Tuesday, 14 Oct 2014

Written Answers Nos. 105 -111

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (105)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

105. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a single farm payment will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; if he will expedite the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39205/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment /Disadvantaged Areas' scheme application on 8 May 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. This inspection has been completed and the results are now being finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (106)

Pat Breen

Ceist:

106. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39219/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment application on 14 April 2014. I can confirm that 50% advance payments will commence on 16 October 2014 as is provided for in the relevant EU Regulations. The application of the person named has been finalised and I expect that payment will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Food Safety Standards Regulation

Ceisteanna (107)

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

107. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a company's (details supplied) application for registration as a food business operator under European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulation 2009 (SI No. 432 of 2009) on 4 August 2014 will be decided. [39237/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

All slaughter plants whose meat is destined for human consumption must meet the requirements set out in detailed EU food safety regulations, generally referred to as the 'Hygiene Package'. These regulations are implemented in Ireland under the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 432 of 2009). Large scale slaughter plants and all plants involved in equine slaughter operate under the supervision of my Department. An application from the company concerned for approval as a food business operator is under active consideration by my Department and an initial inspection visit to the proposed premises by officials from the Veterinary Public Health Inspection Service is scheduled to take place within the next two weeks. The granting of approval to operate will depend on the outcome of the inspection process and the completion of any upgrading that may be required by the applicant to meet the regulatory standards.

Rural Development Programme Funding

Ceisteanna (108)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

108. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding access to grants in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39251/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Rural Development Programme for the period 2014-2020, which will be co-funded by the European Union and the national exchequer, was submitted to the EU Commission for approval in July 2014. Under the Programme, it is proposed to introduce an on farm capital investment scheme, the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme II. This new scheme will involve a standard grant rate of 40 per cent in general and a specific grant rate of 60 per cent for the young farmer capital investment scheme. The approval of the EU Commission will be required before any new measures can be introduced under the new Rural Development Programme.

As regards credit availability for farmers, I have regular meetings with the CEOs of the three main banks, and all have emphasised that the banks are willing and anxious to lend to farmers seeking to expand. If a farmer has had an application for credit refused or reduced and feels that the bank's decision is unjustified, s/he can seek to have the issue reviewed by the Credit Review Office.

A number of initiatives have been taken by the Government to improve access to non-bank sources of finance. My Department is actively engaged in the State Bodies Group on Access to Finance, chaired by the Department of Finance, which monitors progress on these initiatives.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (109)

Jim Daly

Ceist:

109. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average single farm payments value for herd owners in County Cork. [39253/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme, which is the most recent data available, the average payment to herd owners in County Cork is €12,818.32.

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (110)

James Bannon

Ceist:

110. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on a single farm payment and disadvantaged area scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39255/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Payments under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme began issuing, on target, on 24 September. Processing of the application of the person named has recently been finalised, with payment due to issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named. In relation to the Single Farm Payment, I can confirm that 50% advance payments will commence on 16 October 2014 as is provided for in the relevant EU Regulations.

Appointments to State Boards

Ceisteanna (111)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

111. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a list of all State board appointments since general election 2011; the person who recommended each appointment; the credentials of those appointed; if the vacancy was publicly advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39274/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney)

Since May 2011, a notification has been placed on my Department’s website inviting expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. The list of board vacancies is updated on a regular basis.

In making any board appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant mix of knowledge and expertise to contribute to the relevant board.

In the case of the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board, Bord Bia, Teagasc, National Milk Agency, Veterinary Council of Ireland and Horse Racing Ireland board appointments, while made by me, are not at my sole discretion in that individuals are nominated for appointment by me as specified in the relevant statute.

The information sought by the Deputy is outlined in the following table as at 14 October 2014:

Non-Commercial Bodies

Name of State Body/Agency	Names	Appointment/ Nomination	Credentials of appointee	Person who recommended appointee
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board (ALAB)			No specific qualifications required by legislation
	Imelda Reynolds	Appointment by the Government under Section 23 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997	Chair and former Managing Partner of Beauchamp Solicitors	Expression of Interest
	Brendan Brice	Nomination from prescribed organisation	Engineers Ireland	Nomination from prescribed organisation
	Sean Murphy	Nomination from prescribed organisation	IFA Aquaculture	Nomination from prescribed organisation
	Michael Sweeney	Nomination from prescribed organisation	Muintir na Tire	Nomination from prescribed organisation
	Dr. Owen McIntyre	Nomination from prescribed organisation	An Taisce	Nomination from prescribed organisation
	Jim Power	Nomination from prescribed organisation	Irish Business & Employers Confederation Limited	Nomination from prescribed organisation
	Lorcan O Cinneide	Nomination from prescribed organisation	Federation of Irish Fishermen	Nomination from prescribed organisation
	Camilla Keane	Nomination from prescribed organisation	An Taisce	Nomination from prescribed organisation

Name of State Body/Agency	Names	Appointment/ Nomination	Credentials of appointee	Person who recommended appointee
Bord Bia
	Michael Carey	Minister’s Discretion	Executive Chairman, The Company of Food	Ministerial appointment (within confines of Bord Bia Acts)
	Eddie Downey	Minister’s Discretion	President of Irish Farmers Association (IFA)	Ministerial appointment (within confines of Bord Bia Acts)
	John Horgan	Minister’s Discretion	Managing Director, Kepak Group	Ministerial appointment (within confines of Bord Bia Acts)
	Mary J. Byrne	Minister’s Appointment Bord Bia Act 1994 requires appointment of a DAFM official	Ex officio member/Officer of the Minister	Ministerial appointment (within confines of Bord Bia Acts)
	John Comer	Minister’s Discretion	President of Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA)	Ministerial appointment (within confines of Bord Bia Acts)
	Frank Hayes	Minister’s Discretion	Director of Corporate Affairs, Kerry Group	Ministerial appointment (within confines of Bord Bia Acts)
	Caroline Keeling	Minister’s Discretion	Chief Executive Officer Keeling Group	Ministerial appointment (within confines of Bord Bia Acts)
	Prof. Fergal O’Gara	Minister’s Consent Nominee of the Min for JEI	Appointed by the Minister on the nomination of the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation	Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation
	Gary Brown	Minister’s Discretion	Chief Executive, Below the Line Marketing	Ministerial appointment (within confines of Bord Bia Acts)
	Michael Cronin	Minister’s Discretion	Former Chairman of Irish Dairy Board, Chairman of Agrifood Business Partners	Ministerial appointment (within confines of Bord Bia Acts)
	Rhona Holland	Minister’s Discretion	Marketing Director Global Intelligence Pepsi Co.	Ministerial appointment (within confines of Bord Bia Acts)
	John Kingston	Minister’s Discretion	Beef Farmer	Ministerial appointment (within confines of Bord Bia Acts)
	Brody Sweeney	Minister’s Discretion	Business Entrepreneur, Founder of Camile Thai Kitchen	Ministerial appointment (within confines of Bord Bia Acts)

Name of State Body/Agency	Names	Appointment/ Nomination	Credentials of appointee	Person who recommended appointee
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)			No specific qualifications required by legislation
	Kieran Calnan	Minister’s Discretion	President of South Western Services (SWS) Limited	Ministerial appointment
	Padraig O Ceidigh	Minister’s Discretion	Former chairman and director of Aer Arann Regional	Expression of Interest
	Sean O Donoghue	Minister’s Discretion	CEO of Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation	Re-Appointed
	Prof Damien McLoughlin	Minister’s Discretion	Professor of Marketing and Associate Dean – Internationalisation and Distance Learning at UCD Smurfit School	Expression of Interest
	Bill Deasy	Minister’s Discretion	Retired Fisherman	Expression of Interest
	Raymond J Harty	Minister’s Discretion	Director of a shellfish company	Expression of Interest

Name of State Body/Agency	Names	Appointment/ Nomination	Credentials of appointee	Person who recommended appointee
Marine Institute			No specific qualifications required by legislation
	Dr. John Killeen	Minister’s Discretion	Civil Engineer and former CEO of French Multi-national Group	Expression of Interest
	David Owens	Minister’s Discretion	Vice President, Finance and Operations for SolarWinds (NYSE: SWI).	Expression of Interest
	Prof Patricia C. Barker	Minister’s Discretion	A member of the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants	Ministerial Appointment
	Donal Kelly	Minister’s Discretion	Managing Director of Fast Fish Ltd	Expression of Interest
	Paul Hyde	Minister’s Discretion	Managing partner in the Hyde Partnership Architects.	Expression of Interest

Name of State Body/Agency	Names	Appointment/ Nomination	Credentials of appointee	Person who recommended appointee
National Milk Agency			Nominations are sought from the various representative groups every three years in respect of the nominated members The five producer members are appointed following an election process. The last.
	Denis Murphy	Minister’s Discretion	Deputy chief executive of Dairygold Co-operative Society and extensive experience in the Dairy industry	Ministerial appointment
	Timothy Cashman	Elected to position	Producer Representative	Elected by members
	Jerome Crowley	Elected to position	Producer Representative	Elected by members
	Denis Fagan	Elected to position	Producer Representative	Elected by members
	Eamonn McEnteggart	Elected to position	Producer Representative	Elected by members
	Padraig Mullligan	Elected to position	Producer Representative	Elected by members
	George Kearns	Processor Representative	National Dairies Association	Nomination from prescribed organisation
	Eoghan McSweeney	Processor Representative	National Dairies Association	Nomination from prescribed organisation
	Tony O Driscoll	Processor Representative	National Dairies Association	Nomination from prescribed organisation
	Frank Tobin	Processor Representative	National Dairies Association	Nomination from prescribed organisation
	Walter Maloney	Distributor Representative	Milkmen Dairies Distribution Ltd.	Nomination from prescribed organisation
	John Foster	Retailer Representative	RGDATA	Nomination from prescribed organisation
	Richard Donohue	Consumer Representative	Consumer Association of Ireland	Nomination from prescribed organisation
	Michael Kilcoyne	Consumer Representative	Consumer Association of Ireland	Nomination from prescribed organisation

Name of State Body/Agency	Names	Appointment/ Nomination	Credentials of appointee	Person who recommended appointee
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority
	Dr. Susan Steele Public Service Full Time Position	Recruitment by public competition	As set out by Public Appointment Service (PAS)	Public Appointment Service
	Michael O’Mahony Public Service Full Time Position	Recruitment by public competition Re-Appointed by the Minister	As set out by PAS	Public Appointment Service

The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority consists of three full-time members, including the Chairperson. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine appoints Members of the Authority to hold office for a period of not less than three years and not more than seven years. Such appointments are made following a public competition. Minister appoints the Chair from among the three Board members

Name of State Body/Agency	Names	Appointment/ Nomination	Credentials of appointee	Person who recommended appointee
Teagasc
	Dr Noel Cawley	Minister’s Discretion	Chair, former MD Irish Dairy Board	Ministerial appointment
	Alan Jagoe	Macra na Feirme	Former president of Macra na Feirme.	Macra na Feirme
	Dr. Karina Pierce	Minister’s Discretion	Lecturer University College Dublin (UCD)	Expression of Interest.
	Tom Tynan	Minister’s Discretion	Chief Operations Officer, Welcon AS	Expression of Interest.
	Brendan Gleeson	Minister’s Discretion	Assistant Secretary General, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)	Ministerial appointment, DAFM representative on Authority.
	Tim O’Leary	IFA	Deputy President Irish Farmers Association (IFA)	Irish Farmers Association.(IFA)
	Padraig Gibbons	ICOS	Member of Irish Co-op Organisation society Ltd. (ICOS)	Irish Co-op Organisation Society Ltd. (ICOS)
	Professor Gerald Fitzgerald	Minister’s Discretion	Deputy Director, Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre University College Cork (UCC)	Ministerial appointment.
	Marie Christie	Staff Representative	Teagasc employee	SIPTU
	Thomas Cooke	ICMSA	Member of Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA)	Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA)

Name of State Body/Agency	Names	Appointment/ Nomination	Credentials of appointee	Person who recommended appointee
Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI)
	William Cashman	VCI	Veterinary Practitioner as prescribed under Section 16(1)(h) of the VPA Act 2005	VCI, following elections among registered veterinary practitioners as prescribed by Act
	Martin Blake CVO	Ministerial Appointment with specific criteria for member set out in Veterinary Practice Act 2005 (16.b)	Veterinary Practitioner as prescribed under Section 16(1)(a) of the VPA Act 2005	Minister’s discretion
	Kevin Twomey	Ministerial Appointment with specific criteria for member set out in Veterinary Practice Act 2005 (16.b)	Farmer – who avails of veterinary services as prescribed under Section 16(1)(b) of the VPA 2005	Minister’s discretion
	Barbara Bent	Ministerial Appointment with specific criteria for member set out in Veterinary Practice Act 2005 (16.c)	Person who performs functions relation to animal welfare as prescribed under Section 16(1)(c) of the VPA Act 2005	Minister’s discretion
	Dr. Bridget Younge	Minister for Education and Skills appointment	Person engaged in the provision of higher skills as prescribed under Section 16(1)(d) of the VPA Act 2005	Minister for Education and Skills
	Professor Grace Mulcahy	National University of Ireland (NUI)	Veterinary Practitioner as prescribed under Section 16(1)(e)(i) of the VPA Act 2005	National University of Ireland
	Professor Stephen Gordon	NUI	Associate Professor at UCD School of medicine	National University of Ireland as prescribed under Section 16(1)(e)(ii) of the VPA Act 2005
	Dr Margaret O’Sullivan	Food Safety Authority of Ireland	Consultant in Public Health Medicine	Food Safety Authority of Ireland as prescribed under Section 16 (1)(f)
	Morgan G Lyons	VCI	Veterinary Practitioner as prescribed under Section 16(1)(h) of the VPA Act 2005	VCI, following elections among registered veterinary practitioners
	Michael Sheahan	VCI	Veterinary Practitioner as prescribed under Section 16(1)(h) of the VPA Act 2005	VCI, following elections among registered veterinary practitioners
	Peadar O’Scanaill	VCI	Veterinary Practitioner as prescribed under Section 16(1)(h) of the VPA Act 2005	VCI, following elections among registered veterinary practitioners
	Micheal Sadlier	VCI	Veterinary Practitioner as prescribed under Section 16(1)(h) of the VPA Act 2005	VCI, following elections among registered veterinary practitioners
	Deirdre Campion	VCI	Veterinary Practitioner as prescribed under Section 16(1)(h) of the VPA Act 2005	VCI, following elections among registered veterinary practitioners
	Fergus Smith	VCI	Veterinary Practitioner as prescribed under Section 16(1)(h) of the VPA Act 2005	VCI, following elections among registered veterinary practitioners
	John B Magee	VCI	Veterinary Practitioner as prescribed under Section 16(1)(h) of the VPA Act 2005	VCI, following elections among registered veterinary practitioners
	Raymond Finn	VCI	Veterinary Practitioner as prescribed under Section 16(1)(h) of the VPA Act 2005	VCI, following elections among registered veterinary practitioners
	Susie Walton	VCI	Veterinary nurse as prescribed under Section 16(1)(i) of the VPA Act 2005	VCI, following elections among registered veterinary nurses
	Crionna Creagh	# Ministerial Appointment	Qualified in professional ethics and has legal expertise	The Veterinary Council of Ireland

# Appointment made by the Minister in the absence of a nomination from the National Consumer Agency as provided under Section 17(2) of the VPA Act 2005.

Commercial State Bodies

Name of State Body/Agency	Names	Appointment/ Nomination under Act	Credentials of appointee	Person who recommended appointee
Bord na gCon		All appointments to the Bord na gCon Board require the prior consent of Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) & Department of Finance
	Phil Meaney	Minister’s Discretion (Appointment of Chair has to be approved by Taoiseach’s Office)	Former Director of Stone Developments Ltd, a subsidiary of SISK. Former Chair of Kilkenny Greyhound Company Limited	Ministerial appointment
	Matt Murphy	Minister’s Discretion	Retired Primary school principal with extensive experience of Greyhound Industry	Expression of Interest
	Riona Heffernan	Minister’s Discretion	Chartered Accountant	Expression of Interest
	Timothy Gilbert	Minister’s Discretion	Formerly held a management position in the ESB with extensive experience in Greyhound Industry	Was a serving Director of Bord na gCon prior to his re-appointment 02/12/2011. Subsequently lodged an Expression of Interest
	Tony McNamee	Minister’s Discretion	Former County Council Official and Past President of the Irish Coursing Club with extensive experience in coursing	Expression of Interest
	William O'Dwyer	Minister’s Discretion	Farmer, Auctioneer and Former joint Managing Director of Thurles greyhound track.	Mr O’Dwyer was serving as a Director of Bord na gCon and was re-appointed 12/06/2012
	Colm Gaynor	Minister’s Discretion	Veterinary Surgeon and barrister. Former Chief Veterinary Officer, DAFM; Adjunct Professor – UCD School of Veterinary Medicine; Former Director Food and Veterinary Office	Expression of Interest

† When a Board Member’s term of office has expired, the member remains in situ until the Minister decides to re-appoint or replace the member.

Name of State Body/Agency	Names	Appointment/ Nomination	Credentials of appointee	Person who recommended appointee
Coillte		All appointments to the Coillte Board require the prior consent of Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform
	Brendan McKenna	Minister’s Discretion	Former Chief Executive Officer of Abbott Ireland Manufacturing Operations	Minister's discretion - reappointment (previously served from 26/06/02 to 25/06/07 & 9/10/2007 to 8/10/2012)
	John Moloney§	Minister’s Discretion	Former Group Managing Director of Glanbia	Expression of interest
	Oliver McCabe	Minister’s Discretion	Employee of Coillte; nominated by Union as staff representative	SIPTU - Minister's discretion as Coillte not subject to the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Acts, 1977 to 2001
	David Gunning	Minister’s Discretion	CEO of Coillte (to March 2013)	Minister's Discretion - Reappointment (previously served from 25/7/2006 to 24/07/2011)
	Julie Murphy O Connor	Minister’s Discretion	Partner in Matheson's Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department, specialising in corporate restructuring and insolvency law	Expression of interest
	Jerry Houlihan	Minister’s Discretion	Former Executive with the Kerry Group	Expression of interest
	Roisin Brennan	Minister’s Discretion	Chartered accountant; former Chief Executive of IBI Corporate Finance; Member of the Board at DCC	Expression of interest
	Dermot Mulvihill	Minister’s Discretion	Chartered Accountant; former Group Finance Director of Kingspan Group plc	Expression of interest
	Thomas O’Malley		Employee of Coillte; nominated by Union as staff representative	SIPTU - Minister's discretion as Coillte not subject to the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Acts, 1977 to 2001

§ The position of Chairman has been vacant since 27 November 2013 upon the retirement of Mr. Brendan McKenna. Mr. John Moloney (one of the current Directors) has been nominated by the Minister to become Chairman and met with the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the 3 April 2014; the remaining steps in the process for the appointment of a Chairman are underway.

Name of State Body/Agency	Names	Appointment/ Nomination	Credentials of appointee	Person who recommended appointee
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI)
	Joe Keeling	Minister’s Discretion (Appointment of Chair has to be approved by Taoiseach’s Office also)	Founder, current Chairman and former CEO of the Keeling Group of companies, with a strong interest in and knowledge of the Horseracing Industry	Ministerial appointment
	Neville O’Byrne	Racing Regulatory Body (Turf Club)	Racing Regulatory Body (Turf Club)	Nomination by a prescribed Body
	Noel Meade	Racehorse Trainers	Racehorse Trainers	Nomination by a prescribed Body
	Mary O'Connor	Racing Regulatory Body (Turf Club)	Racing Regulatory Body (Turf Club)	Nomination by a prescribed Body
	Eimear Mulhearn	Racehorse Breeders	Racehorse Breeders	Nomination by a prescribed Body
	Meta Osborne	Racing Regulatory Body (Turf Club)	Racing Regulatory Body (Turf Club)	Nomination by a prescribed Body

A member of the Board of HRI shall not serve for more than two consecutive terms.

Name of State Body/Agency	Names	Appointment/ Nomination	Credentials of appointee	Person who recommended appointee
Irish National Stud		All appointments to the INS Board require the prior consent of DPER
	Matt Dempsey	Minister’s Discretion (Appointment of Chair has to be approved by Taoiseach’s Office also)	Former editor of Irish Farmers Journal.	Ministerial appointment
	John Tuite	Minister’s Discretion	County Council employee with a lifelong interest and knowledge of the bloodstock industry	Expression of Interest
	Seamus Boyle	Minister’s Discretion	Solicitor &qualified mediator	Expression of Interest
	Mark Weld	Minister’s Discretion	Closely involved in the Weld family stud and racing stables	Expression of Interest
	Kate Horgan	Minister’s Discretion	Irish National Stud director from 1993 to 2000, member of Turf Club (National Hunt Committee). Former board member of Irish Horse Board.	Expression of Interest

The Articles of the INS envisage the two longest serving Directors retiring at each AGM. The Minister may decide to re-appoint or replace the retiring Directors. Retiring Directors remain in situ until they are re-appointed or replaced.

Statutory Committees operating under the remit of Horse Racing Ireland

Name of Organisation	Names	Appointment/ Nomination	Credentials of appointee	Person who recommended appointee
Bookmakers Appeal Committee
	Peter Allen	Minister’s Discretion	S 56 of the Irish Horse Racing Industry Act 1994 stipulates that the Chairman of the Bookmakers Appeal Committee must be a judge or a practising barrister or solicitor of at least 7 years standing. Mr Allen meets this criteria.	Vacancy was on advertised on DAFM website. Representation received from Mr Brian Walsh, TD, recommending Mr Allen for the position.