Paul Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the witnesses and warmly welcome them. In contrast to the remarks of my good friend and colleague on slowing this down in any way, I would suggest the opposite. It was at my invitation that we had the group in here over a year ago to discuss this matter. What came from that and the evidence given by those people, including Teagasc, was the need for what we are discussing. Even without meeting anyone in the committee now or knowing the slightest thing about NGT or GMO, we see the evidence of climate change and crops struggling in drought. When we have this process, which is not GMO, it is just modifying the actual crop. Dr. O’Reilly will be able to explain it better than I can but it expedites what can happen naturally but happens naturally too slowly for the crops to catch up and survive in changing conditions. That is one example. It will also create varieties of crops that will reduce the need for pesticides. The people we had before us on the previous occasion requested that we ask the Department to go to Europe in order to expedite the changes and get this whole NGT area out of the GMO category. That was the ruling of the court, namely that, unfortunately, it was still in it.

I am seeking a couple of clarifications. Along with the opening statement, we got a briefing note which did contain a great deal of information. Much of the information Senator Boyhan is looking for is contained in that briefing note. In layman’s terms, will Dr. O’Reilly explain the difference between categories 1 and 2. My reading of category 1 is that it is what will and can happen naturally and that category 2 is when this is expedited. Maybe I am wrong.

Will Dr. O’Reilly also explain if it is the case that category 1 is outside GMO legislation now or is that what is proposed going forward? If it is currently outside it, will he give examples of what systems are in place that can be used now before the Parliament reconvenes and we get this over the line?