Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputies Cairns, Canney, Phelan and Wynne, and Senators Higgins, McGreehan and O'Loughlin.

The purpose of today's meeting is to resume our discussion on aligning education with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Kerry Lawless, Ms Catherine Kelly, Mr. Barry McGinn and Ms Paula Prendeville. Brid and Ms Madeline Hickey are also with us.

I remind members that they are only allowed to participate in the meeting when physically present within the Leinster House complex. In this regard, members who are joining us remotely must confirm they are on the grounds of Leinster House prior to their contribution. Ms Wendy Newman is here with us in the committee room and the other witnesses are accessing the meeting remotely. I ask people to bear with us if there are any technical issues.

Before we commence formal proceedings, I must begin with some formalities and advise our witnesses on privilege. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you should not criticise or make charges against any persons or entities by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I must advise the witnesses giving evidence from outside of the parliamentary precinct that the constitutional protection afforded to witnesses attending to give evidence before committees may not extend to them. No clear guidance can be given on whether or the extent to which the evidence is covered by absolute privilege of a statutory nature. Persons giving evidence from outside the jurisdiction must be mindful of the domestic statutory regime. If you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter, you must respect that decision.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make a charge against a person or entity outside the Houses in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.