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

The purpose of this part of the meeting is to have an engagement with stakeholders on digital literacy in adults. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Elizabeth Waters from An Cosán; Mr. George Ryan, chief operating officer, FIT Limited; Dr. Alice Mathers, head of research, the Good Things Foundation; Mr. James Bryant, academic and Trinity College Dublin graduate; Mr. Kevin Marshall, Microsoft Ireland; and Mr. Bill Morrissey, principal officer, and Ms Caroline Henry, assistant principal officer, Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. I will invite witnesses to make a brief opening statement of up to three minutes, which will be followed by an engagement with members of the committee.

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. However, if they are directed by the committee 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 its website after this 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.

Some of the members of the committee have priority questions for the Minister for Education and Skills in the Dáil Chamber at the moment so, unfortunately, they cannot be here. They convey their apologies and may get back in before the end of the session. I invite Ms Waters to make her presentation.