Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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We have a quorum, so I propose that we now resume in public session. I also propose that after hearing the witnesses, we will deal with the minutes, correspondence and reports. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I wish to welcome the following witnesses to the meeting: Dr. Charles Larkin, Dr. Shaen Corbet and Dr. Aedín Doris from NUI Maynooth, in addition to Dr. Darragh Flannery from the University of Limerick. They are here to make presentations on the future funding of higher education, and I thank them for sending on their opening statements concerning the Cassells Report. We have heard from a number of witnesses with whom we have engaged and examined the suggestions put before us. This is obviously a very important issue for the committee, as well as for students and the general public. We therefore need to continue our examination of the varying views.

We should express our thanks to Mr. Peter Cassells and the members of his committee who put a great deal of work, time and energy into producing the report. Ultimately, it will be a matter for the Minister to make his decision but we are conscious that we have an opportunity to comment and make recommendations.

I remind witnesses and members of the committee to turn off their mobile phones because they interfere with the sound system and make it difficult for parliamentary reporters to report the meeting. Phones also interfere with television coverage and the website.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that 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 committee. However, if they are directed by the Chairperson to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I wish to advise the witnesses that their opening statements and submissions to the committee will be published on the committee's website this afternoon. 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Without further ado, we will now start with the opening statements. Dr. Doris and Dr. Flannery have a joint submission.