Mr. David Cagney:

I thank the Chairperson and members of the committee for the invitation to appear before them today. As the Chair pointed out, I am the chief human resources officer for the civil service in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. During the course of my appearance before them today, I ask members to note I can only speak on matters pertaining to the Civil Service. I realise the remit of this committee extends to the wider public service.

I am joined by my colleague, Mr. Rob O’Toole, principal officer from the Civil Service HR policy division of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as well as Dr. Aodhán Mac Cormaic, director of Irish in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, both of whom work closely together in progressing the current five-year action plan under the Government’s 20-year strategy for the Irish language.

While I have some conversational Irish that I seek continuously to improve, to ensure I can direct my full attention to members’ questions, I invite my colleague, Ms Eva Ní Shuilleabháin, who works in my division, to read the remainder of my opening statement. I would appreciate it if any questions that arise are directed towards me and not Ms Ní Shuilleabháin.