17.—(1) Teagasc may establish committees to assist and advise it in relation to the performance of its functions.
(2) A committee may include persons who are not members of Teagasc.
(3) Teagasc may appoint a person to be chairman of a committee established under this section.
(4) There may be paid out of the income of Teagasc to members of a committee established under this section such allowances for expenses incurred by them as Teagasc may, with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance, determine.