Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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1784. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify whether meat plants are informed ahead of all inspections; if he will consider implementing a system that allows for unannounced inspections of scales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46405/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Department approved beef plants are subject to regular inspection to ensure compliance with Beef Carcass Classification Regulations. Such inspections are unannounced and include checks to ensure the accuracy of the scales that are used to determine payment to the farmer, as well as verifying that a daily weight check is completed and recorded by the plant.

Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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1785. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the establishment of a new independent statutory body to be known as the agriculture appeals review panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46425/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals (Amendment) Act 2024 was signed into law on 29th October 2024. 

This Act provides for the establishment of an independent Agriculture Appeals Review Panel. The main purpose of this Review Panel will be to conduct reviews of decisions of Appeals Officers based on errors of fact and/or law, a function currently carried out by the Director of Agriculture Appeals in accordance with Section 10 of the 2001 Act. 

My Department is in the process of finalising Regulations to supplement the 2024 Act and once completed a Panel will be appointed in accordance with the 2024 Act.  The 2024 Act provides that the panel will comprise one Chairperson, five ordinary members (at least two with practical knowledge and experience of farming) and the Director/Deputy Director of the Appeals Office.

Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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1786. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current timeframe to seek a review of a decision of the Agricultural Appeals Office; whether there is an update on the proposed changes to this under the Agriculture Appeals (Amendment) Act 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46426/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that in accordance with Section 10 of the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001 Act, a review of a decision of an Appeals Officer may be sought by either the Department or the appellant in the following circumstances: 

(a) based on new evidence or facts brought to his/her attention, or a relevant change in circumstances, since the decision was made, (these reviews are carried out by Appeals Officers),

(b) based on an error by an Appeals Officer in law, or in fact (these reviews are currently carried out by the Director). 

 Currently, under the 2001 Act, there is no limitation period for seeking a review, meaning that a review may be sought, by either party to the appeal, at any time after a decision has been made.

The Agriculture Appeals (Amendment) Act 2024, which was signed into law on 29th October 2024, provides for the establishment of an independent Agriculture Appeals Review Panel to conduct reviews of decisions of Appeals Officers based on errors of fact and/or law. This function is currently carried out by the Director of Agriculture Appeals in accordance with Section 10 of the 2001 Act, as outlined above. 

The 2024 Act also introduces a time limit of 6 months for seeking a review of a decision of an Appeals officer either where there is a change in circumstance or new evidence or where there is an error in law or in fact in the decision of an Appeals Officer. Regulations are in the process of being finalised by my Department, and, once completed,  the Review Panel will be established in accordance with the 2024 Act and the 6-month time limit for seeking reviews will be introduced.