Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the areas and functions where responsibility has been devolved from her to a State or statutory agency; the agencies involved; the arrangements in each agency to respond on a priority basis to enquiries from Members of Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9916/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility has been devolved to the following agencies:

Teagasc

Responsibility for the procurement or provision of education, training and advisory services in agriculture as well as responsibility to undertake, promote, encourage, assist, co- ordinate, facilitate and review agricultural research and development including research and development in relation to food processing and the food processing industry was devolved to Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988.

Irish National Stud Company Ltd

Responsibility for the national stud farm in Tully Co. Kildare was devolved to the Irish National Stud Company Ltd (INS) under the National Stud Act, 1945. The Act also gave the INS the power to operate special schemes for the improvement of thoroughbred horse breeding. The Stud also engages in farming activities and trains people for employment in the bloodstock sector.

Bord Bia

Bord Bia was established under the Bord Bia Act 1994 and its primary function is to promote, assist and develop the marketing of Irish Food and livestock and the production, marketing and consumption of horticultural produce.

Coillte Teoranta

Coillte Teoranta was established under the Forestry Act, 1998 as a private limited company, which operates in forestry and related activities on a commercial basis. The principal objectives of the company are:

To carry on the business of forestry and related activities on a commercial basis and in accordance with efficient silvicultural practices,

To establish and carry on woodland industries,

To participate with others in forestry and related activities consistent with its objects, designed to enhance the effective and profitable operation of the company, and

To utilise and manage the resources available to it in a manner consistent with the above objects

National Council for Forest Research and Development (COFORD)

COFORD's remit is to fund and co-ordinate forest research and development projects with the aim of developing the forestry industry through technical innovation and good silvicultural practice. COFORD's role, in recent years, has expanded to include services and advice in areas such as climate change, wood energy and forest products.

Veterinary Council of Ireland

The Veterinary Council of Ireland was established under the Veterinary Practice Act 2005 (No 22 of 2005). Its function assigned under the Act is to regulate the veterinary profession in Ireland.

The Irish Medicines Board

The Irish Medicines Board was established under the Irish Medicines Board Act 1995 (No 29 of 1995), which was sponsored by the Minister for Health and Children. One of the functions assigned under the European Communities (Animal Remedies) (No 2) Regulations 2007 (SI 786/2007) is the licensing of animal remedies and plants manufacturing such products and associated functions.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)

BIM was established under the Sea Fisheries Act, 1952 and is the State agency with responsibility for developing the Irish Sea Fishing and Aquaculture industries. It provides a range of services including advisory, financial, technical, marketing and training supports to all sectors of the Irish seafood industry.

The Marine Institute

The Marine Institute was set up under the 1991 Marine Institute Act. It is the State agency responsible for marine research delivery and is the implementing body for Marine Research Technology Development and Innovation Measures under the National Development Plan 2007-2013.

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA)

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority was established under the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 and is the competent authority for the enforcement of National and EU Regulations on Sea-Fisheries protection and Seafood Safety.

As to arrangements to respond on a priority basis to enquiries from members of Dail Eireann, these are operational matters for the bodies concerned. Ministerial responsibility to Dáil Éireann in relation to the bodies is confined to matters of policy.