Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee, I welcome the following: Professor James O'Higgins Norman, UNESCO chair of tackling bullying and cyberbullying; Dr. Angela Mazzone, chair of the Research Observatory on Cyberbullying, Cyberhate and Online Harassment; Dr. Mairéad Foody, Marie Curie research fellow; Dr. Seline Keating, research fellow in social, personal and health education, SPHE, and well-being; Dr. Alan Gorman, research fellow in anti-bullying policy and practice; and Mr. Darran Heaney, MSc, project manager. They are all from the National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre at DCU. The witnesses are attending to brief the committee on school bullying and its impact on mental health. Before I begin, I thank the centre for its invaluable assistance to the committee. Our seminal meeting with the centre on 5 November had a profound impact, as evidenced by the extensive media coverage seen in recent months. Our examination followed on from that meeting. I am speaking on behalf of the committee when I say that it has proved a worthwhile and important piece of work.

The format of the meeting is that I will invite Professor O'Higgins Norman to make an opening statement, which will be followed by questions from members of the committee. Each member has a six-minute slot to ask questions and the witness will respond within those six minutes. If there is time left over, I will allow members to contribute again. As Professor O'Higgins Norman is probably aware, the committee will publish his opening statement on our website following the meeting.

Before I begin, I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect of 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. Witnesses are giving evidence remotely from a place outside of the parliamentary precincts and, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity as a witness who is physically present does. Witnesses have already been advised of this issue and they may believe it appropriate to take legal advice on same. I remind witnesses of the long-standing 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 or her 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 regarding an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed by me to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I call Professor O'Higgins Norman to make his opening statement.