Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee I welcome Mr. Adam Harris, chief executive officer, and Mr. Michael O'Flanagan, head of community support, AsIAm; Dr. Fidelma Brady, head of education, and Mr. Turlough Kelly, communication and advocacy manager, Down's Syndrome Ireland; and Ms Derval McDonagh, chief executive officer, and Mr. Guillaume Jacquinot, policy co-ordinator, Inclusion Ireland.

I would not like to say this early in the morning or late at night. It is better to say it now. I hope I got that correct. The witnesses are here today to changes to special education teacher, SET, allocations. This has been in the media for the past number of weeks.

The format of the meeting is that I will invite the witnesses to make a brief opening statement in the following order: Mr. Harris, Dr. Brady and Ms McDonagh. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee. Each member will have approximately six or seven minutes to ask questions and for witnesses to respond. Those who must leave will be in time to get away. Members will direct the questions to the witnesses. I will not have to intervene. If any witness wants to indicate to me I will bring them in. The committee will publish the opening statements on its website following today's meeting.

Before we begin, 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. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges 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 the person or entity. Therefore, if their statement is potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed by the Chair to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with such a direction.

I now ask Mr. Harris to make his opening statement, followed by the other witnesses, Dr. Brady and Ms McDonagh. They have five minutes each. The countdown clock is under the television screens.