Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1666.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to resource the Agricultural Appeals Review Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32107/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Agriculture Appeals Amendment Bill provides that:

“The Chairperson of the Review Panel and ordinary members of the Panel shall be appointed by the Minister....”

The Bill makes provision for the appointment of five ordinary members, in addition to the Chairperson. Both the Director and the Deputy Director of the Agriculture Appeals Office are also Board members.

The Bill further provides that those appointed by the Minister shall “in the opinion of the Minister, have experience relevant to the functions of the Panel". Again, as provided for in the Bill, there must be at least two persons with practical knowledge or experience of farming appointed to the Panel. I am also required to ensure an equitable balance between men and women in the composition of the Board as set out in the Bill.

I will provide further details on the manner in which the Chairperson and members will be selected and appointed in due course, taking into account all of the factors set out in the Bill.

Administrative support will be provided by the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.