State Bodies

There are thirteen State Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator)

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) is an independent statutory Office established under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023. The Agri-Food Regulator is concerned with promoting fairness and transparency in the agri-food supply chain. It’s statutory remit and focus is on business-to-business relationships within the supply chain. In exercising this function, the Agri-Food Regulator shall have regard to the circumstances and needs of the agricultural and food sector, including, in particular farming, fishing and small food businesses.

Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board

This is an independent board which handles the appeals process for aquaculture licensing. The Board was established under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997. A person aggrieved by a decision of the Minister on an application for an aquaculture licence or by the revocation/ amendment of an aquaculture licence may make an appeal to the Board in writing within one month of the publication or notification of such a decision, revocation or amendment.

Bord Bia

Bord Bia was established under the Bord Bia Act 1994 and promotes, assists and develops the marketing of Irish food including drink, seafood and livestock and the production, marketing and consumption of horticultural produce.

Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ)

Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) (formerly Bord na gCon) was established under the Greyhound Racing Act, 2019. Its role is chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. It regulates all aspects of greyhound racing in Ireland including licensing, permits to officials, bookmakers, trainers and the implementation of the rules of racing.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Sea Fisheries Board, is the Irish State agency with responsibility for developing sustainable Irish Sea Fishing and Aquaculture industries. BIM’s primary objective is to expand the volume, quality and value of output from the sea fish and aquaculture sectors by focusing on the opportunities for growth in these sectors. BIM was established under the Sea Fisheries Act 1952.

Coillte Cuideachta Ghníomhaíochta Ainmnithe

Coillte CGA is the state forestry company which operates in forestry and related activities on a commercial basis. The company is co-owned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The company was established under the Forestry Act, 1988 which sets out its objectives and duties.

Its principal objectives are to:

• carry on the business of forestry and related activities on a commercial basis and in accordance with efficient silvicultu ral practices;
• establish and carry on woodland industries;
• participate with others in forestry and related activities consistent with its objects, designed to enhance the effective and profitable operation of the company;
• utilise and manage the resources available to it in a manner consistent with the above objects.

Further information on Coillte CGA is available at: www.coillte.ie.

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI)

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) was established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001. Horse Racing Ireland is the national authority for horse racing in Ireland and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the industry.

The Irish National Stud Co. Ltd

The Irish National Stud Co. Ltd was established under the National Stud Act, 1945 and keeps a range of top class stallions with a view to making quality bloodlines available to the thoroughbred horse industry in Ireland. The Stud engages in farming activities and trains people for employment in the bloodstock sector.

Marine Institute (MI)

The Marine Institute (MI) is the national agency with responsibility for Marine Research, Technology Development and Innovation (RTDI). The role of the MI is to promote the sustainable development of marine industry through strategic funding programmes and essential scientific services that safeguard the marine environment through research and environmental monitoring. The Institute was established under the 1991 Marine Institute Act.

National Milk Agency

The National Milk Agency was established under the Milk (Regulation of Supply) Act, 1994 and is responsible for the regulation of the supply of milk for liquid consumption throughout the State.

Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA)

The SFPA is the statutory authority responsible for the enforcement of sea-fisheries protection and seafood safety legislation in the Republic of Ireland and throughout Ireland’s exclusive fishing limits. It was established on 1 January 2007 under the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 and its principal responsibilities are to enforce Sea Fisheries legislation and Seafood Safety legislation fairly and consistently.

Teagasc

Teagasc was established by the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act 1988 to provide integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural community. Its mission is to support science-based innovation in the agri-food sector and wider bio-economy so as to underpin profitability, competitiveness and sustainability.

Veterinary Council of Ireland

The Veterinary Council of Ireland which regulates the practice of veterinary medicine was established on 1 January 2006 under section 11 of the Veterinary Practice Act 2005. The principal function of the Council is to regulate and manage the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing in the State in the public interest.

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine State Board Vacancies

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, invites expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of the State Bodies operating under the aegis of his department, which are outlined below. Also there are two statutory Committees operating under the remit of Horse Racing Ireland to which the Minister nominates members.

Persons being proposed for appointment as chairpersons of State Bodies may be required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas committee to discuss the approach which they will take to their role as chairperson and their views about the future contribution of the State Body in question and, following that discussion, a decision will be taken by the Minister or the government, as appropriate, to confirm the nominee as chairperson.

In the case of a number of the State Bodies, some of the board appointments are made by the Minister on the basis of nominations from various organisations as specified in the relevant statutes. These State Bodies are the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board, Bord Bia, Horse Racing Ireland, National Milk Agency, Teagasc and the Veterinary Council of Ireland.

Vacancies on the boards of the State Bodies, other than those which are filled on the basis of nominations from specified organisations, will be published on www.stateboards.ie. If you are interested in being alerted to vacancies on State Bodies as they arise, you should complete the registration process as outlined on www.stateboards.ie.

If you have any have questions about the process of applying for vacancies please contact info@stateboards.ie

Note 1: Derogation from the Guidelines for Appointments to State Boards was granted by the previous government in accordance with Section 9.3 of those Guidelines to enable the appointment of the CEO to the board. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with the consent of Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform subsequently appointed the CEO to the board.

Note 2: INS Directors are replaced/reappointed on a rotational basis and remain in situ until replaced/reappointed. In relation to the October 2017 appointments, it was agreed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform that three directors and the chairman would be reappointed pending a review of the Articles of Association of the INS which deal with the rotation of Directors.

Note 3: These INS Directors appointments were made under the new Articles of Association of the INS and without recourse to PAS as an exceptional case to bring the terms of members in line with the Code of Practise for the Governance of State Bodies.

Note 4:Minister Creed after consulting with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform invoked the exceptionality clause provision under section 4.5 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 (the Code) to extend terms of appointment of DR Sean Brady and Jessica Harrington on the Board of the INS DAC from 19 May 2020 until 31 December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last Updated: 8 May 2020

2025

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator)

Aquacultue Licence Appeals Board

Bord Bia

Board Iascaigh Mhara

Marine Institute

National Milk Agency

Sea Fisheries Protection Authority

Teagasc

Veterinary Council of Ireland

2024

Bord Bia

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator)

Teagasc

National Milk Agency

2023

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator)

Bord Bia

Teagasc

National Milk Agency