Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 455: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Fisheries and Food if he will list all appointments made by him between the 14 of January 2011 to the 25 of January 2011 inclusive to State boards, agencies, quangos, bodies, authorities and other bodies within the aegis of his Department; the person appointed in each such case; their professional or personal qualifications which recommended them for the appointment in each case; the remuneration associated with the position; the selection process employed; if it was a new appointment or a re-appointment; in the cases of reappointments, when the person was first appointed to the body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3653/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The only appointments made by me during the period concerned were the appointment of four ordinary members of the Bookmakers Appeals Committee, as provided for by section 56 of the Irish Horseracing Act 1994. That section outlines the conditions of membership of the Committee.

Those appointed to the Committee are

Mr Liam Carroll

Mr Leo McAuley

Mr Michael McCarthy

Mr Colm Quirke

Mr McCarthy and Mr Quirke are both being reappointed to the Committee, while Mr Carroll and Mr Quirke are both first-time members of the Committee. It is considered desirable, but not essential, that Committee Members have a knowledge of racing which would help them in the discharge of their duties. I am satisfied that all four 'ordinary members' have a good knowledge and understanding of the horse-racing industry and are suitably qualified for appointment to the Committee. The Committee meets to hear appeals from bookmakers in cases in which Horse Racing Ireland would have refused, suspended or revoked on-course betting permits, in accordance with section 57 of the Irish Horseracing Industry Act 1994. Committee members have received a fee of €2,000 per annum plus travelling and subsistence expenses at normal civil service rates. I propose to reduce the annual fee in respect of these new appointments.

The Act provides that the chairman of the Committee shall be "a judge or a practising barrister or solicitor of at least 7 years' standing". That position is currently vacant, following the recent death of the outgoing chairman, and I intend to appoint an appropriately qualified person shortly in order to ensure that the Committee is in a position to consider any appeals which may arise.