Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this part of the meeting is to have an engagement with stakeholders on adult literacy. I apologise that there will be a clash with priority questions to the Minister for Education and Skills. A number of committee members have questions to ask but we hope they will return to the meeting when they have finished.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Cróna Gallagher, director of further education and training at Donegal Education and Training Board, ETB, representing Education and Training Boards Ireland, ETBI; Ms Inez Bailey, CEO of the National Adult Literary Agency, NALA; and Mr. Phil O'Flaherty, principal officer at the Department of Education and Skills. A number of guests are also sitting in the Public Gallery. I will invite our guests to make a brief opening statement that will be followed by an engagement with members of the committee.

Before I begin, I draw witnesses' attention 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. If, however, they are directed to cease giving evidence in respect of a particular matter and they continue to do, 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 the 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 they make to the committee will be published on the website after the meeting.

Members are advised 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 in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms Gallagher to make her opening statement.