Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Ba mhaith liom tús a chur leis an gcruinniú inniu agus cuirim fáilte roimh chách. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. The opening statements submitted to the committee will be published on its website after the meeting.

Members are reminded 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. I reiterate what I said earlier. At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, members, delegates and those in the Visitors Gallery are asked to ensure that for the duration of the meeting their mobile phones are turned off completely or switched to airplane or flight mode, depending on their device. Leaving them in silent mode is not sufficient as they will still interfere with the broadcasting and recording systems.

Do na baill nach bhfuil Gaeilge ar a gcumas acu, there are headsets on the desks if they wish to hear the simultaneous interpretation. They are asked not to unplug the headsets at any time.

We will consider developments in Irish language education.

The state and effectiveness of Irish language education has a significant bearing not just in the context of the preparation of students for exams but on the welfare of the language generally, the general appreciation of the part of the public of the language and the prospects for the language in the future. Chun an scéil seo a phlé, tá áthas orm fáilte a ghabháil roimh Ms Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin agus Ms Nóra Ní Loingsigh ó Gaelscoileanna Teoranta, Ms Muireann Ní Mhóráin ón gComhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, Ms Áine Ní Neachtain ó Thuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta agus Dr. Tony Gaynor agus Mr. Pádraig Mac Fhlannchadha agus Ms Elaine Ní Neachtain ón Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna.

Cloisimid ó Ms Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin ó Gaelscoileanna Teoranta ar dtús.