Go raibh míle maith agaibh as ucht an cuireadh teacht anseo inniu. Táim thar a bheith sásta bheith libh chun labhairt faoi tosaíochtaí straitéiseacha na Roinne agus ár freagra ar an bpaindéim COVID. I intend to address the Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Media while my colleague Minister of State Jack Chambers will address matters related to Sport and the Gaeltacht.
The sectors under the aegis of my Department are among the most severely impacted by the global pandemic and associated public health measures. Unfortunately, as the pandemic continues, we are likely to continue to experience these significant and negative impacts. As such, I am very pleased to have this opportunity to address the Committee in relation to the important challenges facing our sectors, as well as opening a dialogue on the strategic priorities for the Department as we turn our faces to the future and recovery.