Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Cliona Cassidy, chairman designate of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, and thank her for attending. Members will be aware of the Government's decision in May 2011 to put new arrangements in place for the appointment of persons to State boards and bodies. The committee welcomes the opportunity to meet the chairman designate in public session to hear her views. We trust this provides greater transparency to the process of making appointments to State boards. I will take as read the issues already stated and the technical stuff because Ms Cassidy has been in the Gallery to hear it. I invite her to make her opening remarks.