Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Leddin. I ask members to turn off mobile phones. They must sit in designated seats in the Dáil Chamber or may join remotely from elsewhere in the parliamentary precincts. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

This meeting has been convened to consider the Revised Estimate: Vote 30 - agriculture, food and the marine, which was referred to the select committee by the Dáil on 16 December. I welcome the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and his officials, Dr. Kevin Smyth, assistant secretary general; Ms Rebecca Chapman, principal officer, finance division; and Mr. Tom Corkery, assistant principal officer. It is a very challenging time for the agriculture, food and marine sectors, not least because of the impact of Covid-19, Brexit and climate action. Today's meeting provides an opportunity to scrutinise the level of funding allocated for 2021 and a valuable opportunity to engage with the Minister.

We will deal with Vote 30 on a programme-by-programme basis. Due to time constraints, the Minister will forgo making the opening statement which has been circulated to members. There are four programmes. We will consider each separately with questions from committee members.

The Department circulated briefing materials on the Revised Estimate to members in advance. I ask the Minister to say a few words.