Committee of Public Accounts to examine 2021 Appropriation Account for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Fishery Harbour Centres 2021 Financial Statements

The meeting at 9.30am in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be joined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr Seamus McCarthy, and officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.

During the afternoon session, beginning at 1.30pm, the Committee will consider correspondence and other business of the Committee.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Brian Stanley said: “The Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) is responsible for the development and regulation of agri-food, the protection of public health and the optimisation of social, economic, and environmental benefits.

“Expenditure is divided across four programmes, with farm and agri sector schemes and controls accounting for nearly 49 per cent of the spending in 2021. In addition to the Exchequer funding provided through the Vote, The Department is also the accredited paying agency in Ireland for EU payments to farmers and the agri-food sector.

“The Department provides substantial funding for a number of public bodies that operate under its aegis. These include Teagasc, An Bord Bia, the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Horse Racing Ireland, Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board, and Rásaíocht Con Éireann (Greyhound Racing Ireland).

“Total expenditure by DAFM in 2021 amounted to €1.69 billion, with €824 million spent on farm and agri sector supports, €403m spent on policy and strategy, €302m on food safety, plant and animal safety and animal welfare, and €164m on the seafood sector.

“Areas of interest to the Committee include the Horse and Greyhound Fund which received €77m from the Exchequer in 2021, with 80 per cent going to Horse Racing Ireland and 20 per cent to Rásaíocht Con Éireann; governance matters at the Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board; the bovine TB eradication programme; the forestry and bio energy programmes which recorded an underspend of €34m in 2021; and non-compliance with procurement rules.”

Deputy Stanley added: “The Committee will also examine the 2021 Financial Statements of the Fishery Harbour Centres, six designated State-owned facilities owned and operated by DAFM. These centres in Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl develop and support fishery-related activities in Ireland and also have a role in facilitating leisure activities and assisting social and economic development in their respective areas.

“The Committee looks forward to examining these accounts and related matters with Mr Brendan Gleeson, Secretary General of DAFM and the accountable person to the Committee of Public Accounts, and his colleagues.”

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

PAC is a standing committee of Dáil Éireann which focuses on ensuring public services are run efficiently and achieve value for money. Further information on the role and remit of the Committee can be found here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.