Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 22 June 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills

School Bullying and the Impact on Mental Health: Discussion (Resumed)

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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On behalf of the committee, I give a warm welcome to the following witnesses from the Department of Education: Mr. Paraic Joyce, principal officer; Ms Yvonne Keating, deputy chief inspector; Ms Anne Tansey, director of the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS; Ms Anne Murray, principal officer; and Ms Chris Kelly, principal officer.

They are here to brief the committee on the current initiatives and future plans regarding school bullying and the impact on mental health. The format of the meeting is I will invite Mr. Joyce to make an opening statement, to be followed by questions from members of the committee. Each member has five minutes for questions and responses. The witnesses are probably aware that the committee will publish the opening statement on the website following the meeting.

Before proceeding, I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect of they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses of the Oireachtas or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Witnesses are giving evidence remotely from a place outside of the parliamentary precincts and, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present does. Witnesses have already been advised of this issue and they may believe it appropriate to take legal advice on same. I remind witnesses of the long-standing practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of a person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory regarding an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed by me to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.