Mr. Bill Callanan:

I will deal with the questions in the order they were asked. In regard to Senator Mulherin's question about the commentary on the Citizens' Assembly, as I said at the outset it is difficult for us as civil servants to comment on that process. We understand that a report will issue in due course to the Houses of the Oireachtas, which will be debated. We will take our cue in terms of approaches from that debate.

In regard to the recognition of the duality of food and environment ambitions, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has to been to the fore, including at European level, in terms of ensuring that this is recognised. As I set out in my opening remarks, the Council conclusion is that the requirement for the duality of food production and environmental positivities is recognition of the effort that is being made at Government level to ensure that voice is heard.