Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish everybody a good morning. What normally does not happen here has happened this morning, in that we have a slight technical problem. If members and witnesses wish to speak, they must press the button in front of them. That will mean only one person can speak at a time, as otherwise the microphones will not pick up their contributions. That will mean we will have a very courteous meeting, which will be good. I thank everyone for agreeing to that.

I welcome everybody to this meeting of the committee, which is a resumed hearing on the topic of tackling childhood obesity. This morning we will hear from representatives of the Teaching Council, the National Parents Council Post-Primary, the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland, ASTI, the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, and the Teachers Union of Ireland TUI. I welcome to the meeting Mr. Tomás Ó Ruairc, director, and Ms Carmel Kearns, the Teaching Council; Mr. Geoffrey Browne, National Parents Council Post-Primary; Ms Maeve McCafferty, education and research official, Irish National Teachers Organisation; Mr. David Duffy, education-research officer, Teachers Union of Ireland; and Ms Moira Leydon, assistant general secretary, Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland. I thank them for appearing before the committee this morning and for their patience with us earlier. I also welcome all the members and the viewers who may be watching these proceedings on Oireachtas TV to this public session of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs.

Before we commence, in accordance with procedure, I am required to draw attention 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 a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and continues to do so, the witness is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his or her evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and 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 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.

I remind members to switch off their mobile phones or turn them to flight mode. That would be greatly appreciated.

I call Mr. Tomás Ó Ruairc, director of the Teaching Council of Ireland, to making his opening statement.