Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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The committee convenes to have a discussion on the draft curriculum specifications at primary level. On behalf of the committee, I welcome from the Department of Education Mr. Dalton Tattan, assistant secretary, Ms Evelyn O'Connor, principal officer, and Dr. Noreen Fiorentini, principal divisional inspector; and from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, Ms Arlene Forster, CEO, Dr. Patrick Sullivan, deputy CEO, and Dr. Derek Grant, director of the NCCA. The officials are here to brief the committee on the update of the draft curriculum specifications at primary level.

The format of the meeting is that I will invite Mr. Tattan and Ms Forster to make their opening statements and this will be followed by questions from members of the committee. Given the time constraints and the fact we have two sessions, each member has a five-minute slot to ask questions and for the officials to respond. As the witness will probably be aware, the committee will publish the opening statements on its website following the meeting.

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

The 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 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. With those formalities dispensed of, I ask Mr. Tattan to make his opening statement.