Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 2000 > Committee on Agriculture, Food and Marine > Annual Report of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and Marine, 2000

TITHE AN OIREACHTAIS

TUARASCÁIL BHLIANTÚIL

ón gComhchoiste um Thalmhaíocht, Bia agus an Mhuir Obair an Chomhchoiste

ANNUAL REPORT

of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine Work of the Joint Committee

NOV. 1999 – DEC. 2000

Table of Contents

1. Content and Format of Report

This report has been prepared pursuant to paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Standing Order 79A, Dáil Éireann and paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Standing Order 63, Seanad Éireann which provides for Joint Committee reports and work programmes as follows–

•review of its procedure and its role

•annual work programme

•laying minutes of proceedings

•making an annual report.

The Committee approved the annual report at its meeting on 27^th March, 2002

2. Functions and Powers of the Joint Committee

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine was established by Order of Dáil Éireann of 13th November, 1997 and Order of Seanad Éireann of 19th November, 1997 as part of a programme of Oireachtas reform involving the refining of the Committee system to enable more detailed examination of Government Departments including–

•public affairs administered by each Department

•legislature and expenditure proposals of each Department

•certain matters relating to bodies under the aegis of each Department.

The Orders of Reference of the Joint Committee were modified by further Orders of Dáil Éireann of 28th April, 1998 (new subparagraph (2)(a)(iv) added) and Seanad Éireann of 30th April, 1998 (new subparagraph (2)(a)(iv) added) and the Orders of Reference of the Joint Committee, as so modified, are set out at Appendix 1.

3. Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Convenors and Membership

Deputy John Ellis resigned from his position as Chairman of the Joint Committee on 9 November, 1999. Mr. Michael Collins, T.D., was appointed to the Committee on the 24 November, 1999. Deputy John Browne (Wexford) was elected as Chairman of the Joint Committee on 25 November, 1999. The Chairman of the Joint Committee is also Chairman of the Dail Select Committee.

Deputies John Brady and P.J. Sheehan are the Convenors of the Committee whose function it is to ensure the availability and attendance of Members or their substitutes for meetings of the Committee and, in particular, to ensure Members’ availability for divisions.

The Members of the Joint Committee are set out at Appendix 2.

4. Meetings, Attendance and Recording

Meetings of the Joint Committee took place in the Committee rooms in Kildare House. Meetings were in public unless otherwise ordered by the Joint Committee.

Televised coverage of public meetings of the Joint Committee was broadcast live within the Leinster House complex and was available for subsequent public broadcasting.

Copies of other reports published by the Joint Committee may be obtained from the Clerk, Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. A list of any such reports is set out at Section 8.

5. Number and Duration of Meetings

The Joint Committee met on 17 occasions in the period under report. The number of hours discussion involved in these meetings was in excess of 21 hours. The date and subject matter of each public meeting is set out at Appendix 3.

The Dáil Select Committee met on 8 occasions in the period under report and the number of hours discussion involved in these meetings was in excess of 11 hours. The date and subject matter of each meeting is set out at Appendix 4.

Records of attendance by Members of the Joint Committee and their duly nominated substitutes at meetings of the Joint Committee are set out at Appendix 5.

Records of attendance by Members of the Dáil Select Committee and their duly nominated substitutes at meetings of the Dáil Select Committee are set out at Appendix 6.

Minutes of proceedings of the Joint Committee meeting in public session are attached at Appendix 7.

6. Work of the Committee

6.1 Joint Committee

On the 17 occasions the Committee met it dealt, inter alia, with the following matters:

•Election of Chairman

•Meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and his Officials on the Dispute with the Meat Plants.

•River Shannon Flooding

•Meeting with representatives of the Competition Authority

•Meeting with representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Concerned Milk Quota Holders Group.

•Adoption of Annual Report and Work Programme

•Presentation by representatives from the Irish Wool Federation

•Presentation by Representatives from the Department of Agriculture re Bovine T.B.

•Meeting with representatives from the Milk Rights Group.

•Meeting with Representatives from the Agri Food 2010 Committee.

•Meeting with the Czech Minister for Agriculture.

•Meeting with the Hungarian Minister for Agriculture.

•Meeting with representatives from the Independent Animal Health Association, the Animal Plant Health Association and the Department of Agriculture.

•Meeting with representatives from the Irish Farmers’ Association and the National Farm Family Committee.

•Meeting with the representatives Irish Organic Growers’ Association, Organic Trust and Demeter Standards.

•Meeting with representatives from Teagasc, officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and representatives from the Agriculture Colleges.

6.2 Dáil Select Committee

On the 8 occasions the Committee met it dealt with the following matters:

•Supplementary Estimates for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development

•Committee Stage of the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 1999

•Department of the Marine and Natural Resources - Vote 30 (Supplementary Estimate)

•Committee Stage of the National Beef Assurance Scheme Bill,1999 [Seanad]

•Committee Stage of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Bill, 1999

•Committee Stage of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Bill, 1999 (Resumed)

•Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development - Vote 30 (Revised Estimate)

•Department of the Marine and Natural Resources - Vote 30 (Revised Estimate)

7. Groups and Individuals attending before Committee

In the year under report the Joint Committee met with the following:

•The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Joe Walsh, and the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Deputy Ned O’Keeffe

•Various Semi State Bodies

•Numerous organisations connected with agriculture, food and the marine and representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development

•Delegations from the Czech Republic and Hungary.

8. Joint Committee Reports

During the year under report the Joint Committee published the following reports:

•Work Programme 2000

•Report on the Role of Women in Agriculture and Related Matters [PN 9259]

9. Travel by the Joint Committee

The Joint Committee undertook three visits during the course of the year, as follows:

(i)Seoul, Korea, 19-25 February, 2000: A delegation of one Member, Deputy P.J. Sheehan, accompanied by the Clerk attended the inaugural Conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Association for Agriculture and Fisheries (IPAAF) from Monday to Thursday, 21 to 24 February 2000.

(ii)Paris 29-31 May 2000: A delegation of four Members led by the Chairman, Deputy John Browne (Wexford) and Deputies Paul Connaughton, Willie Penrose and Senator Peter Callanan accompanied by the Clerk visited the Rungis market in Paris The itinerary included a visit to a hypermarket to see the range of Irish and other agricultural products on display and meetings with An Bord Bia and BIM. Minister of State Deputy Ned O’Keeffe accompanied the delegation.

(iii)London/Grimsby: A delegation composed of six Members led by the Chairman Deputy John Browne (Wexford) and Deputies Paul Connaughton, John Brady and PJ Sheehan and Senators Rory Kiely and Francis O’Brien accompanied by the Clerk visited the UK to discuss Marine related matters with various groups. The itinerary included a meeting with the Select Committee of Agriculture of the House of Commons, the Tory Opposition spokesperson on the Marine and a visit to Grimsby for discussions with various fishing groups and viewing of processing facilities.

10. Function and Powers

The Committee remains content with its present procedures and its role but once again considers its general staff resources to be wholly inadequate. The Committee notes that it shares its Clerk and other staff member with another Committee. It considers that each Committee should have a full-time Clerk and appropriate full-time support staff. This is not the position at present due to the unnecessarily restrictive policy on staffing in the Houses of the Oireachtas. The key criterion for an effective committee system is adequate resourcing and staff resources in particular must be sufficient to permit all Joint Committees, as agents of both Houses, to efficiently and effectively discharge their obligations. The staffing situation should therefore be corrected as an imperative.

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1

Orders of Reference

Dáil Éireann

13th November, 1997, (*28th April, 1998)

(1) (a)That a Select Committee, which shall be called the Select Committee on agriculture, Food and the Marine, consisting of 14 members of Dáil Éireann (of whom 4 shall constitute a quorum), be appointed to consider such—

(i)Bills the statute law in respect of which is dealt with by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and

(ii)Estimates for Public Services within the aegis of that Department,

as shall be referred to it by Dáil Éireann from time to time.

(b)For the purpose of its consideration of Bills under paragraph (1)(a)(i), the Select Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 78A(1), (2) and (3).

(c)For the avoidance of doubt, by virtue of his or her ex officio membership of the Select Committee in accordance with Standing Order 84(1), the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (or a Minister or Minister of State nominated in his or her stead) shall be entitled to vote.

(2) (a)The Select Committee shall be joined with a Select Committee to be appointed by Seanad Éireann to form the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to consider–

(i)such public affairs administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as it may select, including bodies under the aegis of that Department in respect of Government policy,

(ii)such matters of policy for which the Minister in charge of that Department is officially responsible as it may select,

(iii)the strategy statement laid before each House of the Oireachtas by the Minister in charge of that Department pursuant to section 5(2) of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, and shall be authorised for the purposes of section 10 of that Act,

*(iv)such Annual Reports or Annual Reports and Accounts, required by law and laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas, of bodies under the aegis of the Department(s) specified in operational results, statements of strategy and corporate plans of these bodies, as it may select.

Provided that the Joint Committee shall not, at any time, consider any matter relating to such a body which is, which has been, or which is, at that time, proposed to be considered by the Committee of Public Accounts pursuant to the Orders of Reference of that Committee and/or the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993.

Provided further that the Joint Committee shall refrain from inquiring into in public session, or publishing confidential information regarding, any such matter if so requested either by the body or by the Minister in charge of that Department; and

(iv)such other matters as may be jointly referred to it from time to time by both Houses of the Oireachtas,

and shall report thereon to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

(b)The quorum of the Joint Committee shall be 5, of whom at least 1 shall be a member of Dáil Éireann and 1 a member of Seanad Éireann.

(c)The Joint Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 78A(1) to (9) inclusive.

(3)The Chairman of the Joint Committee, who shall be a member of Dáil Éireann, shall also be Chairman of the Select Committee.

Orders of Reference

Seanad Éireann

19th November, 1997, (*30th April, 1998)

(1) (a)That a Select Committee consisting of 5 members of Seanad Éireann shall be appointed to be joined with a Select Committee of Dáil Éireann to form the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to consider–

(i)such public affairs administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as it may select, including bodies under the aegis of that Department in respect of Government policy,

(ii)such matters of policy for which the Minister in charge of that Department is officially responsible as it may select,

(iii)the strategy statement laid before each House of the Oireachtas by the Minister in charge of that Department pursuant to section 5(2) of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, and shall be authorised for the purposes of section 10 of that Act,

*(iv)such Annual Reports or Annual Reports and Accounts, required by law and laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas, of bodies under the aegis of the Department(s) specified in paragraph 2(a)(i), and the overall operational results, statements of strategy and corporate plans of these bodies, as it may select.

Provided that the Joint Committee shall not, at any time, consider any matter relating to such a body which is, which has been, or which is, at that time, proposed to be considered by the Committee of Public Accounts pursuant to the Orders of Reference of that Committee and/or the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993.

Provided further that the Joint Committee shall refrain from inquiring into in public session, or publishing confidential information regarding, any such matter if so requested either by the body or by the Minister in charge of that Department; and

(v)such other matters as may be jointly referred to it from time to time by both Houses of the Oireachtas, and shall report thereon to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

(b)The quorum of the Joint Committee shall be 5, of whom at least 1 shall be a member of Dáil Éireann and 1 a member of Seanad Éireann.

(c)The Joint Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 62A(1) to (9) inclusive.

(2)The Chairman of the Joint Committee shall be a member of Dáil Éireann.

APPENDIX 2

JOINT COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND THE MARINE

LIST OF MEMBERS

APPENDIX 3

Meetings of the Joint Committee

APPENDIX 4

Meetings of the Select Committee

APPENDIX 5

Attendance at Meetings of the Joint Committee 2000

* Indicates Member was represented by a substitute

A Indicates Apologies from Members

P Indicates Members Present

Attendance at Meetings of the Joint Committee 2000 contd.

* Indicates Member was represented by a substitute

A Indicates Apologies from Members

P Indicates Members Present

Attendance at Meetings of the Joint Committee 2000 contd.

* Indicates Member was represented by a substitute

A Indicates Apologies from Members

P Indicates Members Present

Attendance at Meetings of the Joint Committee 2000 contd.

* Indicates Member was represented by a substitute

A Indicates Apologies from Members

P Indicates Members Present

Attendance at Meetings of the Joint Committee 2000 contd.

* Indicates Member was represented by a substitute

A Indicates Apologies from Members

P Indicates Members Present

APPENDIX 6

Attendance at Meetings of the Select Committee 2000

* Indicates Member was represented by a substitute

A Indicates Apologies from Members

P Indicates Members Present

Attendance at Meetings of the Select Committee 2000

* Indicates Member was represented by a substitute

A Indicates Apologies from Members

P Indicates Members Present

APPENDIX 7

Minutes of proceedings of the Joint Committee

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Meeting: Thursday, 25 November, 1999

1.The Joint Committee met at 11 a.m. in Room G.24, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

2.Members present: Deputies Harry Blaney (in the Chair), John Brady, John Browne (Wexford), Paul Connaughton, Michael Collins, Michael Creed, Billy Kelleher, Michael P. Kitt, Michael Moynihan, *Michael Ferris, Michael Ring and P.J. Sheehan, and Senators Peter Callanan, Tom Hayes, Rory Kiely and Francis O’Brien.

3.Minutes of Meetings of 5 October and 10 November

The minutes of the meetings of 5 October and 10 November were put to the meeting and agreed to.

4.Election of Chairman

The Vice-Chairman called for nominations for the position of Chairman. Deputy John Browne (Wexford) was proposed by Deputy John Brady. There being no other nominations, Deputy Browne was deemed elected to the position of Chairman of the Committee and took the Chair. The Chairman thanked the Committee and acknowledged the work of the previous Chairman, Deputy John Ellis, T.D. There followed some congratulatory remarks from other Members.

5.Any other business

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned sine die at 11.24 a.m.

_________________________

John Browne, T.D. (Wexford),

Chairman.

1 March 2000

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Public Meeting: Tuesday 18 January, 2000

1.The Joint Committee met at 4.30 p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin, 2.

2.Members present: Deputies Harry Blaney, John Brady, *Mattie Brennan, John Browne (Wexford) [in the Chair], Paul Connaughton, Michael Creed, Michael Finucane, Billy Kelleher, Michael Moynihan, *Michael Ferris, Michael Ring,*Seymour Crawford and Senators Peter Callanan, Tom Hayes and Francis O’Brien.

3.Meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and his Officials on the Dispute with the Meat Plants.

(i)Introduction by Chairman

The Chairman welcomed the Minister and his officials to the meeting. He thanked the Minister for coming before the Committee at such short notice.

(ii)Presentation and Question and Answer Session.

The Minister made a presentation to the Committee. This was followed by a lengthy and detailed question and answer session with Members in which the Minister participated.

The Chairman thanked the Minister for coming before the Committee at short notice and thanked all the Members for their contributions.

4.Any other Business

There being no other business the Joint Committee adjourned at 7.01 p.m.

____________________

John Brown, T.D., (Wexford)

Chairman.

1 March 2000

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Public Meeting: Thursday, 20 January, 2000

(ii)The Joint Committee held a joint meeting with the Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport and both Committees met in Public Session at 2.33 p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

(ii)Members present: Deputies Billy Kelleher (in the Chair), Harry Blaney, John Brady, Michael Collins, Paul Connaughton, Michael Creed, Michael Finucane, Billy Kelleher, Michael Lowry, Willie Penrose, P.J. Sheehan, and Senators Peter Callanan, Tom Hayes and Senator Rory Kiely.

Apologies for inability to attend were received from Deputy John Browne (Wexford) and Senator Fergal Quinn.

3.River Shannon Flooding

The following representatives of O.P.W., E.S.B., I.F.A., I.C.M.S.A., and the Department of Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands attended the meeting:-

O.P.W.

Mr. Brian (Barry) Murphy, Chairman

Mr. Tony Smyth, Director, Engineering Services

Mr. Brian D’Arcy, Assistant Chief Engineer

Mr. Thomas Costello, Principal, Engineering Services

E.S.B.

Mr. Ken O’Hara, Chief Executive

Mr. Paddy Stapleton, Generation Manager, Hydro

Mr. Bob Cullen, Manager, Ardnacrusha & Lee Generating Stations

Mr. Jack O’Keeffe, Chief Civil Engineer, Hydro Stations

Mr. Larry Donald, Company Secretary

I.F.A.

Mr. Paddy Halligan

Mr. Adrian Leddy

Mr. Gerry Gunning

Mr. Louis Martin

Mr. Fintan Nally

I.C.M.S.A.

Mr. Pat O’Rourke, President

Mr. Liam Heverin, Chairman Beef and Cattle Committee

Mr. Ciaran Dolan

Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands

Mr. Séan O Cófaigh, Assistant Secretary

Mr. John Martin, Director Waterway Services

Mr. Ray Dunne, Senior Engineer, Shannon Navigation

Mr. Redmond Aherne, Assistant Director, Waterway Services

Dr. Allen Craig, Senior Inspector, National Park & Wildlife Service

Each Public Body made a presentation to the Members on

-its role and operations

-its interaction with other bodies

in relation to the River Shannon.

The farming organisations made presentations setting out their solutions to the flooding problem in the area.

The presentations were followed by a question and answer session with the Members of the two Joint Committees.

It was agreed the relevant Ministers could be invited to attend a future joint meeting of the two Committees on this issue.

4.Adjournment

The joint meeting of the two Joint Committees adjourned at 5.03. p.m. sine die.

__________________________

John Browne,T.D., (Wexford)

Chairman

1 March 2000

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Public Meeting: Thursday, 20 January, 2000

1.The Joint Committee met in Public Session at 5.04 p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin, 2.

2.Members present: Deputies Billy Kelleher (in the Chair), Harry Blaney, John Brady, Michael Collins, Paul Connaughton, Michael Creed, Michael Finucane, Billy Kelleher, Michael Lowry, Willie Penrose, P.J. Sheehan, and Senators Peter Callanan, Tom Hayes, Senator Rory Kiely.

Apologies for inability to attend were received from Deputy John Browne (Wexford) and Senator Feargal Quinn.

3.Dispute with Meat Plants: Meeting with representatives of the IFA and ICMSA

The following representatives of the I.F.A., and the I.C.M.S.A., attended the meeting:-

I.F.A.

Mr. Paddy Halligan

Mr. Adrian Leddy

Mr. Gerry Gunning

Mr. Louis Martin

Mr. Fintan Nally

I.C.M.S.A.

Mr. Pat O’Rourke, President

Mr. Liam Heverin, Chairman Beef and Cattle Committee

Mr. Ciaran Dolan

The farming organisations made presentations on the dispute with the Meat Plants.

The presentations were followed by a question and answer session with the Members of the Joint Committee.

It was agreed that representatives of the Competition Authority be invited before the Committee in order to discuss the alleged cartel operating in the meat industry..

4.Adjournment

The joint meeting of the two Joint Committees adjourned at 6.26 p.m. sine die.

_________________________

John Browne,T.D., (Wexford)

Chairman

1 March 2000

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Private Meeting on Thursday, 10 February, 2000 from 2.07 p.m. to 2.18 p.m.

The Joint Committee met in Private Session at 2.07 p.m. in Room G5,Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin, 2.

Members present: Deputies Harry Blaney, John Brady, John Browne (Wexford), [in the Chair], Michael Collins, Michael Finucane, Michael Kitt, Willie Penrose, P.J. Sheehan, and Senators Rory Kiely, Francis O’Brien and Fergal Quinn.

Apologies for inability to attend was received from Deputy Paul Connaughton.

Ordered: That the Committee now sit in private. The Committee sat in private accordingly.

Report on the visit of a delegation from the Joint Committee to Norway, 6-9 September, 1999

Deputy Finucane presented his report on the visit of a delegation from the Joint Committee to Norway from 6-9 September. The Report was agreed to.

Invitation to the Inaugural Assembly of the International Parliamentarians’ Association for Agriculture and Fisheries (IPAAF)

It was agreed by the Joint Committee that Deputy PJ Sheehan and the Clerk to the Committee would attend the IPAAF in Seoul, Korea, 22 to 24 February, 2000. Draft costings were also agreed and it was further agreed that the Conference fell within the terms of reference and work programme of the Joint Committee.

Competition Authority

The Chairman advised the Committee that the Competition Authority had indicated their willingness to appear before the Joint Committee. It was agreed that representatives from the Competition Authority should be contacted by the Clerk to see if Wednesday, 1 March was suitable date for such a meeting.

Any Other Business

(i)Work Programme

The Chairman said the Clerk would draw up a provisional work programme up to the Easter recess.

(ii)Proposed Visit to House of Commons and Scotland

Deputy Michael Finucane proposed that representatives of the Committee visit Westminster in order to meet with their counterpart committees\s. He also proposed that, having regard to its marine brief, the Committee should visit Scotland so that it could study the management of off-shore oil facilities and the impact on ports or local communities where the oil came on-shore. This was agreed and the Clerk was asked to investigate the matter.

(iii)Proposed Visit to Beef Markets in Paris and Berlin

Deputy Penrose suggested that the Committee visit the beef markets in Paris (the Rungis market) and perhaps Berlin. This was agreed and the Clerk was asked to investigate the matter.

(iv)Northern Ireland

The Chairman suggested that the Committee should consider meeting the corresponding committee in Northern Ireland which was chaired by Dr. Paisley. Deputy Michael Kitt suggested that the Committee invite Ms. Bríd Rogers before it and that it find out if there was a section in the Department of Agriculture dealing with Northern Ireland. The Clerk was asked to enquire about both matters and report back.

(v)Food Safety and GMOs

It was suggested the Professor Michael Gibney and Dr. Pat Wall who had addressed a major conference in Trinity College Dublin on food safety be invited before the Committee. Senator Quinn also suggested that having regard to the agreement recently reached in Montreal on GMOs the Committee should consider the matter. The Chairman agreed that these topics were certainly of interest and should be considered in the context of the 2000 Work Programme.

There being no other business the Joint Committee adjourned at 2.18 p.m.

________________________

John Browne T.D., (Wexford)

Chairman.

1 March, 2000

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Public Meeting: 1 March, 2000

1.The Joint Committee met at 4.09 p.m. in Room G5, Kildare House.

2.Members present: Deputies John Brady, John Browne (Wexford), [in the Chair], Michael Collins, Paul Connaughton, Michael Creed, Michael Finucane, Michael Kitt, Michael Ring, P.J. Sheehan, and Senators Peter Callanan, Rory Kiely, Francis O’Brien and Feargal Quinn.

Witnesses present from the Competition Authority: Mr Patrick Massey (Director of Competition Enforcement); Ms Isolde Goggin, Mr Declan Purcell, Mr Ciarán Quigley (Secretary) and Mr Fergus O’Regan (Legal Adviser).

3.Minutes of the Previous Meetings

The minutes of the meetings of 25 November 1999, 18 January 2000, 20 January 2000 (two sets of minutes - one set for the joint meeting with the Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport and the other set for the subsequent meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine) and 10 February 2000 were put to the meeting and agreed to.

4.Meeting with representatives of the Competition Authority.

(i)Introduction by Chairman

The Chairman welcomed the representatives from the Competition Authority to the meeting and informed them that the purpose of the meeting was, inter alia, to discuss recent allegations that a cartel was operating in the meat industry.

(ii)Presentation and Question and Answer Session.

Mr. Patrick Massey, Director of Competition Enforcement made a presentation to the Committee. This was followed by a lengthy and detailed question and answer session with the Members in which others of the witnesses present participated.

(iii)Decisions of the Joint Committee

The Committee agreed to a suggestion by the Chairman that he write to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Mary Harney, T.D. regarding the inadequate resourcing of the Competition Authority.

5.Any other Business

It was agreed that the Committee would, subject to room availability, hold a meeting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday 8 March in Room G.5, Kildare House, in order to meet with representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Food regarding the changes in the milk quota regime. It was also agreed that the Committee should invite representatives of the Concerned Milk Quota Holders Group to attend this meeting in order to discuss their concerns with the Committee.

There being no other business the Joint Committee adjourned at 5.49p.m.

John Browne, T.D. (Wexford),

Chairman.

8 March 2000

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Public Meeting: 8 March, 2000

1.The Joint Committee met at 10.08 a.m. in Room G5, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin, 2.

2.Members present: Deputies Harry Blaney, John Brady, John Browne (Wexford) [in the Chair], Michael Collins, Paul Connaughton, Michael Creed, Michael Finucane, Billy Kelleher, Michael Kitt, Michael Moynihan, Willie Penrose, Michael Ring, P.J. Sheehan, and Senators Peter Callanan, Tom Hayes, Rory Kiely.

Witnesses present from the Department of Agriculture & Food - Milk Quota

Mr. Tom O’Donnell (Principal Officer), Mr. Michael Walsh (Assistant Principal), Mr. Peter Hanrahan (Higher Executive Officer).

Witnesses present from the Concerned Milk Quota Holders Group

Mr. Patrick Lordan (Chairman); Mr. Gerard Lordan (Vice-Chairman); Mr. Denis Buttimer, Mr. Timothy Foley, Mr. John Murray and Mr. James Caverly (PRO).

3.Minutes of the Previous Meetings

The minutes of the meeting of the 8 March, 2000 Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food were put to the meeting and agreed to.

4.Meeting with representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Concerned Milk Quota Holders Group

(i)Introduction by Chairman

The Chairman welcomed the representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Concerned Milk Quota Holders Group to the meeting. He then invited them to make a presentation to the meeting which would be followed by a question and answer session with Members.

(ii)Presentation and Question and Answer Session.

Mr Tom O’Donnell, Principal Officer, outlined the changes in the milk quota regime. Mr. James Caverly, PRO for the Concerned Milk Quota Holders Group, then outlined the concerns of his group and presented a document to the Committee which detailed their viewpoint. A detailed question and answer session then ensued with the Members.

(iii)Decisions of the Joint Committee

The Committee agreed to a suggestion by the Chairman that he would write to the Minister for Agriculture with regard to the proposed regulations on milk quotas.

5.Any other Business

It was agreed that the Committee should invite both the officials from the Department of Agriculture and Food and representatives from the Concerned Milk Quota Holders Group to a further meeting of the Joint Committee so that the issue could be more fully discussed.

There being no other business the Joint Committee adjourned at 11.00 a.m. sine die.

John Browne, T.D. (Wexford),

Chairman.

21 March 2000

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Public Meeting: 28 March, 2000

1.The Joint Committee met at 1.38 p.m. in Room G24, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin, 2.

2.Members present: Deputies John Brady, John Browne (Wexford) [in the Chair], Michael Collins, Michael Creed, Michael Finucane, Michael Moynihan, Willie Penrose, and Senators Peter Callanan, and Fergal Quinn.

Also in attendance: Senator Denis O’Donovan

Witnesses present from the Department of Agriculture & Food - Milk Quota

Mr. Tom O’Donnell (Principal Officer), Mr. Michael Walsh (Assistant Principal), Mr. Peter Hanrahan (Higher Executive Officer).

Witnesses present from the Concerned Milk Quota Holders Group

Mr. Patrick Lordan (Chairman); Mr. James Caverly (PRO); Mr. Michael Donovan; Mr. Liam Cattan, Mr.Gerard Lordan (Vice-Chair), Ms. Kathleen Dulea (Secretary) Mr. Denis Buttimer; Mr. Timothy Foley.

3.Minutes of the Previous Meetings

The minutes of the meeting of the 8 March, 2000 Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food were put to the meeting and agreed to.

4.Meeting with representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Concerned Milk Quota Holders Group

(i)Introduction by Chairman

The Chairman welcomed the representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Concerned Milk Quota Holders Group to the meeting and apologised to them for the cancellation at short notice of the previous week’s meeting due to the sudden death of Deputy Michael Ferris. He then asked Mr Caverly of the Concerned Milk Quota Holders Group to deal with the issues raised at the previous meeting on this matter.

(ii)Presentation and Question and Answer Session.

Mr Caverly made a brief presentation which was followed by a detailed question and answer session with Members in which Mr O’Donnell of the Department of Agriculture and Food participated.

(iii)Decisions of the Joint Committee

The Committee agreed to a suggestion by the Chairman that he should write to the Minister for Agriculture asking him to attend a meeting of the Committee to discuss the matter.

5.Any other Business

The Committee agreed that the transcript of their meeting with the Competition Authority should be laid in the library.

There being no other business the Joint Committee adjourned at 2.51p.m. sine die.

John Browne, T.D. (Wexford),

Chairman.

May 2000

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Public Meeting: Wednesday, 3 May, 2000

1.The Joint Committee met at 2.07 p.m. in Room G5, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin, 2.

2.Members present: Deputies John Brady, *Mattie Brennan, John Browne (Wexford) [in the Chair], Paul Connaughton, Michael Finucane, *Tony Killeen,Willie Penrose, Michael Ring, P.J. Sheehan and Senators Peter Callanan, Paul Coughlan, Tom Hayes, *Pat Moylan and Francis O’Brien.

3.

Ordered: That the Committee now sit in private. The Committee sat in private accordingly.

There being no other business the Joint Committee adjourned at 2.20 p.m. sine die.

John Browne, T.D. (Wexford),

Chairman.

24 May 2000

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Public Meeting: Wednesday, 24 May, 2000

1.The Joint Committee met at 4.07 p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin, 2.

2.Members present: Deputies John Brady, John Browne (Wexford) [in the Chair],Michael Collins, Paul Connaughton, Michael Creed, Michael Finucane, Billy Kelleher, Michael P. Kitt, Michael Moynihan, Willie Penrose, Michael Ring, P.J. Sheehan and Senators Peter Callanan, Francis O’Brien and Fergal Quinn.

Witnesses present from the Irish Wool Federation

Mr. Alan Browne, President, Mr. Donald Macauley, Secretary and Mr. Coleman Keane, Chairman, West of Ireland Wool Merchants’ Association and past President of the Irish Wool Federation.

Witnesses present from the Department of Agriculture re Bovine T.B.

Mr. Seamus Healy, Assistant Secretary and Mr. Michael Corry, Principal Officer.

3.Minutes of the Previous Meetings

The minutes of the meeting of 3 May 2000 were put to the meeting and agreed to.

4.Presentation by Irish Wool Federation

The representatives of the Irish Wool Federation made a presentation during the course of which expressed deep concern at the decline in the value of wool and asked for the assistance of the Committee in determining if alternative uses existed for the product. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session with Members. The Committee undertook to consider the points made by the delegation.

The Committee suspended at 4.35 p.m. in order to attend simultaneous votes in the Dáil and Seanad. The Committee resumed at 4.48 p.m.

5.Presentation by the Department of Agriculture re Bovine T.B. and Brucellosis

Mr Healy from the Department of Agriculture and Food made a brief general presentation on bovine TB and brucellosis and provided the Committee with a handout. He also explained that representatives from the veterinary area of the Department could not attend due to an important prior engagement in Europe but would be happy to attend a later meeting if this was required. A question and answer session with Members took place following the conclusion of the presentation.

The Chairman thanked the representatives for coming before the Committee on short notice and for the excellence and conciseness of their presentation.

6.Authorisation for proposed visit to Rungis market, Paris (30 May - 31 May)

A costing for the proposed visit was agreed and the Committee certified that the visit fell within its terms of reference.

7.Any other Business

It was agreed that the Committee should meet the Minister before meeting the Milk Rights Group on 21 June.

There being no other business the Joint Committee adjourned at 5.55 p.m. sine die.

John Browne, T.D. (Wexford),

Chairman.

21 June, 2000.

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Public Meeting: Wednesday, 21 June, 2000

1.The Joint Committee met at 4.10 p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin, 2.

2.Members present: Deputies Harry Blaney, John Brady, John Browne (Wexford) [in the Chair], Paul Connaughton, Michael Creed, Michael Finucane, Michael P. Kitt, Michael Moynihan, Willie Penrose, Michael Ring, P.J. Sheehan and Senators Rory Kiely, Francis O’Brien, *Anne Ormonde and Feargal Quinn.

Witnesses present from the Milk Rights Group

Mr. Donie Shine, Chairman of the Milk Rights Group, Mr. Larry Hollywood, Vice-Chairman of the Milk Rights Group, Ms. Rena Phelan, Secretary and Mr. Ned Nagle, Agriculture Consultant.

3.Minutes of the Previous Meetings

The minutes of the meeting of 24 May 2000 were put to the meeting and agreed to.

4.Meeting with the Milk Rights Group

(i)Introduction by Chairman

The Chairman welcomed the representatives from the Milk Rights group to the meeting. He suggested that as the Committee were familiar with the general issues the Group might make a brief presentation which would be followed by a questions and answers session with Members.

(ii)Presentation and Question and Answer Session.

The representatives of the Milk Rights Group made a presentation and circulated the Committee with various documents. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session with Members. The Committee agreed that the group had a strong case for compensation and that the main issues to be determined were the potential numbers to be compensated and the nature of the compensation.

(iii)Decisions of the Joint Committee

The Committee agreed to write to the Minister and to state that:

•In the opinion of the Committee the Milk Rights Group had a very strong case for compensation based on the determination of the Supreme Court in the Duff ?? case. Their case for compensation should not be denied on technical grounds such as the statute of limitations.

•The Department should determine once and for all the precise numbers of farmers who would be entitled to compensation. This could be achieved by an examination of the Department’s files and\or advertising in the newspapers. It was noted that the Milk Right Group had already undertaken such an exercise, had a precise estimate of the numbers affected, and would be in a position to assist the Department by providing them with copies of documents such as farm plans which they had in their possession. In this regard the Committee agreed to seek a meeting with Departmental officials to discuss the quantification of numbers.

•The Minister should immediately ‘ring-fence’ the 11.5 million gallons until the numbers of farmers entitled to compensation was determined.

•Compensation could be in the form of an allocation of quota from the ring-fenced 11.5 million gallons or money or both.

It was agreed that the Clerk should draft a letter to the Minister outlining the Committee’s views and seeking a meeting with officials.

The representatives of the Milk Rights Group thanked the Committee for meeting them and for all their efforts to have their case settled. In turn the Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, thanked the group for coming before the Joint Committee and for making such a strong case.

5.Any Other Business

There being no other public business the Committee concluded its public deliberations at 5.01 p.m. sine die.

John Browne, T.D. (Wexford),

Chairman.

July 2000.

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Private Meeting on Wednesday, 21 June, 2000 from 5.01 to 5.10 p.m.

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Private Meeting: Wednesday, 21 June, 2000

Ordered: That the Committee now sit in private. The Committee sat in private accordingly.

The Joint Committee met at 5.01 p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin, 2.

Members present: Deputies John Brady, John Browne (Wexford) [in the Chair], Paul Connaughton, Michael Finucane, Willie Penrose, P.J. Sheehan and Senator Rory Kiely,.

3.Authorisation for proposed visit to Grimsby/Hull

It was agreed that a delegation of Members would travel to the UK to discuss fisheries related matters with representatives of the Select Committee on Agriculture of the House of Commons and perhaps the Tory spokesperson on fisheries. It was also agreed that the delegation should visit a fishing port in the UK, perhaps Grimbsy or Hull, in order to see the fishing facilities and hold discussions with appropriate bodies.

It was agreed that the following Members would travel: the Chairman accompanied by Deputies John Brady, Michael Finucane, Michael Moynihan and PJ Sheehan and Senator Rory Kiely. The delegation would also be accompanied by the Clerk.

4.Any other Business

It was agreed that the Joint Committee would meet within the next two weeks, preferably around Tuesday or Wednesday, the 4^th or 5^th of July, in order to discuss the recently published Agri Food 2000 Report and any other business.

There being no other business the Joint Committee adjourned at 5.10 p.m. sine die.

John Browne, T.D. (Wexford),

Chairman.

July 2000.

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Private Meeting on Tuesday, 4 July, 2000 from 12.38 to 12.52 p.m.

Ordered: That the Committee now sit in private. The Committee sat in private accordingly.

The Joint Committee met at 12.38 p.m. in Room G5, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin, 2.

Members present: Deputies John Brady, John Browne (Wexford) [in the Chair], Paul Connaughton, Michael Kitt, P.J. Sheehan, David Stanton and Senators *Dan Kiely, Rory Kiely, *Pat Moylan, Francis O’Brien and Feargal Quinn.

3.Authorisation for proposed visit to Grimsby/Hull

It was confirmed that as agreed at the previous meeting a delegation of 6 Members would travel to the UK on the week commencing 10 July to discuss various marine related matters. The estimated cost of the travel at £7,500 was approved and it the Committee certified that the visit was in accordance with its terms of reference and work programme.

4.Consideration of draft letter to Minister for Agriculture and Food re Milk Rights Group issue

The Committee considered and approved without amendment the draft letter brought forward by the Chairman in relation to the issues raised by the Milk Rights Group, the content of which had been agreed at the previous meeting. The Chairman also suggested that a delegation from the Committee might consider meeting the Minister in order to work out some type of equitable settlement.

5.Any other Business

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee should take place on Wednesday 19 July at 2 p.m. subject to room availability and that the subject matters should be a meeting with representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Food re Agri-Food 2010 and followed by discussions with some of their colleagues regarding the mechanism for establishing the numbers of farmers entitled to compensation who were not covered by the judgement of the Supreme Court and whose cases the Department was now treating as statute-barred. It was also agreed that the meeting should conclude by 3.30 p.m. at the latest.

There being no other business the Joint Committee adjourned at 12.52 p.m. until the 19 July, 2000.

John Browne, T.D. (Wexford),

Chairman.

July 2000.

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Public Meeting: Wednesday, 19 July, 2000

1.The Joint Committee met at 2.07 p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin, 2.

2.Members present: Deputies John Brady, John Browne (Wexford) [in the Chair], *Seymour Crawford, Alan Dukes, *Michael Finucane, Billy Kelleher, David Stanton and Senators *Paddy Burke, Peter Callanan, Rory Kiely and Francis O’Brien.

Witnesses present from the Agri Food 2010 Committee

Mr. Pat O’Neill, Chairman; Professor Seamus Sheehy (UCD) and Mr. Aidean O’Driscoll, Chief Economist, Department of Agriculture and Food.

3.Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 4 July, 2000 Joint Committee on Agriculture & Food were put to the meeting and agreed to.

4.Meeting with the representative from the Agri Food 2010 Committee.

(i)Introduction by Chairman

The Chairman welcomed the representatives from the Agri Food 2010 Committee to the meeting. He then invited them to make a presentation to the meeting which would be followed by a question and answer session with Members.

(ii)Presentation and Question and Answer Session.

Mr. Pat O’Neill, Chairman, outlined the Report. A detailed question and answer session then ensued with the Members to which Mr. Aidan O’Driscoll and Professor Sheehy also contributed.

5.Any other Business

There being no other business the Joint Committee adjourned at 3.58 p.m. sine die

Harry Blaney, T.D.

Vice-Chairman.

September 2000.

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Public Meeting: Tuesday, 12 September, 2000

1.The Joint Committee met at 3.08 p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin, 2.

2.Members present: Deputies Harry Blaney, Vice-Chairman [in the Chair], John Brady, Alan Dukes, Billy Kelleher, Michael Kitt and Senators Peter Callanan, Rory Kiely, Tom Hayes and Francis O’Brien.

Apologies for inability to attend were received from Deputies John Browne (Wexford) Chairman, Paul Connaughton, Willie Penrose, Gerry Reynolds, P.J. Sheehan, David Stanton and Senator Feargal Quinn.

3.Members of the Delegation from the Czech Republic

In attendance were Mr Petr Polá_ek [Minister for Agriculture of the Czech Republic], Mr. Jan Fencl [Director of the Foreign Affairs Department], Mr. Tomás Kreutzer [Director of the Pre-Accession Coordination Department], Mr. Jan Desmidubsky [Adviser to the Minister], Mr. Pavel Ková_ [Press Spokesman of the Minister], Ms. Hana Kostobryzová [Interpreter], Mr Petr Kolar [Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Ireland], Mr. Mirek Kolatek [First Secretary, Embassy of the Czech Republic] and Mr. Tony Burke [representative of the Department of Agriculture and Food].

4.Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 19 July, 2000 Joint Committee on Agriculture & Food were put to the meeting and agreed to.

5.Meeting with the Czech Minister for Agriculture

(i)Introduction by Vice-Chairman

The Vice-Chairman formally welcomed Mr. Jan Fencl, Czech Minister for Agriculture, his colleagues and H.E. Mr Petr Kolar to the meeting. He then invited the Minister to make a presentation to be followed by a question and answer session with Members.

(ii)Presentation and Question and Answer Session.

In his speech Mr. Fencl outlined, inter alia, the Czech Republic’s application for EU Membership and emphasised that accession was their number one priority. He stressed that their country was looking for equal treatment with other Member States. At the conclusion of his speech a detailed question and answer session then followed with Members.

6.Correspondence Received

(iiRequest for Meeting from Mr. Bernard Lambert, Beet Grower

The Committee considered correspondence dated July 18, 2000, concerning a request for a meeting which was received from the above person. It was decided not to accede to the request as it was the view of Members that the matter reflected a dispute of a contractual nature and was not appropriate to the Committee.

(iiSea Fishing Boat Licences

The Committee considered correspondence dated 28 July, 2000 which had been received from Mr. Mark Lochrin, Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation. Mr Lochrin sought the intervention of the Committee in examining the merits of the case for an appeals mechanism for persons aggrieved by decisions of the Ministers for Marine and Natural Resources in respect of the issue or renewal of sea licences. The Committee agreed that in the first instance the Clerk should write to the Department of Marine and Natural Resources on the matter and also that the Clerk should write to the Department of Agriculture and Food seeking information on the appeals mechanism being established by the Minister in respect of disallowals of direct payments by that Department to farmers.

7.Any other Business

(i)Animal Vaccines

Deputy Dukes raised the matter of alleged proposals made by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) to the Minister for Agriculture about the regulation of animal ruminant vaccines. He suggested that the Committee should meet with the relevant parties as soon as possible. This was agreed.

(ii)Organic Farming

Deputy Dukes raised the matter of the proposals by the Minister to replace the three existing bodies regulating this area with one body. He suggested that the Committee meet the Department and the three existing regulatory bodies who were strongly opposed to the move. This was agreed.

(iiThirty Day Compulsory Pre-Movement Test

Deputy Dukes said that he understood that the Department of Agriculture and Food proposed to introduce a thirty day compulsory pre-movement test. He stated that this had been tried before and had not worked and suggested that the Committee should talk to the Department on the matter.

Deputy Dukes also stated that the Committee should receive the same level of consultation as the farm organisations and this was not the case at the moment.

(iiMilk Quotas

Senator Kiely asked for a list of dairy farmer\milk producers who were awarded quota under restructuring. He wished to know what their quota was before the award and what their quota was after the award as concerns had been raised about the manner of allocation. This was agreed.

There being no other business the Joint Committee adjourned at 4.07 p.m. sine die

John Browne, T.D.,

Chairman.

11 October 2000.

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Public Meeting: Thursday, 5 October, 2000

1.The Joint Committee met at 3.00 p.m. in Room G5, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin, 2.

2.Members present: Deputies John Brady, John Browne (Wexford) [in the Chair], Alan Dukes, Michael P. Kitt, David Stanton and PJ Sheehan and Senators Peter Callanan, Tom Hayes, Francis O’Brien and Feargal Quinn.

Apologies for inability to attend were received from Deputies Harry Blaney, Michael Collins, Willie Penrose and Senator Rory Kiely.

3.Members of the Delegation from Hungary

Dr. Jozsef Torgyán (Hungarian Minister for Agriculture), Dr. Bela Beres (Chief of the Minister’s Cabinet), Mr. Sandor Farkas (Chairman of the Agriculture Committee of the Hungarian Parliament), Mr. Laszlo Vajda (Head of the EU Integration Division in the Ministry), Mr. Janos Schmitt (University Professor and Farmer) and H.E. Dr Palmai, Ambassador of Hungary to Ireland. The delegation was accompanied by an interpretor.

4.Meeting with the Hungarian Minister for Agriculture

(i)Introduction by the Chairman

The Chairman formally welcomed the Hungarian Minister for Agriculture and his colleagues to the meeting. The Chairman noted that the Minister had a meeting with the Ceann Comhairle at 3 p.m. which would oblige his delegation to leave around that time. He then invited the Minister to make a presentation to be followed by a question and answer session with Members.

(ii)Presentation and Question and Answer Session.

In a forthright and detailed opening presentation, Dr. Torgyan outlined the Hungarian Application for EU Membership and the Hungarian view of the accession negotiation. A comprehensive question and answer session then ensued with the Members.

5.Any other Business

There being no other business the Joint Committee adjourned at 4.03 p.m. sine die

John Browne (Wexford),

Chairman.

October, 2000.

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Public Meeting: Wednesday, 11 October, 2000

1.The Joint Committee met at 4.00 p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin, 2.

2.Members present: Deputies John Browne (Wexford) [in the Chair], Michael Collins, Paul Connaughton, Alan Dukes, Billy Kelleher, Michael P. Kitt, Willie Penrose, and David Stanton and Senators Peter Callanan, Tom Hayes, and Feargal Quinn.

Witnesses present from the Independent Animal Health Association

Mr. Noel Ryall (Chairman); Mr. Tony Corbally (Secretary)

Witnesses present from Animal Plant Health Association

Mr. Declan O’Brien

Witnesses Present from the Department of Agriculture:

Mr. Aidan Murray, Principal Officer, Mr. PhilipKirwan, Assistant Principal, Dr. Michael Gunn, Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector and Mr. Patrick Brangan, Superintending Veterinary Inspector.

3.Minutes of Previous Meetings

The minutes of the meetings of 12 September, 2000 and 5 October, 2000 were put to the meeting and agreed to

4.Meeting with the representatives from the Independent Animal Health Association, the Animal Plant Health Association and the Department of Agriculture.

(i)Introduction by the Chairman

The Chairman formally welcomed the representatives from the Independent Animal Health Association (IAHA), the Animal Plant Health Association (APHA) and the officials from the Department of Agriculture. He then invited them to make a presentation to be followed by a question and answer session with Members.

(ii)Presentation and Question and Answer Session.

Mr. Noel Ryall, Chairman, of the IAHA made an opening presentation to which Mr Corbally and Mr O’Brien (APHA) contributed. This was followed by an opening presentation by Mr Murray of the Department of Agriculture and Food. A detailed question and answer session with the Members then took place to which all the witnesses contributed. At the conclusion of this item the Chairman thanked all the contributors and stated that, if necessary, the Committee would be happy to take up the offer made by Mr Murray of the Department of Agriculture and Food to again discuss the matter.

5.Any other Business

(iiMeeting of Committee scheduled 25 October

On the proposal of the Chairman it was agreed that the Committee would next meet on Wednesday 25 October 2000 at 4.20 p.m. (after Question Time for the Minister for Agriculture and Food) and would invite representatives from the IFA Women’s Taxation Group to appear before them. At the request of Deputy Dukes it was also agreed that the Committee should invite to the same meeting representatives from the three existing regulatory bodies in the organic farming sector to discuss the recent proposals by the Minister to replace the three existing bodies regulating this area with one body. The Department could be invited in at a later stage on the latter matter.

(iiFuture of Agricultural Colleges

At the request of Deputy Penrose it was agreed to invite the Director of Teagasc before the Committee to discuss proposals contained in the Kennedy report to close several agricultural colleges. It was agreed that this meeting should take place in four weeks time.

(iiMiscellaneous

Deputy Stanton asked for a copy of the work programme to be forwarded to him.

There being no other business the Joint Committee adjourned at 5.37 p.m. sine die

John Browne (Wexford),

Chairman.

October, 2000.

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Public Meeting: Wednesday, 25 October, 2000

1.The Joint Committee met at 4.28 p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin, 2.

2.Members present: Deputies Harry Blaney, John Brady, John Browne (Wexford) [in the Chair], Michael Collins, Paul Connaughton, Alan Dukes, Michael P. Kitt, Michael Moynihan, Willie Penrose, Gerry Reynolds, P.J. Sheehan, David Stanton and Trevor Sargent and Senators Peter Callanan, Tom Hayes, Rory Kiely and Francis O’Brien.

Apologies for inability to attend was received from Senator Fergal Quinn.

3.Minutes of Previous Meetings

The minutes of the meeting of 25 October, 2000 were put to the meeting and agreed to.

Witnesses present from the Irish Farmers’ Association

Mr. Tom Parlon President, Mrs. Betty Murphy, Chairwoman, National Farm Family Committee, Mrs. Marion Looby, Vice-Chairwoman, National Farm Family Committee, Ms. Ornaigh Darcy and Ms. Bernie Murphy, Wexford Farm Family Representative, Mr. Jim Devlin, Executive Secretary, Farm Business Committee and Mr. Godfrey Borthistle in a technical supporting role.

Witnesses present from the Organic Growers’ Associations

Ms. Noreen Gibney, Ms. Margaret Leahy and Ms.Helen Scully from the Irish Organic Growers’ Association, Mr. Joseph Finke and David Couper from the Organic Trust and Ms. Anja Terpstra, Nav Logan and Douglas Harrison from Demeter Standards.

4.Meeting with the representatives from the Irish Farmers’ Association and National Farm Family Committee

(i)Introduction by the Chairman

The Chairman formally welcomed the representatives from both groups. He then invited them to make a presentation to be followed by a question and answer session with Members.

(ii)Presentation and Question and Answer Session.

Mr.Tom Parlon, IFA President made an opening presentation to which Ms. B. Murphy, Ms. Looby, Ms. Darcy and Mr. Bothistle contributed. A detailed question and answer session with the Members then took place to which all the witnesses contributed. At the conclusion of this item the Chairman thanked all the contributors

5.Meeting with representatives from the Irish Organic Growers’ Association, Organic Trust and Demeter Standards.

(i)Introduction by by the Chairman

The Chairman formally welcomed the representatives from the three groups. He then invited them to make a presentation to be followed by a question and answer session with Members.

(ii)Presentation and Question and Answer Session.

Ms. Leahy, Irish Organic Growers’ Association made an opening presentation to which Helen Scully from the OrganicTrust contributed. This was followed by a contribution from Ms. Anja Terpstra, Demeter Standards. A detailed question and answer session with the Members then took place to which all the witnesses contributed.

At the conclusion of this item the Chairman thanked all the contributors. The Chairman proposed that the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food & Rural Development with responsibility for this general area would be asked to attend a future meeting of the Joint Committee.

6.Any other Business

Future funding of Agricultural Colleges - In a letter to the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Deputy Dukes had raised the question of future funding arrangements for the Agricultural Colleges. It was agreed to invite the Director and representatives of Teagasc, Officials of the Department and representatives of the four private agricultural colleges before the Committee to discuss this matter.

There being no other business the Joint Committee adjourned a 6 p.m. sine die

John Browne (Wexford),

Chairman.

, 2000.

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Meeting of Tuesday, 14 November, 2000

1.The Joint Committee met at 2.35 p.m. in Room G5, Kildare House.

2.Members present: Deputies John Brady, John Browne (Wexford) [in the Chair], Michael Collins, Paul Connaughton, Alan Dukes, Michael P. Kitt, Michael Lowry, Willie Penrose, P.J. Sheehan and David Stanton; and Senators Peter Callanan, Donie Cassidy*,Tom Hayes, Rory Kiely, Francis O’Brien and Fergal Quinn.

Apologies for inability to attend were received from Deputy Gerry Reynolds.

Deputies Simon Coveney, Tom Enright and Paul McGrath and Senator Donie Cassidy attended pursuant to Standing Order 84(3) [Dáil] and Standing Order 74(2) [Seanad].

3.Minutes of Previous Meetings

The minutes of the meeting of 25 October, 2000 were agreed to.

4.Committee Travel

Senator Kiely proposed that the Committee consider a visit to the Select Committee on Agriculture of the House of Commons. It was agreed that the Clerk to the Committee would examine the feasibility of such a visit.

5.Meeting with representatives from Teagasc, officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and representatives from the Agriculture Colleges.

The following representatives were present:

(i)Mr. Seán Gilroy, Director of Administration and Mr. Dave O’Connor, Teagasc;

(ii)Mr. Jim Beecher, Assistant-Secretary General and Mr. Michael Kelly, Assisant Principal, Department of Agriculture, Food & Rural Development;

(iii)Mr. Mike Pearson, Principal and the Rev. Dudley Levistone-Cooney, Gurteen Agriculture College;

(iv)Fr. Bernard Frawley and Mr. Billy Gleeson, Rockwell Agriculture College;

(v)Fr. Joe Harrington, Warrenstown Agriculture College; and

(vi)Mr. Tom Daley, Teacher, Multyfarnham Agriculture College.

The Chairman formally welcomed the representatives from Teagasc, the officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and the representatives from the agricultural colleges and invited each group to make a brief presentation to the Committee.

Mr. Seán Gilroy, Director of Administration, Teagasc made an opening presentation regarding the ESRI Report on the future funding of agricultural colleges. Mr. Dave O’Connor also contributed. This was followed by a presentation from Mr. Jim Beecher, Assistant Secretary General, Department of Agriculture. Further presentations and/or statements were made by Mr. Mike Pearson, Gurteen Agriculture College, Mr. Billy Gleeson, Rockwell Agriculture College, Fr. Joe Harrington, Warrenstown Agriculture College, and Mr. Tom Daley, Multyfarnham College.

A detailed question and answer session followed with the discussion focusing on the manner in which the ESRI Report had been compiled, the future funding of private agricultural colleges and the role of agricultural colleges in encouraging rural redevelopment.

It was agreed that the Chairman and Director of Teagasc be invited to the next meeting to discuss the matter further. In addition, it was agreed that Mr. Joe Walsh, T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development be invited to attend this Meeting also.

The Chairman thanked all the representatives for attending the Meeting.

6.Date and time of next Meeting.

There being no other business the Joint Committee adjourned at 4.35 p.m. until Wednesday, 22 November at 4 p.m.

John Browne (Wexford),

Chairman.

, 2000.

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Meeting of Wednesday, 21 November, 2000

The Joint Committee met at 4.05 p.m. in Room G2, Kildare House.

Members present:Deputies Harry Blaney, John Brady, John Browne (Wexford) [in the Chair], Michael Collins, Alan Dukes, Michael P. Kitt, Michael Moynihan, Willie Penrose, P.J. Sheehan and David Stanton; and Senators Peter Callanan, Donie Cassidy*,Tom Hayes, Rory Kiely, Francis O’Brien and Fergal Quinn.

Apologies for inability to attend were received from Deputy Paul Connaughton.

Deputies Paul McGrath, Sean Ryan and Senator Donie Cassidy attended pursuant to

Standing Order 84(3) [Dáil] and Standing Order 74(2) [Seanad].

3.Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 14 November, 2000 were agreed to.

4.Date and Time of Next Meeting

It was agreed that the next Meeting of the Committee would be held on 20th December, 2000 at 11.30 a.m. and that the draft Annual Report of the Committee together with a draft Report to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges would be for consideration at that Meeting.

The Committee went into Private Session at 4.07p.m

5.Committee Travel

It was agreed that the Clerk to the Committee research the possibility of a visit to (i) the Select Committee on Agriculture of the House of Commons by end January, 2001, (ii) the Danish Folketing and dairy farms in Denmark, and (iii) Eastern European States seeking membership of the EU. It was also agreed that all travel undertaken would be in the context of the Work Programme of the Committee for the forthcoming year.

6.IFA Family Farm Group

Further to its Meeting on 25 October where a submission was heard form the IFA Family Farm Group on the treatment of women under the tax and social welfare codes, it was agreed that an informal subgroup of the Joint Committee be established (consisting of the Convenors and the Spokespersons) to draft a recommendation for transmission to the Minister for Finance. It was further agreed that this draft recommendation be circulated to all Members of the Committee and, if no objections to same are notified to the Clerk, the recommendation shall be forwarded to the Minister for Finance without further referral to the Joint Committee.

7.Milk Quotas

At the request of Senator Kiely, it was agreed that the Clerk to the Committee review the Minutes of the Meeting of 20 September, 2000 at which this matter was initially raised and review also the correspondence that was to issue following that Meeting.

8.Crisis in the Beef Industry

Deputy Stanton proposed that, notwithstanding the decision of the Committee to next meet on 20th December, an urgent Meeting be convened to discuss the crisis in the beef industry. This proposal was agreed to and it was further agreed that the Meeting take place on Wednesday, 29th November at 10.00 a.m.

The Committee went in to Public Session at 4.19 p.m.

9.Meeting with representatives from Teagasc

The following representatives of Teagasc were present:

(i)Dr. Tom O’Dwyer, Chairman,

(ii)Dr. Liam Downey, Director,

(iii)Mr. Seán Gilroy, Director of Administration, and

(iv)Dr. Dave O’Connor.

The Chairman formally welcomed the representatives from Teagasc and the Committee heard brief statements from Dr. Tom O’Dwyer, Chairman of Teagasc and Dr. Liam Downey, Director. A detailed Question and Answer Session followed with the discussion focusing primarily on the future of the private agricultural colleges. At the conclusion of this session, the Chairman thanked the representatives from Teagasc for attending the Meeting.

10.Date and time of next Meeting.

There being no other business the Joint Committee adjourned 6.15 p.m. until Wednesday 29 November, 2000, at 10.00 a.m.

John Browne (Wexford),

Chairman.

, 2000.

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minutes of Meeting of Wednesday, 29 November, 2000

The Joint Committee met at 10.05 a.m. in Room G2, Kildare House.

Members present: Deputies Harry Blaney, John Brady, John Browne (Wexford) [in the Chair], Michael Collins, Paul Connaughton, Alan Dukes, Billy Kelleher, Michael P. Kitt, Willie Penrose, P.J. Sheehan and David Stanton; and Senators Peter Callanan, Rory Kiely and Francis O’Brien.

Apologies for inability to attend were received from Deputy Gerry Reynolds.

3.Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 22 November, 2000 were agreed to. Senator Kiely again raised the matter of the Minutes of the Meeting of 20 September, 2000 relating to the issue of Milk Quotas. The Chairman advised that the review of the correspondence in this matter had not been completed by the Clerk to the Committee.

4.Meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development to discuss the crisis in the Beef Industry.

The Chairman welcomed Mr. Joe Walsh, T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, together with his officials to the meeting and thanked the Minister for attending at such short notice.

The Minister made a statement in relation to the main issues facing the Beef Industry following the increase in the incidence of BSE across Europe. The statement outlined the provisions of the control system of surveillance operating in Ireland; details of the export subsidy available to farmers and the alternative market intervention practices available to the European Commission if this export subsidy is insufficient in meeting the needs of the producers.

A question and answer session followed with the discussion focusing on the need to maintain consumer confidence and to support the producers and processors in the industry. In addition the disposal of rendered material was highlighted as a problem requiring resolution.

On the conclusion of the question and answer session, the Chairman thanked the Minister and his officials for attending and the visitors withdrew.

The Committee went in to Private Session at 11.43 a.m.

5.Report on the Role of Women in Agriculture and related matters.

Deputy Dukes advised that, in accordance with the decision of the Committee at its Meeting on 22 November, the sub-Group met on 23 November and considered the recommendations to be made to the Minister for Finance regarding measures to be implemented to ensure the continued participation of women in Agriculture. The Committee was informed that Deputies Brady, Dukes, Penrose and Sheehan attended this meeting of the sub-Group and Deputy Dukes was elected Chairman.

Deputy Dukes advised also that rather than proceeding with making recommendations directly to the Minister for Finance, the sub-Group agreed to draft a Report on the matter and to bring same to the Committee for consideration.

The draft Report (Appendix A) was brought forward by Deputy Dukes, was read and agreed to. It was further agreed that, as a matter of urgency, the Report be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and be printed and published.

Deputy Dukes requested that the Chairman seek to have the matter debated in both Houses prior to 6th December, 2000.

6.Date and Time of next Meeting.

It was agreed that the next Meeting of the Committee be held on 20th December, 2000, and that the draft Annual Report of the Committee be for consideration on that day.

The Joint Committee adjourned at 11 50 a.m. until Wednesday, 20th December, at 11.30 a.m.

John Browne, T.D., (Wexford),

Chairman.

, 2000.

APPENDIX 8

JOINT COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND THE MARINE

WORK PROGRAMME 2000

Contents

1. Introduction

1.1The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine was established following an order of Dáil Éireann of 13th November 1997 (as amended) and of Seanad Éireann of 19th November 1997 (as amended).

Standing Order 79A(4) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business of Dáil Éireann and Standing Order 63(4) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business of Seanad Éireann require that -

“As soon as may be following its appointment and thereafter at annual intervals, each Select Committee shall prepare a work programme and shall lay such programme before Dáil Éireann.”

Pursuant to this requirement the work programme detailed at section 5 below was agreed by the Joint Committee at its meeting on 14 July, 1998, and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on the same date.

2. Orders of Reference of the Dáil Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

2.1In addition to the remit of the Joint Committee (detailed at 3 below), paragraph (1) (a) of the Order of Dáil Éireann (as amended on 28 April 1998), empowers the Select Committee of Dáil Éireann to consider—

(i)Bills the statute law in respect of which is dealt with by the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, and

(ii)Estimates for Public Services within the aegis of those Departments,

as shall be referred to it by Dáil Éireann from time to time.

3. Orders of Reference of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

3.1Paragraph (2) (a) of the Order of Dáil Éireann (as amended on 28 April 1998) and paragraph (1) (a) of the Order of Seanad Éireann (as amended on 30 April 1998) empowers the Joint Committee to consider—

“(i)such public affairs administered by the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources as it may select, including bodies under the aegis of those Departments in respect of Government policy,

(ii)such matters of policy for which the Ministers in charge of those Departments are officially responsible as it may select,

(iii)the strategy statement laid before each House of the Oireachtas by the Ministers in charge of those Departments pursuant to section 5(2) of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, and shall be authorised for the purposes of section 10 of that Act,

(iv)such Annual Reports or Annual Reports and Accounts, required by law and laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas, of bodies under the aegis of the Department(s) specified in paragraph 2(a)(i), and the overall operational results, statements of strategy and corporate plans of these bodies, as it may select.

Provided that the Joint Committee shall not, at any time, consider any matter relating to such a body which is, which has been, or which is, at that time, proposed to be considered by the Committee of Public Accounts pursuant to the Orders of Reference of that Committee and/or the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993.

Provided further that the Joint Committee shall refrain from inquiring into in public session, or publishing confidential information regarding, any such matter if so requested either by the body or by the Minister in charge of that Department; and

(v)such other matters as may be jointly referred to it from time to time by both Houses of the Oireachtas,

and shall report thereon to both Houses of the Oireachtas.”.

Accordingly, the items listed in this Work Programme will be considered by the Joint Committee within the parameters defined by the Orders of Reference of the Joint Committee, as amended from time to time.

4. Order of consideration of items and amendment of Work Programme of Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

4.1The items detailed in the Work Programme at 5 below are not listed in order of priority. It is the opinion of the Joint Committee that to accord priority and agree a timetable for consideration of the various items would impose a structure that would not enable the Joint Committee to respond to events in a sufficiently flexible fashion. The staff resources available to the Committee are, unfortunately, very limited, and as the Committee is only guaranteed a meeting slot once a fortnight, it would therefore not be practical or prudent to adopt a more rigid timescale at the stage. This position can be reconsidered as and when additional resources become available.

4.2The Joint Committee has therefore agreed that on the conclusion of its consideration of an item it will then decide the next item(s) for consideration. Similarly, as the Committee could not be expected to anticipate all developments falling within its remit, it has agreed that, in response to a particular event, it shall, if it deems it necessary to do so, amend this Work Programme to include further items or delete or revise existing items for consideration. Any such amendment of this Work Programme shall be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as may be following such amendment.

5. Work Programme - Department of Agriculture and Food and Department of the Marine and Natural Resources

A. Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

5.1Bills the statute law in respect of which is dealt with by the Department:

5.1.1Legislation Processed to-date in 2000 or presently before Committee

-National Beef Assurance Scheme Bill, 1999 [Seanad]

-Merchant Shipping(Investigation of Marine Casualties) Bill, 1999

5.1.2Planned Legislation (Department of Agriculture and Food):

-Land Commission Bill

5.1.3Planned Legislation (Department of the Marine and Natural Resources):

-Sea Pollution (Hazardous and Noxious Substances)(Civil Liability and Compensation) Bill

-Foyle Fisheries Commission Bill

-Adventure Activities (Safety) Bill

-Alginate Industries Bill

-Adventure Activities (Safety) Bill

-Coastal Zone Management Bill

-Fisheries Harbours (Amendment) Bill

-Marine Emergency Service Bill

-Minerals Development Bill

5.2Estimates and Supplementary Estimates

5.2.1Such Estimates and Supplementary Estimates for the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources as are referred by Dáil Éireann.

B. Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

5.3Agricultural Reform and the Future of Farming

5.3.1Following the adoption of our key report on the Future of Irish Agriculture, the Committee shall continue to monitor agricultural reform with particular reference to the implementation of Agenda 2000 and the impact of ongoing trade liberalisation and other relevant factors on the future of Irish agriculture, in the following way:

(i)Meet with representative organisations as considered necessary.

(ii)Meet with other interested parties or persons\ groups as considered necessary.

(iii)Undertake visits or fact finding missions in connection with its consideration of any matters relevant to this topic.

5.4Marine Reform and the Future of the Fishing Industry

5.4.1The Committee may, subject to time and resource constraints, monitor the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and other relevant policies \ factors with a view to assessing their impact on the future of the Irish fishing industry. The Committee may

(i)Meet with representative organisations as considered necessary.

(ii)Meet with other interested parties or persons\ groups as considered necessary.

(iii)Undertake visits or fact finding missions in connection with its consideration of any matters relevant to this topic.

5.5Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis

5.5.1The Committee has determined that it shall, subject to time and resource constraints, consider the areas of Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis with a view to preparing a Report. The Committee may:

(i)Engage consultants to assist it in the preparation of the Report.

(ii)Invite submissions from appropriate representative organisations and following consideration of these submissions subsequently meet with those organisations if it deems this to be desirable

(iii)Meet as it sees fit with other interested parties or persons\groups who may inform its views.

(iv)Undertake visits or fact finding missions in connection with its consideration of any matters relevant to the Report.

(v)Lay the Report before both Houses of the Oireachtas following adoption by the Committee.

5.6Food Safety

5.6.1The Committee may, subject to time and resource restraints, consider the vital issue of food safety. The Committee may:

(i)Meet with representative organisations as considered necessary.

(ii)Meet with other interested parties or persons\ groups as considered necessary.

(iii)Undertake visits or fact finding missions in connection with its consideration of any matters relevant to this topic.

5.7Organic Farming

5.7.1The Committee may, subject to time and resource constraints, consider organic farming with a view to furthering the Committee’s understanding of the nature and viability of organic farming and assessing its role within Irish agriculture. The Committee may:

(i)Meet with representative organisations as considered necessary.

(ii)Meet with other interested parties or persons\ groups as considered necessary.

(iii)Undertake visits or fact finding missions in connection with its consideration of any matters relevant to this topic.

5.8Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

5.8.1The Committee may, time and resources permitting, consider the areas of GMOs including transgenic organisms. The Committee may:

(i)Meet with representative organisations as considered necessary.

(ii)Meet with other interested parties or persons\ groups as considered necessary.

(iii)Undertake visits or fact finding missions in connection with its consideration of any matters relevant to this topic.

5.9Off-Shore Oil and Gas Industry

5.9.1The Committee may, time and resources permitting, consider the policy issues surrounding the Irish off-shore oil and gas industry. The Committee may:

(i)Meet with representative organisations as considered necessary.

(ii)Meet with other interested parties or persons\ groups as considered necessary.

(iii)Undertake visits or fact finding missions in connection with its consideration of any matters relevant to this topic.

5.10Animal Breeding

5.10.1The Committee remains interested in keeping itself abreast of developments in this vital area of the agricultural sector which it has previously visited. The Committee may:

(i)Meet with representative organisations as considered necessary.

(ii)Meet with other interested parties or persons\ groups as considered necessary.

(iii)Undertake visits or fact finding missions in connection with its consideration of any matters relevant to this topic.

5.11Consideration of Statements of Strategy under Public Service Management Act

5.11.1The Committee is required under its Orders of Reference to consider the Strategy Statement of both the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources. The Committee may select aspects of these statements on an ongoing basis and may report on the progress made by both Departments in relation to the achievement of their aims and objectives.

5.12Consideration of Annual Reports and\or Accounts

5.12.1The Committee may consider such Annual Reports or Annual Reports and Accounts, required by law and laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas, of bodies under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture and Food or the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources and the overall operational results, statements of strategy and corporate plans of these bodies, as it may select, within the limitations specified in its Orders of Reference.

5.13Conferences and Fact Finding Missions

5.13.1The Committee may participate in Conferences and undertake fact finding missions relevant to subject matters, falling within the terms of reference of the Committee, as it sees fit.

5.14International Parliamentary Association for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

5.14.1The Committee may take part in such Conferences or other meeting necessitated by its membership of the International Parliamentary Association for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

5.15Delegations

5.15.1The Committee may meet delegations from counterpart committees of other Parliaments.

5.16Meeting with Representative Organisations

5.16.1The Committee intends to continue meeting with representative organisations as time, limited resources and its other work commitments permit, as part of the ongoing process of informing itself.

5.17Other Matters

5.17.1The Committee may consider such other matters relevant to its Orders of Reference as it may decide and such matters as may be referred to the Joint Committee by the Houses of the Oireachtas from time to time; and such hold such meetings or conduct such fact finding missions as it considers necessary in connection with the aforementioned.

APPENDIX 1

JOINT COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND THE MARINE

LIST OF MEMBERS

See Page A5 above for List of Members

APPENDIX 2

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

ORDERS OF REFERENCE

See page A1 above for Orders of Reference

APPENDIX 3

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

POWERS OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE

Text of Dáil Standing Order 78A referred to in Joint Committee’s (Dáil) Orders of Reference:

“78A. Without prejudice to the generality of Standing Order 78, the Dáil may confer any or all of the following powers on a Select Committee:

(1)power to take oral and written evidence and to print and publish from time to time minutes of such evidence taken in public before the Select Committee together with such related documents as the Select Committee thinks fit;

(2)power to invite and accept written submissions from interested persons or bodies;

(3)power to appoint sub-Committees and to refer to such sub-Committees any matter comprehended by its orders of reference and to delegate any of its powers to such sub-Committees, including power to report directly to the Dáil;

(4)power to draft recommendations for legislative change and for new legislation;

(5)power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss policy for which he or she is officially responsible: provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil: and provided further that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such policy;

(6)power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss proposed primary or secondary legislation (prior to such legislation being published) for which he or she is officially responsible: provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil: and provided further that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such proposed legislation;

(7)subject to any constraints otherwise prescribed by law, power to require that principal office holders in bodies in the State which are partly or wholly funded by the State or which are established or appointed by members of the Government or by the Oireachtas shall attend meetings of the Select Committee, as appropriate, to discuss issues for which they are officially responsible: provided that such an office holder may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil;

(8)power to engage, subject to the consent of the Minister for Finance, the services of persons with specialist or technical knowledge, to assist it or any of its sub-Committees in considering particular matters; and

(9)power to undertake travel, subject to—

(a)such rules as may be determined by the sub-Committee on Dáil Reform from time to time under Standing Order 91(3)(b);

(b)such recommendations as may be made by the Working Group of Committee Chairmen under Standing Order 92(2)(a); and

(c)the consent of the Minister for Finance, and normal accounting procedures.”.

Text of Seanad Standing Order 62A referred to in Joint Committee’s (Seanad) Orders of Reference:

“62A. Without prejudice to the generality of Standing Order 62, the Seanad may confer any or all of the following powers on a Select Committee:

(1)power to take oral and written evidence and to print and publish from time to time minutes of such evidence taken in public before the Select Committee together with such related documents as the Select Committee thinks fit;

(2)power to invite and accept written submissions from interested persons or bodies;

(3)power to appoint sub-Committees and to refer to such sub-Committees any matter comprehended by its orders of reference and to delegate any of its powers to such sub-Committees, including power to report directly to the Seanad;

(4)power to draft recommendations for legislative change and for new legislation;

(5)power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss policy for which he or she is officially responsible: provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Seanad: and provided further that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such policy;

(6)power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss proposed primary or secondary legislation (prior to such legislation being published) for which he or she is officially responsible: provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Seanad: and provided further that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such proposed legislation;

(7)subject to any constraints otherwise prescribed by law, power to require that principal office holders in bodies in the State which are partly or wholly funded by the State or which are established or appointed by members of the Government or by the Oireachtas shall attend meetings of the Select Committee, as appropriate, to discuss issues for which they are officially responsible: provided that such an office holder may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Seanad;

(8)power to engage, subject to the consent of the Minister for Finance, the services of persons with specialist or technical knowledge, to assist it or any of its sub-Committees in considering particular matters; and

(9)power to undertake travel, subject to—

(a)such rules as may be determined by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges from time to time under Standing Order 71(1)(e);

(b)such recommendations as may be made by the Working Group of Committee Chairmen under Standing Order 71D; and

(c)the consent of the Minister for Finance, and normal accounting procedures.”.

1 Appointed 24 November 1999 following on the resignation of Deputy John Ellis on 10 November 1999

2 Deputies Alan Dukes, Gerry Reynolds and David Stanton appointed on 29 June 2000 in lieu of Deputies Michael Creed, Michael Finucane and Michael Ring

3 As per 2) above

4 As per 2) above

* In substitution for Deputy Willie Penrose

* In substitution for Billy Kelleher, Willie Penrose P.J. Sheehan Apologies were received for non-attendance from Deputies Michael Collins, Willie Penrose and Senator Feargal Quinn Also in attendance Denis Naughton, John Farrelly and Simon Coveney.

* In substitution for Michael P Kitt, Billy Kelleher, Tom Hayes and Francis O’Brien.

* In substitution for Senator Peter Callanan.

* In substitution for Senators Peter Callanan and Francis O’Brien.

* In substitution for Deputies Gerry Reynolds and P.J. Sheehan and Senator Tom Hayes respectively.

* In substitution for Senator Francis O’Brien (for part of the Meeting).

* In substitution for Senator Francis O’Brien (for part of the Meeting).