Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That is very welcome. For the information of members, I will note intending contributors when they raise their hand.

Last week was Irish Sign Language awareness week. Our engagement this morning is coming soon afterwards. The launch of the week, which I attended along with Senator Daly, was a powerful event. You have replicated the impact here this morning for this committee. My understanding is that Irish Sign Language and British Sign Language are formally recognised north of the Border. If that is the case, can you confirm it? Are you in a position to tell us whether this formal recognition has made the critical difference for your counterpart community in the north of the island?

On behalf of the committee, I would like to say that it has been a powerful experience for all of us to be here with you this morning and to have shared this engagement. I have every confidence that in private session later, we will confirm our intent to press for the formal recognition of ISL at the speediest opportunity and I have every confidence in the support of all political opinion represented in the Houses. Can we have a quick response on the situation north of the Border, please?