Mr. Feargal Ó Coigligh:

No, but I am now. I am legally accountable for the Department and for its actions. I speak for the Department. In light of these failings, we are taking measures to ensure they do not happen again and to make sure we have the skills, processes and resources to fulfil our functions to the highest degree. For example, in relation to ICT projects, we have put in place a tracker whereby a project of this nature which is funded by the Department is brought to the attention of the management board at least twice a year. I have put in place a brand new governance unit, staffed by one of our most senior principal officers, to bring both consistency and high-quality oversight to our functions.

I have recognised the issues that have arisen in this report and have addressed them. We will address them further. We are working with the Institute of Public Administration to review work it did last year, which I also commissioned as a result of the issues that arose in RTÉ. That was commissioned to make sure we are implementing those changes and to make sure any other issues that arise from this report and, indeed, the work of Professor Niamh Brennan, is addressed by the Department.

To put that in context, the Department is going through a significant transformation. We have lost our tourism and Gaeltacht functions. We have been given a communications function, which involves a significant body of more than 100 staff. That is a major economic function. As an organisation, we are going through significant change. As Accounting Officer and Secretary General, I have to make sure that we are fit for purpose to deliver the services we are charged with delivering. I am absolutely determined to do that.