Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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I welcome the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Mr. Tibor Navracsics. The joint committee has been involved in a series of engagements in considering the White Paper on the future of Europe and the issue more widely. The Commissioner's input is timely especially as it comes relatively soon after the Gothenburg social summit. Members of the committee will be interested in his plans to extend the very successful Erasmus programme.

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.

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 it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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, her or it identifiable.

I welcome the Commissioner and invite him to make his opening statement.