Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is fine.

I welcome Mr. Andrew Brownlee, chief executive office of SOLAS, who was with us on the day representatives from WorldSkills were before the committee. He is welcome before us again. We also welcome Ms Mary-Liz Trant, who looks after apprenticeships for SOLAS and Ms Beatrice Dooley, who is the President of the Institute Guidance Counsellors, a group of people who play a large role in giving information to young people and helping to provide them with a pathway.

I will invite our guests to make a brief opening statement, which will be followed by an engagement with the members of the committee. I will ask our guests to make a three-minute statement and there will then be an opportunity for questions and follow-up with the committee.

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 committee 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 also advise our guests that any opening statements they make to the committee will be published on the committee website after this 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call on Mr. Andrew Brownlee from SOLAS to make his opening statement.