Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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553. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans following the end of the consultation process for the review of the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001; the way in which he will assure the independence of an appeals process that involves his Department in deciding on an appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39725/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Partnership Government provided for a review of the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001, to ensure the independence and efficiency of the office in dealing with appeals from farmers.  In fulfilment of this undertaking, I have established a Review Committee to carry out the review and furnish its Report to me by the end of this year. This will include recommendations as regards the legislation governing, and the future operation of, the Agriculture Appeals Office. Following receipt of the Report, I will consider its findings and/or recommendations.

In order to ensure that the review is as comprehensive as possible, consultation will take place with relevant stakeholders. In this regard, notices inviting written submissions for consideration by the Committee have been placed in the relevant national newspapers. The closing date for receipt of submissions to the Committee is5.30 p.m. on Friday, 6 October 2017.