Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are joined by Mr. Peter Brown, director at the Irish Research Council, IRC; Dr. Ciarán Seoighe, deputy director general at Science Foundation Ireland, SFI; Dr. Arjumand Younus, co-director of Women in Research Ireland; Mr. Tony Donohoe, policy advisor at the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, IBEC; Mr. Neil McDonnell, chief executive of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises, ISME; Dr. Emer Smyth, research professor in the social research division and growing up in Ireland of the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI; and Dr. Niall Kennedy, founding member of the Irish Precarity Network.

The witnesses are here to discuss future funding for higher education. The form of the meeting is I will ask Mr. Brown to make a brief opening statement, to be followed by Dr. Seoighe, Dr. Younus, Mr. Donohoe, Mr. McDonnell, Dr. Emer Smyth and Dr. Kennedy. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee, with each member having an eight-minute slot for the questions to be asked and for witnesses to respond. There are timers on the screen so the witnesses and members might keep a close eye on them.

As witnesses are probably aware, the committee will publish opening statements on the 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, 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.

Mr. Brown is giving evidence remotely from a location outside parliament precincts and as such may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present does. He has already been advised on this matter. I invite him to give his evidence