The Agriculture Appeals (Amendment) Bill 2024 provides for the establishment of the new independent statutory body, which will take on the role currently assigned to the director of agriculture appeals.

The panel will consist of seven members: an independent chairperson, the director or deputy director of the Agriculture Appeals Office, and five additional members with experience relevant to the functions of the panel.

The bill also introduces a time limit of six months for seeking a review of a decision of an appeals officer, where currently there is no time limit.

Agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue said: “I am delighted to welcome the passage of this bill which provides for the establishment of an independent Agriculture Appeals Review Panel in legislation.

“The establishment of this review panel delivers on a priority commitment for this government, and I believe it will be very much welcomed by the farming community.”

He added: “While I believe we already have an effective and efficient appeals service which is provided by the Agriculture Appeals Office, the establishment of an independent Review Panel will serve to further enhance the efficiency and independence of the existing appeals service and provide reassurance to farmers bringing an appeal.”

A separate measure in the bill includes two amendments to the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997.

The first amendment removes the existing requirement that the chairperson and members of the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board vacate their membership on reaching 70 years of age.

The second amendment seeks to amend the tenure of the chairperson of the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board to align with the code of practice for the governance of State bodies.