Vol. 467 No. 2
152 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the composition of the appeals board established to deal with problems arising under the livestock and headage schemes; whether farming groups, such as the Irish Farmers' Association, sheep breeders, and others are represented; and if not the reason therefor. [13018/96]
The headage and premia appeals unit consists of five civil servants, one assistant principal officer, two higher executive officers, one clerical officer and one agricultural inspector. Farming groups are not represented since under EU Regulations my Department is the payment agency for all headage and premia schemes in Ireland, and as such cannot devolve any element of the decision-making process to external organisations.
The two headage divisions of my Department administer the headage and premia schemes. The headage and premia appeals unit is not part of those divisions, does not work to those divisions and is not staffed by people who have had any part in taking the decisions which are appealed to the unit. Consequently, I think it is fair to say that the unit is independent and unbiased in its approach to all appeals submitted to it.
