Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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No apologies have been received. Before we begin, members now have the option of being physically present in the committee room or may join the meeting via MS Teams from their Leinster House offices. Members may not participate in the meeting from outside the parliamentary precincts. However, it is important to note that in order to participate in a division in committee, members must be physically present in the committee room. If joining on MS Teams, I ask members to mute their microphones when not contributing and to use the raise hand function to indicate.

Members and all attendees are asked to exercise personal responsibility in protecting themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. They are strongly advised to practise good hand hygiene. Please do not move any chair from its current position. I urge all those present to maintain appropriate levels of social distancing during and after the meeting. Masks, preferably of a medical grade, should be worn at all times during the meeting, except when speaking. I ask for full co-operation in this.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to him, her or it identifiable.

This meeting has been convened to consider the 2022 Revised Estimates of Vote 30, Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which were referred by the Dáil to the committee on 15 December 2021. I welcome the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, and his officials. I note the Minister is accompanied by Dr. Kevin Smyth, assistant secretary; Ms Rebecca Chapman, principal officer; and Mr. Paul McNally, assistant principal. They are all very welcome to this meeting.

I invite the Minister to make his opening statement.