Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I understand that it would be of benefit to have staff who understand the application system but some people who sit on the appeals process should not be former members of the Department. In my county, we have had very high profile cases where people have suffered 100% penalties. They have gone into the judicial system. That should never have to happen. In a working appeals system, that should never have to happen. In a popular appeals process that worked properly, people would not have to resort to the courts, that is a last resort. I accept that people from the Department might be involved in the process to provide background knowledge but when a farmer goes before an appeals body, the least he can expect is that a majority of those there would not have previously been members of staff in the Department. Good work is being done by the appeals process but the confidence of farmers in it is paramount and I appeal to the Minister to keep that at the top of his agenda when this process is being reviewed.

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