Biotech industry will be represented by Mr Matt Moran of the Irish Bioindustry Association, which represents biotech companies in Ireland, and Dr Patrick O'Reilly, Monsanto's business manager for Ireland.
Academia will be represented by Prof Peter Whittaker of the Department of Biology, NUI Maynooth, and Prof Fergal O'Gara of UCC Department of Food Microbiology.
Non-governmental organisations will be represented by Mr Quentin Gargan of Genetic Concern, Dr Paul Dowding of TCD Department of Botany, Dr Ruth McGrath, a microbiologist in TCD, and Ms Sadhbh O'Neill of Earthwatch.
The members of the independent chairing panel, which will report to Government on the debate outcome, are: Mr Turlough O'Donnell QC (chairman); Prof Dervilla Donnelly, emeritus professor of chemistry at UCD; Mr Sean Cromien, former secretary of the Department of Finance and a noted ornithologist; and Ms Evelyn Owens, chairwoman of the National Centre for Partnership and a former chairwoman of the Labour Court.