Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, and his officials. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the 2013 allocation for the Estimate of Vote 30 - Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine. I remind Members and witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to switch off their mobile telephones. I remind Members of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Members will be aware that in December 2011 the Government published its comprehensive expenditure report. That report sets out the Government's decision on expenditure ceilings of each Department for each of the years 2012 to 2014. It indicates specific measures to be introduced by Departments to achieve necessary savings and to remain within their ceilings for 2012 and 2013. This is a first for all of us. I invite the Minister to make his opening comments following which I will open the meeting to Members to tease out some of the issues.