Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the witnesses and thank them for attending. I will start with Mr. Ó Lionáin or Ms Gleeson.

Representatives of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth appeared before the Committee of Public Accounts three or four weeks ago in the context of the Ukrainian crisis and accommodation. They stated that the contracts of 141 hotels were due to expire at the end of March and that, of those 141, just 51 had agreed to extend the contract. Does the Department have an update on those figures? I am sure it has been engaging with the other Department. Have the numbers increased? The representatives stated also that, at a conservative estimate, it would equate to 3,000 beds, although there were reports it could amount to upwards of 17,000. These figures relate to hotels alone, but in respect of tourism accommodation in general, how many operators have decided they will not renew their contracts? What will that mean for the release of tourism beds? Is there a timeframe for all this?