Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I remind members, witnesses and those in the Gallery to make sure that their mobile phones are turned off. The purpose of the meeting is in keeping with the committee's examination of EU matters in relevant policy areas. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, is here to brief the committee in advance of the next agriculture and fisheries, AGRIFISH, Council meeting and, specifically, on the sea fisheries sustainability impact assessment statement.

Before we begin, 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. Before I ask the Minister to make his opening statement, on the behalf of the committee I would like to sympathise with him on the death of his father yesterday. We all pass on our sympathies to him. I now ask the Minister to make his opening statement.