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

We are now moving on to No. 2 on our agenda, which is engagement with the chairperson designate of the Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Mr. Fintan Moloney. I am conscious that Mr. Moloney has to get a flight later today. The purpose of the meeting is to engage with Mr. Moloney in advance of his proposed reappointment as chairman of the governing body of the Letterkenny Institute of Technology. This is an opportunity for the committee to discuss his vision and his priorities in the short and medium term and any challenges facing the institute. On behalf of the committee I welcome him. I ask him to make a brief statement and members will then have the opportunity to engage with him.

I wish to draw Mr. Moloney's 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 joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence.

I advise witnesses that any opening statement made will be published on the committee's website after the 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 Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Moloney to make his opening statement.