Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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745. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if appeals officers have never contacted any inspecting officers, or vice versa, in cases without notifying the relevant applicant of such communications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22459/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Agriculture Appeals Office is an independent agency whose function is to provide an appeals service to farmers who are dissatisfied with decisions made by my Department. Officials from my Department and the Agriculture Appeals Office are independent in all matters. Inspecting Officers from my Department do not contact the Agriculture Appeals Office on any case unless the matter is before the Appeals Office i.e. a herdowner has lodged an Appeal with that Office andif the Appeals Officer dealing with the case has requested clarification on any matter.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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746. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the resources he has made available to the appeals office to deal with the appeals that may have to be reviewed in view of the ruling in a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22460/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The legal case to which the Deputy refers has not yet reached its conclusion, and as the matter progresses I will be obtaining legal advice as appropriate. Accordingly, issues such as those raised by the Deputy can only be addressed following the completion of the legal process.