Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses. From the Teachers' Union of Ireland, we have Mr. David Duffy, education and research officer, and Ms Anne Howard, assistant general secretary. From Fórsa we have Ms Linda Kelly, national secretary of the health and welfare division, and Mr. Andy Pike, head of education. From the Irish Primary Principals' Network, we are joined by Mr. Páiric Clerkin, CEO, and Ms Caroline Quinn, leadership team support.

For the information of the witnesses, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references they may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of that person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. Before we hear from our witnesses, I propose that we publish their opening statements and submissions on the committee website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I will now invite our witnesses to make their opening statements. First, we will hear from the TUI, which represents 19,000 teachers and lecturers in the Irish public education sector. It is the third teachers' union to have met our committee. We would like to hear how education and inclusion is working out in practice and what the is role for special schools and special classes, as well as mainstream classes. I invite Mr. Duffy and Ms Howard to make their opening statements.