Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The next part of our meeting is with AsIAm, Down Syndrome Ireland, Inclusion Ireland and the Ombudsman for Children, Mr. Niall Muldoon. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Adam Harris, CEO of AsIAm, and Ms Nicola Hart, head of member services of Down Syndrome Ireland. From Inclusion Ireland, I welcome Ms Lorraine Dempsey, interim CEO, and Ms Margaret Turley, both of whom have presented to the committee previously. I also welcome Dr. Niall Muldoon, the Ombudsman for Children.

The witnesses are here today for a round table discussion on the provision of special needs education, with reference to the implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004, the EPSEN Act, something on which the committee has made a priority. The format of the meeting is that I will invite Mr. Harris, followed by Ms Hart and then Ms Turley and Dr. Muldoon, to make brief opening statements to be followed by questions from members of the committee. Each member has a six-minute slot to ask questions and for the witnesses to respond. As the witnesses are probably aware, the committee will publish the opening statements on its website following the meeting.

Before we begin, I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. As the witnesses are giving evidence remotely from a place outside of the parliamentary precincts and, as such, may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present, they have already been advised that they may think it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. The witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity, either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I now call on Mr. Adam Harris to make his opening statement, which will be followed by the statements of Ms Hart, Ms Turley and Dr. Muldoon. They have three minutes each. Ms Turley's statement is particularly important so I will give her a little longer, with the indulgence of my colleagues on the committee. I now hand over to Mr Harris.