Assembly Committee and Oireachtas Committee Meet to Discuss Common Concerns

At an informal meeting today the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development discussed common concerns with Members of the Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture from the Houses of the Oireachtas. Issues of concern to both Committees included Animal Health, the EU’s current consultation on Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), and Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) were discussed.

Speaking after the meeting Committee Chairperson, Paul Frew MLA said: “We welcome the opportunity to discuss key issues with our counterparts from the Republic of Ireland. Meeting with the Members of the Oireachtas today has been extremely useful, allowing us to highlight mutual concerns, share ideas and discuss possible solutions. It’s important that the lines of communication between both Committees are maintained to help achieve the best possible outcome for farmers, fishermen and the wider rural community.”

The Chairperson of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Andrew Doyle TD said

“Paul Frew and I first discussed the idea of our Committees meeting up when the two of us attended the National Ploughing Championships in Athy, Co Kildare in September. I and my fellow colleagues found our discussion today very beneficial and informative”.

Members of the Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture also met with the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr William Hay MLA and took a guided tour of Parliament Buildings.

ENDS