Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We move on to the second session of our resumed discussion on the future of STEM subjects in Irish education. I welcome Professor Lisa Looney, vice president of academic affairs and registrar at Dublin City University, DCU, who is representing the Irish Universities Association, IUA; Dr. Maria Kyne, dean of the faculty of engineering and the built environment at Technological University of the Shannon, TUS, who is representing the Technological Higher Education Association, THEA; and Dr. Mary Kelly, academic dean of Hibernia College, who is representing the Higher Education Colleges Association, HECA.

The format of the session is that I will invite the witnesses to make a brief opening statement of five minutes each, beginning with Professor Looney and followed by Dr. Kyne and Dr. Kelly. The statements will be followed by questions from committee members. The witnesses are advised that their opening statements will be published on the committee website. Witnesses 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 a person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed by the Chair to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that witnesses comply with any such direction.

I invite Professor Looney to give her opening statement.