Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Senator Eileen Flynn.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Michael Ryan, national head of mental health engagement and recovery at the HSE; Dr. Joseph Duffy, CEO of Jigsaw; Dr. Joseph Morning, mental health content editor at SpunOut; Mr. Mark Smyth, past president of the Psychological Society of Ireland; and Ms Trish Murphy, acting director of the student counselling service and student learning development in Trinity College Dublin, representing the Irish Council for Psychotherapy. Mental Health Ireland has sent its apologies as a representative could not attend today, but it has made a comprehensive written submission, which we all have had the opportunity to read.

The witnesses are here for a round-table discussion on the future funding of higher education. The format of the meeting is that I will invite Mr. Ryan to make a brief opening statement, followed by Dr. Duffy, Dr. Morning, Mr. Smyth and, finally, Ms Murphy. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee. Each member will have an eight-minute slot to ask questions and for the witnesses to respond. As we have a sizeable number of witnesses, I will try to keep strictly to the time slots. I am conscious and wish to bear in mind that two of our witnesses will have to leave before 1.30 p.m.

As everyone will be aware, the committee will publish the opening statements on its website following the meeting.

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 or her identifiable. Witnesses 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 or her 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 respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

I now ask the witnesses to make their opening statements in the order I outlined a few moments ago. They have five minutes each. Mr. Ryan, the floor is yours.