Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I welcome our witnesses, I want to welcome Janine Keenan from the Holy Family School for the Deaf in Cabra in Dublin 7. I hope you enjoy your time here in the Oireachtas. I know I speak on behalf of all of the parliamentary community when I say that I hope you have a very positive learning experience. Members of this committee visited the Holy Family School for the Deaf in recent months and were very impressed by the standard of education provided there. You are very welcome. It is great to have you here.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome from the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, Professor Emer Smyth, research professor in the social research division and adjunct professor at Trinity College Dublin, and Dr. Merike Darmody. The witnesses are here today to discuss the findings of their report entitled Student Mobility in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The format of the meeting is that I will invite the witnesses to make a brief opening statement. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee. Both Professor Smyth and Dr. Darmody will have a five-minute slot for their opening statements. Which witness wishes to speak first?