Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Senator Fiona O'Loughlin. Senator Malcolm Byrne is attending in her place. I remind members to ensure their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment of the House, even when on silent mode.

The draft minutes of the meeting of 14 June have been circulated. Are the minutes agreed to? Agreed.

The first session will be with the Minister of State with responsibility for special education and inclusion, Deputy Josepha Madigan. The second session will be with Fórsa, the trade union, and a representative group of special needs assistants, SNAs. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, and her officials to discuss the need for revised criteria for the qualifications of special needs assistants.

As for the format of the meeting, I will invite the Minister of State to make a brief opening statement for five minutes, which will be followed by questions from members. Each member will have a five-minute slot because the Minister of State has to leave at noon. We have about 55 minutes. I ask members and the Minister of State to stick rigidly to their five-minute slots. If I interject, it is because I want to give every member an opportunity to ask their questions. As everyone will be aware, the committee will publish the opening statement 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 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 to discontinue their remarks. That applies to all members.

I thank the Minister of State for attending. I remind members that I want to stick to the topic we are here to discuss, namely, the revised criteria for special needs assistants, because we only have 55 minutes and we have another group appearing before us later.