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

I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode because, as we know, they interfere with the sound system and make it difficult for parliamentary reporters to report the meeting. Television coverage and web-streaming may be adversely affected.

We will resume our engagement on the uptake of uptake of apprenticeships and traineeships. We had the opportunity to engage with four sets of stakeholders last week. The discussion was certainly very informative and interesting so it is good to have the opportunity to have four more individuals representing their august bodies today. We already agreed we would have some written correspondence from other individuals. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Peter Davitt, CEO of FIT Limited, and Mr. Tony Donohoe, head of education and social policy in IBEC. Mr. Donohoe has been before us on a number of occasions and is very welcome back. Also joining us are Dr. Phillip Smyth, head of Shannon College of Hotel Management, and Ms Nessa White, the relatively new general secretary of Education and Training Boards Ireland, ETBI. This is our first opportunity to wish Ms White well in her appointment. We wished her predecessor, Mr. Michael Moriarty, well on his retirement on his last occasion to appear before the committee. I will invite each witness to make an opening statement no longer than three minutes, to be followed by engagement with the members.

I draw the attention of witnesses 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. If, however, they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They 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 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call on Mr. Davitt to make his opening statement on behalf of FIT.