John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am Chair of the committee. I had the privilege of working for a previous Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development, former TD Tom Kitt, whom I know the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, has met. We soldiered together in very interesting times.

I am pleased to welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Neale Richmond, who has responsibility for international development and the diaspora. He is the first witness to appear before this committee. This committee was very keen that international development and the diaspora would be the first theme we dealt with. The Minister of State will give an update on his brief to the committee. He and his officials are very welcome to the meeting today. I invite the Minister of State to make his opening statement.