Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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637. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department can take whatever time it sees fit to send files to the Agriculture Appeals Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3976/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Under the Agriculture Appeals Regulations the Director of the Agriculture Appeals Office may fix the period within which files requested by that Office from my Department should be provided. This period is currently set at two weeks. 

My Department is committed to adhering to this deadline in respect of all requests for files made to it by the Agriculture Appeals Office. In some cases there are valid reasons for a delay in returning files and, in such circumstances, my Department liaises with the Agriculture Appeals Office with a view to providing the file requested as soon as is practicable.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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638. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a regulation whereby if his Department has not sent a file to the agricultural appeals board within one month the appeal will go in favour of the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3977/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Agriculture Appeals Regulations provide that the Director of Agriculture Appeals may fix the period within which the files requested by the Agriculture Appeals Office should be provided. This period is currently set at two weeks. 

Fair procedures require that the Agriculture Appeals Office hears both sides of appeal cases. Every effort is being made by the Agriculture Appeals Office to ensure my Department returns the file within the required timeframe.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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639. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3979/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Agriculture Appeals Office has confirmed that the person named lodged an appeal on 10 February 2016. A decision letter issued 4 July 2016 notifying the person named of the outcome of the appeal. Additional information was provided by the person named and, following consideration of that information, a revised appeal decision issued on 17 January 2017.