Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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From the National Learning Network I welcome its director, Ms Lucianne Bird, and Ms Shona Healy, student; from Skillnet Ireland, Ms Tracey Donnery, director of policy and communications; from Eurofound, Dr. Gijs van Houten, senior research manager; and from WorldSkills, Mr. Ray English, chair, and Mr. Sean McLoughlin, apprentice electrician and competitor in the WorldSkills competition. The witnesses are here today to review the European Year of Skills 2023. The format of the meeting is that I will invite witnesses to make a brief opening statement in the following order - Ms Bird, Mr. Morton, Dr. van Houten and Mr. English. This will be followed by questions from each of the committee members. Each member has a five-minute slot in which to put the questions and to get a response from the witnesses. As the witnesses are probably aware, the committee will publish the opening statements on its website following today's meeting.

Before we begin, I remind witnesses 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 may be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in any way in relation to 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 invite Ms Bird to begin, to be followed by the other witnesses. They will each have five minutes. Witnesses should please watch the clock. I will be calling time in five minutes.