Mr. Muir appeared before the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA), accompanied by Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Gemma Daly and Senior Principal Veterinary Officer Elsie McGarvey. Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher was not in attendance as he was on annual leave. The committee session came amid widespread public anger and protests over the DAERA operation, which resulted in 51 cattle being shot across three sites near Fivemiletown. Senior Principal Veterinary Officer Elsie McGarvey told MLAs that animal welfare had been the overriding consideration during the operation. Ms. Murphy expressed frustration that neither the Permanent Secretary nor the Chief Veterinary Officer was present.