Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I remind all those present to turn off their mobile phones completely, as they interfere with the broadcasting of proceedings.

The purpose of the meeting is to conduct a review of the position on expenditure under Vote 30 in 2014 for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and consider the Department's proposals for 2015. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, and thank him for appearing before the joint committee. I also extend a welcome to his officials and thank them for the briefing material supplied to the committee.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

We agreed to the format of the meeting in private session. I understand the Minister will make an opening statement, following which we will try to deal with sub-programmes A to D, inclusive, individually, assigning approximately 30 minutes to each. If we are not too constrained by time at the end, we can have a discussion on the overall budgetary position. I invite the Minister to make his opening statement.