Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee, I welcome a transition year student, Alex, to the Public Gallery. He is here to listen to the witnesses and the members. He said he was coming to listen to the Chairman but I am not sure about that. He is very welcome. It is very important we have people from secondary school who come to Leinster House on work experience.

I welcome from the Teachers Union of Ireland, TUI, Mr. Martin Marjoram, president; from the Union of Students in Ireland, USI, Ms Clare Austick, president; from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, education sector group, Mr. Karl Byrne, chairman; from the Irish Federation of University Teachers, IFUT, Mr. Frank Jones, general secretary; from the Irish Research Staff Association, Dr. Andrew P. Allen, chairman; and from Fórsa, Ms Stella Griffin, assistant general secretary with responsibility for higher education. Mr. Byrne will make an opening statement on behalf of the ICTU education sector group, followed by the other union representatives. Ms Griffin will take part in the questions-and-answers session.

The witnesses are here today to discuss the further funding of higher education. The format of the meeting is that I will invite Mr. Marjoram to make a brief opening statement, followed by Ms Austick, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Jones and Dr. Allen. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee and there will be an eight-minute slot for each member's questions and the witnesses' replies. As participants are probably aware, the committee will publish the opening statements to the Oireachtas website following the meeting.

Before I 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, her or it identifiable.

I also remind witnesses 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 or her identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of a person or entity.

If the witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be requested by the Chair to discontinue their remarks, and it is imperative that they comply with such a direction from the Chair.

Unfortunately, we have apologies from a number of Senators, for various reasons. Deputies Alan Farrell and Ó Cathasaigh had previous commitments today but I have no doubt that they will see the opening statements on the public record, along with the back-and-forth of questions. I invite Mr. Marjoram to make his opening statement.