Last week (September 30) Fine Gael senator Tim Lombard was elected as vice-chair of the committee. He is also the Fine Gael spokesperson for agriculture, food and the marine in the Seanad.

Tomorrow’s meeting with minister McConalogue follows the first meeting of the committee which took place last week.

Following that initial meeting, deputy Cahill said: “We will not be sitting around and intend on hitting the ground running with our work.

“I will ensure that this is done, by working with all members of the committee, and that its work is focused on issues genuinely affecting the sector at the moment, as well as issues coming down the line,” he concluded.