Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I remind members to ensure their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when on silent mode.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome the following representatives from the USI: Mr. Chris Clifford, national president; Mr. Bryan O'Mahony, deputy president and vice president, academic affairs; Ms Emma Monahan, vice president, Dublin region; Ms Niamh Doherty, vice president, welfare; Ms Lucrecia Luna Smee, vice president, welfare, University College Cork Students’ Union; and Ms Ema Radlinskaite, vice president, communications and media, TU Dublin Students' Union. The witnesses are here to discuss financial supports for tertiary level students to include available grants, the duplication of applications, the assessment of parental income and key recommendation 6 in the joint committee report Future Funding of Higher Education.

The format of the meeting is that I will invite Mr. Clifford to make an opening statement, to be followed by questions from members of the committee. Given the time constraints, each member has a five-minute slot in which to ask questions to the witnesses. As they are probably aware, the committee will publish the opening statement on its website following the meeting.

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 or entity outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect 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 their statements are potentially defamatory with regard to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

With those formalities out of the way, I invite Mr. Clifford to make his opening statement.