Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We will resume in public session to discuss what it takes to maintain viable rural communities with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Heather Humphreys.

I welcome the Minister again. I also welcome the Minister of State at the Department, Deputy Michael Ring. We are also joined today by Mr. Aodhán MacCormaic, stiúrthóir na Gaeilge, Ms Sinéad Copeland, principal officer, Mr. J.P. Mulherin, principal officer and Mr. William Parnell, assistant secretary, at the aforementioned Department. I thank everyone for their attendance today.

I have already read out the information regarding defamation and privilege and there is no necessity for me to read it out again. However, I ask everyone to be conscious of what they say at this meeting and to take direction from the Chairman.

I now invite the Minister to address the committee.