Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The second item is a Supplementary Estimate for Public Services 2021, Vote 30 - Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which was referred to the select committee by the Dáil on 17 November.

I welcome the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, and his officials. He is accompanied by Dr. Kevin Smyth, assistant secretary general and chief financial officer; Ms Rebecca Chapman, principal officer, finance division; and Mr. Paul McNally also from the finance division. They are all very welcome to the meeting.

Members have been circulated, in advance, with briefing material from the Department on the Supplementary Estimate. I call on the Minister to make his opening statement.