Central

Department of the Agriculture, Food and the Marine

• Overall policy and legislation;
• Representing the country in international, especially EU, and national negotiations;
• Developing and implementing national and EU schemes in support of agriculture and food;
• Monitoring and controlling aspects of food safety;
• Controlling and auditing public expenditure;
• Regulating the agriculture and food industries, through national and EU legislation;
• Monitoring and controlling animal and plant health and animal welfare;
• Monitoring and directing state bodies engaged in the areas of research, training and advice, market development and promotion, industry regulation and development, and commercial activities;
• Providing direct support services to agriculture, food and forestry.

Responsible ministries/bodies

Department of the Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Regional

Regional Assemblies

• Monitor and make proposals in relation to the general impact of EU funding in the region;
• Develop a Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) which instructs Local Authorities to support and protect existing rural economies, including valuable agricultural lands to ensure sustainable food supply;
• The RSES includes a recognition of the landscape value of traditional farmland, and supports the retention of this landscape structure for cultural, tourism and green infrastructure reasons.

Responsible ministries/bodies

 Regional Assemblies

Sources

Constitution of Ireland – BUNREACHT NA hÉIREANN

Department of the Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) Order 2014 (SI 573 of 2014).

Local Government Act, 2001, Number 37 of 2001

Public Service Information – Citizens Information

The Irish Regions – Brussels Office