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

I thank Deputy Jan O'Sullivan for deputising for me earlier.

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

We have reached No. 6 on the agenda, which is our third session on engagement with stakeholders on reduced timetables. Two weeks ago, we had the first two of three sessions on this. On behalf of the committee, I welcome those who are witnesses and stakeholders today: Mr. Adam Harris from AsIAm; Mr. Bernard Joyce, chief executive officer, CEO, of the Irish Traveller Movement; Ms Caroline Keane, manager and solicitor with Community Law and Mediation, Limerick; Ms Orla Hanahoe, principal of Scoil Cnoc Mhuire; Ms Mary Byrne, head of special education with the National Council for Special Education, NCSE. We will take those witnesses first and then have questions from the members of the committee. Following that, we will hear from Dr. Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children; Mr. Noel Kelly, Tusla; and Ms Mary Cregg, principal officer, social inclusion, and Mr. Eddie Ward, principal officer, special education, Department of Education and Skills.

The format of the meeting is that I will invite all the witnesses to make a brief opening statement. I ask them to stick to the maximum time of three minutes because there are quite a number of witnesses. There will then be an engagement with committee members. We will break this into two sessions.

Before we begin, I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, 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. 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. I advise them that 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 Mr. Adam Harris to make his presentation.