Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá fír fáilte romhaibh go dtí an cruinniú choiste seo. Before we begin, I point out that members have the option to be physically present in the committee room or may join the meeting via Microsoft Teams from their Leinster House offices. Members may not participate in the meeting from outside the parliamentary precincts. However, it is important to note that to participate in a division, or vote, committee members must be physically present in the committee room. I do not believe any members are joining the meeting via Microsoft Teams but if they do, I ask that they please mute their microphones. If they use the raise hand function to indicate, it will be brought to my attention.

Members are reminded of the long-standing 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, her or it identifiable.

This meeting has been convened to consider the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2025, Vote 29 - Climate, Energy and the Environment: programme C10, marine spatial planning; C11, the Marine Area Regulatory Authority, MARA; and Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine: programme D, seafood sector.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Timmy Dooley, who is Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. From the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, he is accompanied by Ms Sinéad McSherry, assistant secretary general, and Ms Siobhán Dowling, principal officer. From the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, we have in attendance Mr. Jim Whelan, principal officer, and Mr. Joe Gallagher, assistant principal officer. The officials are all very welcome to the meeting.

I remind members that, while the Minister of State may call on his officials to speak briefly for clarification purposes during the meeting where a specific or technical point arises, the Minister of State is the witness, whereas the officials are not. The officials can clarify issues for the committee but any follow-up questions from members should be put to the Minister of State directly as he is the accountable person before the committee.

The Minister of State's opening statements have been forwarded to members. As the time for discussion is limited, I will allow him five minutes because there are two opening statements, giving a synopsis of the two Revised Estimates. We will proceed to the question-and-answer session immediately thereafter.