Colette Kelleher (Independent)
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The next item is engagement with officials from the State Examinations Commission, SEC, and the Department of Education and Skills.

Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and persons in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones. I welcome from the State Examinations Commission Mr. Aidan Farrell, chief executive officer, Dr. Tim Desmond, acting head of the examinations division and Ms Andrea Feeney, director of operations and IT. I welcome from the Department of Education and Skills Mr. Gary Ó Donnchadha, assistant secretary, and Mr. Eamonn Moran, principal officer. I thank them all for their attendance. They have been invited here today to discuss petition number P0013/2017 from Ms Tara O'Sullivan, entitled "Make the new English junior certificate exam fairer by adding 30 minutes". In her petition Ms O'Sullivan requests that the Department consider the possibility of extending the length of time for the junior certificate English paper by 30 minutes to allow the students enough time to complete the paper.

Before we commence, in accordance with procedure I am required to read the following: by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they 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 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. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against either a person outside of the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind our guests that their presentations should be no more than five to ten minutes in duration. The presentations submitted have been circulated to members in advance of the meeting.