Written Answers. - Departmental Agencies.
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:
174
Mr. G. Mitchell
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
if he will list every State agency, company, board, group, committee, commission, inquiry or authority which was set up under the aegis of his Department; and if he will give a brief outline of the aims of each such body.
[9922/01]
The information requested by the Deputy on agencies, boards, companies, groups, committees, inquiries or authorities currently operating under the aegis of my Department is provided in the following schedule.
Schedule
Bord Bia
This was established under the An Bord Bia Act 1994. Its general functions are to promote, assist and develop in any manner which the board considers necessary or desirable the marketing of Irish food and livestock.
Food Agency Co-operation Council
This was established in 2000, for the purposes of promoting the fullest possible practical co-operation between the State agencies involved in the food industry in the interests of the optimum development of the industry and of ensuring that the support measures provided for food under the National Development Plan are utilised for the optimum benefit of the industry.
Food Institutional Research Committee
This was set up in 2000 for the purposes of evaluating applications for funding under the Food Institutional Research Measure of the Productive Sector Operational Programme.
Teagasc
Teagasc's remit is to provide research and training services for the development of the agri-food sector and rural communities
Irish National Stud Company Ltd.
Its aim is to manage the national Stud farm and its ancillary activities and to make the services of quality stallions in all price brackets available to Irish thoroughbred breeders.
Bord Glas
Bord Glas aims to promote, facilitate, encourage, co-ordinate and assist the production, marketing and consumption of horticultural produce.
Irish Horseracing Authority
The IHA is responsible for the development of the Irish horseracing industry.
Bord na gCon
Bord nagCon is concerned with the regulation and development of the greyhound industry.
Western Development Commission
The aim of the WDC is to foster and encourage economic and social development in the Western Region (ie Connaught and County Clare and County Donegal).
National Rural Development Forum
The Forum has a wide range of membership and was established to debate issues and identify policy responses to rural problems.
National Milk Agency
This is responsible for the regulation of the supply of milk for liquid consumption throughout the State
Veterinary Facilities Relocation Co-ordination Committee
Following a Government Decision (S130/08/05/0001K) 8 February 2000 a Co-ordination Committee was set up to include the relevant Government Departments and to plan the relocation and replacement of the veterinary laboratories and facilities at Abbotstown.
Audit Committee
Its role is to oversee the programme of scrutiny of commercial transactions in relation to EU funds and to advise on the development of internal audit in the Department, with a view to achieving best practice. The audit committee issues an annual report on its activities.
Accreditation Review Group
The Accreditation Review Group was set up in early 1997, and comprises senior DAFRD management together with representatives of the Department of Finance under the Chairmanship of the Secretary General of the Department. The main aim of the group is to address the substantive issues raised in the report of the certifying body on the audit of the annual account of expenditure charged to the EAGGF (Guarantee Section) by my Department.
Monitoring Committee for the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry 1994-1999
The aim of this committee is to oversee progress under the Operational Programme
Organic Development Committee
In September 2000 an Organic Development Committee was established, on foot of a recommendation by the Agri Food 2010 Committee. The aim of this Committee is outlined in its Terms of Reference, which are as follows:
"to recommend a coherent development strategy to achieve expansion in production, processing and marketing of Irish organic produce and to secure an increased share of the growing national and export markets; and to consider the broad actions necessary for the most advantageous long-term future development of the Irish organic sector while protecting its integrity".
FMD Expert Committee
The Expert Committee on Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) controls, was established in early March, 2001 to review on an ongoing basis the controls and advice appropriate to dealing with the current FMD situation.
Monitoring Committee of the Sheep Forum
The Minister set up the Monitoring Committee of the Sheep Forum in December 1999. The terms of reference of the committee are to progress and monitor implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Sheep Forum and its work is ongoing.
Strategy Group for the Pig Industry
This was established in April 1998 and is a working group with aim of developing a strategy for the Irish pig industry, and includes representatives from the Department, producers, processors, feed compounders and the IFA.
Equine Liaison Committee
The membership of this Committee includes the Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Irish Farmers Association, Veterinary Practioners and Shipping Agents and its purpose is to liaise in connection with health matters which relate to horses.
Monitoring Committee on Protocol for Direct Payments to Farmers
This committee monitors standards in relation to direct payments to farmers.
Milk Quota Review Group
The Milk Quota Review Group was established by the then Minister for Agriculture in 1987. The review Group advises the Minister on the application of the milk quota/super levy regime in Ireland. The group consists of representatives of the farming organisations, dairy industry, Teagasc and my Department.
Quota Review Group (Suckler Cow and Ewe Premium Quotas)
The Quota Review Group was established by the Minister, in September 1993 to advise him as regards the categories of farmers who should receive allocations of suckler cow and ewe premium quota from the National Reserve. The group is comprised of representatives of the major farming organisations, IFA, ICMSA, Macra na Feirme and Teagasc, as well as representatives of this Department. It meets once each year and recommends a number of priority categories of farmers, that is, young farmers, farmers who required additional quota to ensure the viability of the holdings, etc. The group's proposals are submitted to the Minister, who may approve them with or without further amendments. If approved by the Minister, applications are invited from farmers who satisfy the prescribed criteria. Applications are processed and quota allocations are made before the commencement of the application period for the relevant schemes.
Monitoring Committee
This was set up on the recommendation of the Beef Task Force Committee. It involves producer, processor, and state agency representatives. Its role is to oversee expenditure and monitor the effectiveness of the beef promotional campaign and to review and evaluate the implementation of a graded pricing system and mechanical grading.
