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

The first item on the agenda is engagement with the Minister for Education and Skills on motion re the proposed approval by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann of the Employment Equality Act 1998 (section 12) (Reservation of vocational training places) Order 2018. I welcome the Minister.

The purpose of this part of the meeting is to have an engagement with the Minister for Education and Skills on the proposed approval by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann of the Employment Equality Act 1998 (section 12) (Reservation of vocational training places) Order 2018. On behalf of the committee I would like to welcome the Minister and his officials. I understand that the Minister has to leave for a Cabinet meeting at 10 a.m., so we will try not to delay him unduly. The format of this part of the meeting is I will invite the Minister to make an opening statement which will be followed by engagement with members of the committee.