Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number, with regard to An Bord Bia, of members of the board of this body; the number of whom are appointed by herself; the person by whom the remaining members are appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7256/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The An Bord Bia Acts, 1994 to 2004 provide for the appointment by me, as Minister, of a chairman and 14 ordinary members of the Board. The Acts further provide that one ordinary member be appointed on the nomination of organisations representative of consumers; one ordinary member be appointed on the nomination of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and that not fewer than two of the ordinary members have knowledge or experience of horticulture.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number, with regard to COFORD, the purpose and role of this body; the number of whom are appointed by himself; the person by whom the remaining members are appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7257/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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COFORD is a non-statutory agency under the aegis of my Department. COFORD's remit is to fund and co-ordinate research and development projects with the aim of developing the forestry industry through technical innovation and good silvicultural practice. The term of office of the previous COFORD Council recently concluded. A new Chairman has since been appointed to the Council and a new Council will be appointed shortly. I will make the appointments, in consultation with my colleague, Ms. Mary Wallace, TD, the Minister of State at my Department with special responsibility for forestry.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number, with regard to the Irish National Stud Co. Ltd, of members of the board of this body; the number of whom are appointed by herself; the person by whom the remaining members are appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7258/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Board of the Irish National Stud is comprised of seven Directors, including the Chairman. All appointments to the Board are made by me, in my capacity as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number, with regard to the Veterinary Council of Ireland, of members of the board of this body; the number of whom are appointed by herself; the person by whom the remaining members are appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7259/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Veterinary Council of Ireland was established on 1 January 2006 under the Veterinary Practice Act 2005. The Council has 19 members, all of which are appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. However, fifteen of these appointments are made, as prescribed by Section 16 of the Act, on the basis of nominations as follows:

2 persons nominated by the National University of Ireland

1 person nominated by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland

*1 person nominated by the Director of Consumer Affairs

1 person nominated by the Minister for Education and Science

9 persons elected following Council elections among registered veterinary practitioners

#1 person elected following Council elections among registered veterinary nurses.

*As the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs chose not to exercise its nominating rights, the Minister made the appointment on this occasion as provided under Section 17(2) of the Act.

#Pending the holding of elections by the Veterinary Council of Ireland, this position is currently filled by a veterinary nurse appointed by the Minister as provided under Section 17(3)(b) of the Act.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number, with regard to National Milk Agency, of members of the board of this body; the number of whom are appointed by herself; the person by whom the remaining members are appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7260/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Board of the National Milk Agency comprises thirteen members, consisting of five producer, four processor, two consumer, one distributor and one retailer representatives, all nominated by their respective industry organizations. My role is to approve formally these nominees. In addition, the legislation provides that the Minister nominates the Chairman of the Agency. The current Chairman was appointed in 1995.