Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today's meeting is with the officials from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; the Higher Education Authority, HEA; and Quality and Qualifications Ireland, QQI. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Tanya Kenny, principal officer, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Mr. Tim Conlon, head of policy and strategic planning, HEA; and Dr. Bryan Maguire, director of quality assurance, QQI. The officials are here today for pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Higher Education Authority Bill 2021. The format of the meeting is that I will ask Ms Kenny to make a brief opening statement, followed by Mr. Conlon and Dr. Maguire. The statements will be followed by questions from members of the committee. Each member has a six minute slot to ask questions and for a witness to respond. I would ask witnesses and members to be cognisant of the six-minute limit as I will curtail them after that. 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 of the Oireachtas or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. The 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 from legal proceedings as a witness physically present does. They 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 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 call on Ms Kenny to make her opening statement.