of the meeting is as follows. I will invite all of the delegates to make a brief opening statement of about five minutes' duration. They can share time, if they so wish. The opening statements will be followed by engagement with members of the committee. Everybody will then have the opportunity to respond to questions or comments from members.

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 me as Chair to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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. I also advise that any opening statement made to the committee will be published on its website after the meeting, with the submissions received.

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 Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now ask Dr. O'Sullivan to make her oral submission.