Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Ann O'Dwyer, director of schools at Kerry Education and Training Board, representing Education and Training Board Ireland, ETBI; Mr. Seamus Mulconry, general secretary of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association, CPSMA; and Mr. John Curtis, general secretary of the Joint Managerial Body, JMB. It is good to see familiar faces from my previous term on the education committee. They are people who serve us very well. We have all had a very difficult and strange 14 months since we last spoke.

The witnesses are here to brief the committee on the impact on mental health of school bullying. The format of the meeting is that I will invite Ms O'Dwyer to make an opening statement, and this will be followed by Mr. Mulconry and Mr. Curtis. The statements will be followed by questions from members of the committee, with each member having a six-minute slot to ask questions and for the witnesses to respond. I would appreciate members respecting the time limit.

Witnesses are probably aware that the committee will publish the opening statements on its website following the meeting. Before beginning, 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 witnesses are giving evidence remotely from outside of the parliamentary precinct, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present. Witnesses have already been advised that they may think it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity 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 a person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory with regard to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction. I ask members, when it is their turn to speak, to confirm that they are in the precincts of Leinster House or the convention centre, which is considered part of the precincts.

I call Ms O'Dwyer to make her opening statement. The witnesses have three minutes each.