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

I remind witnesses and members to switch off their mobile phones or to put them on flight mode because they can interfere with the sound system, which makes it difficult for parliamentary reporting, web streaming and television broadcasts.

We have reached No. 5 on our agenda. The purpose of this part of the meeting is to have an engagement on the workload of teaching principals. We all know that principals in general have a lot to contend with and have a busy working life, but that is especially true of teaching principals. This is the second hearing of a series of engagements in the summer school on the general theme of school facilities and costs and related matters. In this session, the committee will examine the significant challenges that face teaching principals due to the increased administrative burden associated with the role. We will also examine whether there are implications for the quality of teaching due to such challenges given that principals are sometimes taken away from their teaching role, and any potential cost implications and long-term effects for pupils and their families.

On behalf of the committee, I am happy to welcome Mr. Páiric Clerkin, CEO of the Irish Primary Principals Network, IPPN. He is accompanied by Mr. David Ruddy, president of the IPPN. We also have Ms Angela Dunne from the National Principals Forum. She is a teaching principal whom I met some two months ago. I was engaged with the story the teaching principals had to tell us and I put it to the committee that we should include this as an issue to be discussed in the summer school.

Ms Dunne is accompanied by Ms Nóirín Ní Mhaoldhomhnaigh, who is also from the National Principals Forum, and they are both very welcome.

I draw witnesses' attention to the fact that by virtue of 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009 they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If they are directed by the Chair to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they 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.

Any opening statements made to the committee will be published on the committee website after this meeting. I have asked that witnesses try to adhere to three minutes for opening statements. After we hear from Mr. Clerkin and Ms Dunne, we will have the opportunity to refer back to members of the committee for questions and comments, to which witnesses will have the opportunity to respond.

I invite Mr. Clerkin to make his opening statement.