Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman and join her in welcoming Ms Langford and her colleague, Ms McGarry here today. I thank Ms Langford for agreeing to take on this role. Even as a relatively new Deputy, I am aware of Ms Langford's work in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and her record there was exemplary. She was central to the introduction and execution of the free preschool year. I also applaud her work since then, particularly her chairmanship of the CIB and her willingness to take on this new role, which will take up a significant amount of her time. The fact that the position is non-remunerated is a reflection of the public service ethic of Ms Langford. I have no doubt that her vast experience within the Civil Service will serve her and the State well in her role as chairperson of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund. I wish her well and thank her on behalf of the Oireachtas for her commitment and public service. I wish Ms Langford and the board well in their work, which is very important and very appropriate, given the failures of our State vis-à-vis the people this fund is designed to help.