Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank everyone very much for being with us. We really appreciate everyone joining us. Members have the option of being physically present or may join the meeting via Microsoft Teams from Leinster House offices but may not participate in the meeting from outside parliamentary precincts. If joining on Teams, please mute microphones and use the raise-hand function to indicate. In order to limit the risk of spreading Covid-19, please note that the Service encourages all members, visitors and witnesses to continue to wear face masks when moving around the campus or when in close proximity to others, and to adhere to public health advice.

Today's meeting will be in two sessions. In the first session, we will discuss with the Minister for Education, Deputy Norma Foley, the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality on norms and stereotypes and education, recommendations 26 to 31. In the second session, beginning at 11 a.m., we will meet with Dr. Katriona O'Sullivan and representatives of women in research Ireland to discuss the same topic.

I offer a warm welcome to the Minister, Deputy Foley, and her officials from the Department of Education. We are very grateful to her for engaging with us. The Minister is accompanied by Mr. Dalton Tattan, assistant secretary general, management board; Mr. Martin McLaughlin, principal officer, initial teacher education and professional development; Ms Orlaith O’Connor, assistant chief inspector, inspectorate; Ms Karen Murtagh, assistant principal officer, curriculum and assessment policy unit, and Mr. Ronan Kielt, assistant principal officer, curriculum and assessment policy unit.

Before we begin, I will read an important notice on parliamentary privilege. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person or entity in such a way as to make them identifiable.

I call on the Minister, Deputy Foley, to make an opening statement. I will then open the floor to members for questions and answers. We very much appreciate the Minister joining us. We have taken a view as a committee that the 45 recommendations of the citizens' assembly will be taken as a blueprint for the achievement of gender equality in Ireland. We are taking a practical approach and hope to produce an action plan by the end of our term, which will be this December, as to how those recommendations may be implemented. We are grateful to the Minister for engaging with us on the recommendations that are specifically related to the Department of Education, that is, recommendations 26 to 31, on norms and stereotypes of education.