Deputy Brendan Smith and Senators Frances Black and Denis Landy have sent their apologies for their absence. The UK Parliament has been dissolved so there are no Northern Ireland MPs in attendance. On behalf of myself and the committee, I thank them for their work on the committee over the last year and wish anybody who is contesting the election the best of luck. As Pat Doherty MP is retiring, we wish him the best on his retirement. I also welcome the committee's new clerk, Dervila Flynn, who starts with the committee today. Before we commence our hearings with Conradh na Gaeilge we will go into private session.
Business of Joint Committee
The joint committee went into private session at 2.10 p.m. and resumed in public session at 3.12 p.m.