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

No. 2 on our agenda is an engagement with stakeholders on the committee's review of relationships and sexuality education. As everybody is aware, this is fourth engagement on this matter. Therefore, it is a very important one. This meeting provides us with the opportunity to explore further the role of management boards, including any challenges which they may encounter in the development and implementation of RSE programmes and any impact that the ethos of the school may cause.

On behalf of the committee I welcome, Mr. John Curtis, the general secretary, Joint Managerial Body. He is welcome to the committee once again. I also welcome Dr. Martin Gormley, director of schools, Donegal Education and Training Board. He is also very welcome. I pass on apologies on behalf of Deputy Catherine Martin. She was here earlier but had to leave to attend another meeting. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan will have to leave to attend another meeting shortly. I will also have to step out to deal with an oral question in the Dáil at 11.10 a.m. and I ask that another member of the committee take the Chair in my absence. Deputy Thomas Byrne will be here but he will also have to step out to deal with an oral question at some stage. I apologise for the intrusion but that is nature of Dáil and Seanad life.

The format of this part of the meeting is that I will invite the each of the witnesses to make a brief opening statement of three minutes, which will be followed by engagement with members of the committee.

Before we begin, I wish to draw witnesses' attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect to their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the Chair to cease giving evidence about a particular matter, and they continue to do so, they are entitled, thereafter only, to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that evidence only connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name, or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I advise witnesses that opening statements and submissions made to the committee will be published on the committee website after this meeting.

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 invite Mr. John Curtis to make his opening statement.