Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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We are now in public session. I remind members to ensure their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting. This is because they interfere with broadcasting equipment, even when in silent mode. Are the minutes of the meeting of 25 October 2023 agreed? Agreed.

Today, we are meeting representatives of the active consent programme and the bystander intervention programme. On behalf of the committee, I welcome: Dr. Pádraig MacNeela, senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Galway and co-lead of the active consent programme; Dr. Siobhán O'Higgins from the Department of Psychology at the University of Galway, who is co-lead of the active consent programme; Ms Eve McDowell, advocacy specialist with the active consent programme; Ms Sinéad McGrath, outreach specialist with the active consent programme; Professor Louise Crowley, professor of law and director of the bystander intervention programme at University College Cork, UCC; and Ms Celine Griffin, bystander intervention manager at the bystander intervention programme at UCC.

The witnesses are present to discuss the consent programme in Irish education. The format of the meeting is that I will invite Dr. MacNeela and then Professor Crowley to make brief opening statements of five minutes each. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee. Each committee member has a six-minute slot in which to ask questions and for the witnesses to respond. As witnesses are probably aware, the committee will publish the opening statement on its website following the meeting.

Before we begin, I remind members 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. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary 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, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed by the Chair to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I now invite Dr. MacNeela to make his brief opening statement, followed by Professor Crowley. They both have five minutes.