Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2007
366 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when Teagasc was established; the area of responsibility it had then; the person it was responsible to; if she and her Department had the total control of Teagasc; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22798/07]
View answerTeagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, was established under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988. Its establishment day was 5 September 1988. Its principal function, set out in Section 4 of the Act, is to provide research, training and advisory services for the agri-food sector.
As provided for in the Act Teagasc is governed by an eleven member Authority. The Chairman and five ordinary members are appointed by the Minister and the remaining five members are appointed by the Minister following nominations from designated organizations. Subject to the provisions of the Act, and other requirements such as the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, it is the responsibility of the Teagasc Authority to exercise full and effective control over the organisation and monitor the executive management and performance.
Ministerial responsibility to Dáil Eireann in relation to Teagasc is confined to matters of policy in accordance with the Act. The Minister does not interfere in the day-to-day operations of Teagasc.
