Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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On behalf of the committee, cuirim fáilte roimh na fhínne atá againn anseo anocht. On behalf of the committee, I welcome from the Teaching Council: Dr. Lynn Ramsey, director; Ms Phil Fox, deputy director; Ms Bríd Murphy, head of initial teacher education and induction; and Ms Siobhán Healy, head of registration.

The officials are here today to brief us on the following key issues: recognition of international qualifications; the requirements to teach in a restricted setting; cost of registration for foreign teachers; the need for legislative change to allow technological universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in teacher training recognised by the Teaching Council; provision of teacher conversion courses for PhD holders and masters graduates to fast-track their entry into the teaching profession; and delays in registration of teachers returning from abroad.

I will invite Dr. Ramsey to make a brief opening statement. That will be followed by questions from the members. Given the time constraints, each member has a five-minute slot to ask questions. The committee will publish the opening statement on its website following the 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 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 relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I ask Dr. Ramsey to begin. She has five minutes.