Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Pringle, who is a member of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are turned off as they interfere with the broadcasting system. We are here today to discuss the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, Pillars 1 and 2 - Pillar 1, agriculture, and Pillar 2, rural development programme - and the multi-annual financial framework, MFF, 2021-2027.

Today's meeting is a joint meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Joint Committee on Rural and Community Development. The meeting has been convened to discuss the proposals under the Common Agricultural Policy, covering Pillars 1 and 2, expenditure and implications for the rural development programme, including the LEADER allocation, under the next MFF 2021-2027. Perhaps the most serious issue of all is the budget and how the CAP will be resourced, particularly where there is a distinct possibility there will be reductions over the next period of time.

I am joined by Deputy Joe Carey, who is the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Rural and Community Development. I welcome officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Mr. Colm Hayes, assistant secretary, Ms Sharon Murphy, principal officer, Mr. Jack Nolan, senior inspector, Mr. Fran Morrin, principal officer, and Ms Corina Roe, principal officer. I welcome also from the Department of Rural and Community Development, Mr. William Parnell, assistant secretary, and Mr. J.P. Mulherin, principal officer.

Before we begin I remind witnesses that by virtue of 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence that they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against either a person outside the House or an official, either by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Due to the number of members in attendance here today, I would ask them when making contributions to direct them specifically to the issues being dealt with. We will limit questions to a couple of minutes. We can take a second round of questions, if necessary.

Mr. Hayes will make an opening statement and officials from the Department of Rural and Community Development will answer questions relevant to their Department. I will then call on members who indicate to put their questions. However, before I ask Mr. Hayes to make his opening statement, I will ask the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Rural and Community Development, Deputy Carey, to say a few words.