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

I remind members and delegates to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode, as they interfere with the sound system and make it difficult for the parliamentary reporters to report the proceedings of the meeting. Television coverage and web streaming are also adversely affected.

The purpose in this part of the meeting is to engage with a number of stakeholders on the topic of continuous assessment for State examinations. On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome Ms Moira Leydon, assistant general secretary of the ASTI; Ms Joanne Irwin, president of the TUI; Mr Oisín Hassan, vice president for academic affairs, USI; Mr. Geoff Browne, president of the national parents' council post-primary, and Mr. Lewis Purser, director of academic affairs, Irish Universities Association.

I communicate the apologies of Deputies Thomas Byrne and Catherine Martin who had to leave the meeting to participate in the work being done in the Chamber. The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Josepha Madigan, and Senators Robbie Gallagher and Lynn Ruane also send their apologies.

I will invite the delegates to make brief opening statements that should be no longer than three minutes and which will be followed by engagement with members. I thank the delegates for their submissions which will be published on the committee's website after the meeting.

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 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. Any opening statement submitted to the committee will be published on its website after the meeting, together with the submissions forwarded to the committee secretariat.

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 call on Ms Leydon to make her opening statement.