Mr. Hugh O'Reilly-Fitzgerald:

My name is Hugh O'Reilly-Fitzgerald and I am the Cork city representative on the Comhairle na nÓg national executive. Comhairle na nÓg is a network of local councils for children and young people aged 12 to 17 years to give them a voice on issues which affect them. The Comhairle na nÓg national executive has one representative from each of the 31 groups around the country. They work on recommendations from Dáil na nÓg and make changes for people in those areas. We meet monthly and have a two-year term of office.

I am joined by Ms Niamh Bakker from Laois, Ms Kate Lehane from Fingal, Ms Kate Lancaster-Ryan from Sligo, and Mr. Craig Smith and Ms Brigid O'Sullivan from the Comhairle in Waterford and County Cork who will discuss the results of the survey.

They will present the results of a survey that is unprecedented in size in its field. It was undertaken by some 3,242 people around the country. It is not possible to present all the data today but we will give its most important findings. My colleagues will highlight some of the findings which we felt was most significant about how young people are taught and how they learn in the classroom but members should be aware that there is much more data available. The survey asked 59 questions and the responses were analysed by gender, school year and the type of school. We urge all committee members to read the full report which was officially launched on 6 November at Firhouse Community College by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton, and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Katherine Zappone.

I will now hand over to Ms Bakker who will discuss the first part of the survey.