Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Professor Barbara Dooley, deputy president and acting registrar at UCD and chair of the IUA registrars group, representing the Irish Universities Association; Ms Treasa Fox, head of the student counselling service at the Athlone campus of the Technological University of the Shannon, TUS, representing the Technological Higher Education Association, THEA; and Ms Patricia O Sullivan, executive director, Higher Education Colleges Association, HECA.

I will invite our guests to make a brief opening statements starting with Professor Dooley, Ms Fox and finally Ms O'Sullivan. The opening statements will be followed by questions from the members of the committee. As everyone is probably aware, the committee will publish the opening statements on its website later.

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. I remind our witnesses 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. If their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with such direction.

I invite Professor Dooley to begin. She will be followed by Ms Fox and Ms O'Sullivan. They have five minutes each.