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

I will add a few comments and questions. I share Deputy Thomas Byrne's thoughts on insurance matters. Is there an element of anti-competitiveness if insurance is to be taken out of, shall we say, the wishes of the operators? Will companies have the option to go with private insurance or will they have to go with the State insurance? I would like feedback on that.

Mr. Anako was talking about protecting students and the fact that, within four days, he was able to get them into other schools. That is great but protecting the teachers is every bit as important. This committee has a strong record and has engaged on supporting teachers and non-teaching staff. Those things are to the forefront of our minds.

I appreciate that Mr. King is going to give us an update. It was agreed in the Seanad debate that the international education mark would not be given unless the employers signed up to support the employees and employment law. I know Mr. King will go back to negotiate with employers about that. I would appreciate feedback about that. I thank Mr. King because I know he has been doing sterling work. We have all heard that and know it is an important role he has.

My final comment is to Ms Farrell about community education. It is the heartbeat of many rural communities. The Longford ladies group made a presentation in Buswell's Hotel last year as part of the Irish Rural Link network. It is a strong organisation. The members of this committee will give their full support to that.

Deputies will have the opportunity to submit amendments to the Bill before Committee Stage next week. We normally ask witnesses at a stakeholder engagement if they would like to send us any further material but, because of the time element, that will not happen in this case. We will have an opportunity and, as Deputy Funchion said, there is no doubt that we all support the inclusion of community employment organisations among the exemptions.

I am going to go back to the stakeholders for feedback now, starting with Mr. Maguire, who might address some of the issues that have been raised.