The request for statistical details in relation to the number of appeals currently under consideration by the Board has been referred to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB) secretariat who will provide this information directly.
ALAB was established on 17th June 1998 under Section 22 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997 (as amended) (the "1997 Act"). The function of the Board is to provide an independent authority for the determination of appeals against decisions of the relevant Minister on aquaculture licence applications.
As provided for under Section 23 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997, the Board consists of a Chairperson and six other members. The Chairperson was reappointed by the Government for a term of five years, from 1st April 2019 to 31st March 2024.
While operating under the aegis of the Department, ALAB is an independent body with its own funding provided for by the Oireachtas under Section 36 of the 1997 Act. The 1997 Act details the main responsibilities and powers of the Board. Under Section 56 of the 1997 Act, the Board is required to ensure that appeals are dealt with and determined expeditiously and that all steps are taken to avoid unnecessary delay.
The staffing resource provided by the Department to ALAB has increased significantly over recent years. Following a request from the Chairperson, a permanent technical advisor was appointed to ALAB with effect from 18th October 2020, the dedicated technical advice resource is assisting the Board in the timely processing of appeals. In addition to this, the numbers of administrative staff currently assigned to the ALAB secretariat has also increased in recent years and the current staffing is as set out below.
ALAB Secretariat Staff 2021
1 x HEO Secretary to the Board- (Full time) *
1 x HEO Technical advisor to the Board
1 x Executive Officer (Full Time)
1 x Clerical Officer (Full Time)
1 x Clerical Officer (Part Time)
The Board is comprised of 7 members
*Under Section 32 of the Act, an officer of the Minister who is an established civil servant and who is seconded to the Board for that purpose, either on a whole-time or part-time basis, shall act as Secretary to the Board.
