Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Before we begin, I ask members, delegates and those in the Visitors Gallery to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the broadcasting of proceedings.

We will consider COM (2015) 177, a proposal for an amended Regulation EC 1829/2003 as regards the possibility for member states to restrict or prohibit the use of genetically modified food and feed on their territories. The officials present are from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine which is the lead Department and the Department of Health. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, have also sent representatives.

From the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine I welcome Mr. Dermot Ryan, deputy chief inspector, Mr. Gerry Lohan, agriculture inspector, feedingstuffs division, Mr. Donal Coleman, senior inspector, crops division, and Ms Sinéad McPhillips, assistant principal, EU and international trade division; from the Department of Health, Mr. Gregory Canning, head of food unit, and Mr. David Maguire, deputy head of food unit; from the Food Safety Authority Ireland, Dr. Patrick O'Mahony, chief specialist of food technology; and, from the EPA, Dr. Thomas McLoughlin, senior biotechnologist. I thank all the representatives for appearing before the committee to brief it on the proposal.

Before we begin, I draw to the attention of witnesses to the fact that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If witnesses are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the 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. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against persons outside the House or an official, either by name, or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

As the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the lead Department, Mr. Dermot Ryan will make the opening statement, followed by the Department of Health and the EPA. I will then open the meeting to the floor and call on the spokespersons to put their questions. I invite Mr. Dermot Ryan to make his opening statement.