Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask committee members and witnesses to switch off their phones. I wish to inform members the Minister has another appointment and a vote is likely to be called on the Order of Business in the Dáil. I welcome the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, and his officials to the meeting. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

The purpose of the meeting is to consider the proposal that section 17A of the Diseases of Animal Act 1966 shall continue in force for the period ending 8 March 2014.