Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 28 February 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Business of Joint Committee

10:30 am

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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I requested that the Minister or some of his officials respond to the horse meat situation. I understand that he cannot do so today.

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Yes, we can come back to the committee.

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Perhaps the Minister and his officials will return to discuss it.

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am in the hands of the committee. As I said in the Dáil yesterday to Deputy Ó Cuív, I have no problem giving any member of the committee, or anybody in the Oireachtas, a briefing in private or in public session here. Obviously there is a scheduling issue for the committee because it will want to ensure that I can attend. I want to come here when we conclude our investigations. We have made good progress. I want to come back here to outline in detail how we have reached conclusions and devised policy decisions because I want to get the committee's input. I have no problem returning but it is a question of when. The committee must decide whether to wait until the investigation has been concluded or to meet before then. I shall accommodate either and I have no problem doing so.

Photo of Andrew DoyleAndrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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We will discuss the matter on Tuesday. I thank the members, the Minister and his officials for their attendance.

The joint committee adjourned at 10.45 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 5 March 2013.