Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind members to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment. I ask that the witnesses put their mobile phones on silent mode.

Are minutes of the meeting of 17 May agreed to? Agreed.

The meeting between World Skills Ireland and the Minister for Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, is between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Minister will be before the committee at 1 p.m.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Michael Hourihan, official delegate, Mr. Ray English, official delegate, Ms Natalia Leane, 2021 cookery competitor, Mr. Mark McSherry, 2021 bricklaying competitor, Ms Megan Yeates, 2019 logistics competitor and Mr. Patrick Twomey, 2019 metal fabrication competitor. The witnesses are here today today to discuss the future funding of higher education. The format of the meeting is that I will invite Mr. Hourihan and Mr. English to make brief opening statements of five minutes each. They will share ten minutes. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee. Each member will have an eight-minute slot for members to pose questions to the witness and for the witness to reply. I therefore ask members and witnesses to keep an eye on the stopwatches which are below the television screens. As witnesses are probably aware, the committee will publish the opening statement on its website following today's meeting.

Before we 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 House, or an official, either 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 relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed by the Chair to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I thank the witnesses for coming here today. I hope that the discussion will be of a productive nature and that it will inform our members of the important work that World Skills Ireland does. I invite Mr. Hourigan to deliver his opening statement.