Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Estimates for Public Services 2013
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised)

2:00 pm

Photo of Andrew DoyleAndrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, and his officials. We are meeting to consider the Estimates for Public Services 2013, Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised). The 2013 Revised Estimate was presented to the Dáil in the new programme-based format. This means that the Estimate, as presented, contains the information for each programme on how it is proposed that the money allocated to that programme is to be expended and the previous year's outturn in each case; the numbers of staff assigned to work connected with the programme and how this compares with the previous year; performance-related information; departmental outputs, with corresponding information for the previous year; termed performance and impact indicators, with the previous year's information; the impact, if any, and the value for money of administrative expenditure.

The Revised Estimate gives the committee an opportunity to review whether the targets set and the distribution across the Vote for 2013 is appropriate in all circumstances and can demonstrate the best use of resources. It also gives the committee an opportunity to explore issues facing the Minister with regard to the 2014 allocation for his Department.

A proposed timetable for the consideration of the Revised Estimate has been circulated to Members. It allows for a brief opening statement by the Minister, followed by a discussion of the 2013 Revised Estimate.

I propose that when the Minister has concluded his remarks, we will take questions on each individual programme. The format will be that we will take questions from each member and then an immediate reply from the Minister. We will commence with programme A and then move through the various other programmes in turn. Members should be as succinct as possible in asking their questions in order that we might adhere to the timetable. I call the Minister to make his opening statement.

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