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<title>Tony Killeen - Recent appearances (From KildareStreet.com)</title>
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<dc:date>2009-04-15T16:11:19+00:00</dc:date>

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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.571.0&amp;m=446#g574.14">
	<title>Food Labelling. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.571.0&amp;m=446#g574.14</link>
	<description>Gabhaim bu&Atilde;&shy;ochas leis an Teachta as deis a thabhairt dom freagra a thabhairt ar an &Atilde;&iexcl;bhar t&Atilde;&iexcl;bhachtach seo.  Aonta&Atilde;&shy;m leis an m&Atilde;&copy;id at&Atilde;&iexcl; r&Atilde;&iexcl;ite ag na Teachta&Atilde;&shy;. The issue of labelling of...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="574.3">Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as deis a thabhairt dom freagra a thabhairt ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo.  Aontaím leis an méid atá ráite ag na Teachtaí.</p><p pid="574.4">The issue of labelling of fisheries products is governed by statutory instrument under EU regulations.  The regulations set out specific information which must be included on the label where fishery products are sold at retail level to consumers.  In addition, for the purposes of traceability, this information must be included on the commercial documents for the fishery products throughout the marketing chain, such as during processing, at wholesale level and for use by mass caterers.</p><p pid="574.5">The labelling requirements of the regulations apply only to raw fish and aquaculture products to which no other ingredients have been added except salt, and include live fish; fresh, chilled and frozen fish; fish fillets and other fish meat, whether minced or not; dried, salted or brined fish; smoked fish, whether hot or cold smoked fish; crustaceans, except those which are both cooked and peeled; and molluscs, except when cooked.  Processed products such as breaded fish fillets, crab sticks, ready-to-eat dishes or tinned fish are not covered by the regulations.</p><p pid="574.6">The fishery and aquaculture products listed above which are offered for retail sale to the final consumer must indicate on the label the commercial designation of the species of fish, the production method, whether farmed or caught at sea or in freshwater and the catch area.  These requirements apply only to products for retail sale to the final consumer.  In other words, these rules apply to products which are sold at retail level whether they are pre-packaged or sold loose over the counter.</p><p pid="574.7">These labelling requirements do not apply to small quantities of fishery products sold directly to consumers by either fishermen or producers provided these products do not exceed the value of €20 for each purchase.</p><p pid="574.8">The method of production — the means by which the fish have been obtained — must be also indicated on the product, in other words, whether they have been caught either at sea, or produced by aquaculture.  The production method must be declared as follows: “caught” where the fish were caught at sea or “cultivated” or “farmed” where the fish are produced from aquaculture.</p><p pid="574.9">The catch area must be indicated as follows.  Products caught at sea must detail the name of the area where they were caught according to Appendix VIII, such as “north-east Atlantic”.  This is the minimum amount of information that must be provided.  However, in addition, more detailed information regarding these catch areas may be also given, for example, fish caught in the Irish Sea must declare “north-east Atlantic” but additional information such as “caught off the east coast of Ireland” may be also declared.</p><p pid="574.10">Farmed products must reference the member state or third country in which the product undergoes the final development stage.  For example, if a fish started its life in Scotland and underwent final development in Ireland, the labelling could state “farmed Irish fish” or similar.  Where the product is farmed in more than one member state or third country, the member state where the product is sold to the final consumer shall authorise which member state or third country is to be indicated.</p><p pid="574.11">In July 2008, in response to industry concerns arising from falling quay wall prices, rising fuel costs and a view that imports were impacting on demand in the domestic market for wild Irish caught fish, I established the Irish Seafood Market Initiative Group.  This group recently reported its key recommendations.  These included recommendations that the BIM quality seafood programme should be the primary approach to identifying and differentiating Irish seafood.  This programme will raise consumer awareness on the range of available Irish seafood.  A promotional campaign should be developed in 2009, to raise awareness across a range of available yet under-utilised and less recognised species from fisheries and aquaculture.  The opportunity for regional identification and branding of Irish seafood should be developed.  Seafood should be included in the draft proposal being prepared by the European Commission aimed at consolidating and upgrading food labelling legislation.  BIM is actively working with the industry to endeavour to make these recommendations a reality as soon as possible.</p><p pid="574.12">One recent case that received some media attention was dismissed not for salmon labelling issues but because the judge felt the evidence put before her did not adequately prove that the salmon was farmed as set out in European Council Regulation 1198/2006.  The FSAI and the SFPA are reviewing the case in its totality and the implications arising.  I also refer to a case earlier in the same month, where the same company admitted falsely describing fish as being “caught at sea” when they were in fact farmed and declaring that particular fish were caught in the north-east Atlantic Ocean when they were in fact captured in Norway.</p><p pid="574.13">This shows that the present labelling legislation can provide the necessary strength to protect consumers.  The importance of not misleading the consumer is a fundamental requirement of food legislation and cannot be over emphasised.  The damage done to Ireland by companies trying to manipulate legislation to gain some sort of competitive advantage to the detriment of Ireland cannot and will not be condoned.</p><p pid="574.14">In the overall context, I favour strengthening of the current labelling EU regulations to ensure that there is more information available to the consumer.  I am particularly interested in ensuring that the consumer has enough information to understand where fish have been caught.  It should enable the consumer to make an informed choice and I will pursue these issues at EU level.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T21:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-04.1059.0&amp;m=446#g1061.10">
	<title>Schools Building Programme. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-04.1059.0&amp;m=446#g1061.10</link>
	<description>Gabhaim bu&Atilde;&shy;ochas leis an Teachta &Atilde;� Concubhair agus t&Atilde;&iexcl;im ag freagra&Atilde;&shy;ocht thar ceann an tAire Parthal&Atilde;&iexcl;n &Atilde;� Cao&Atilde;&shy;mh.  I am happy to reply on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Batt O&acirc;��Keeffe, the...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="1061.2">Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Ó Concubhair agus táim ag freagraíocht thar ceann an tAire Parthalán Ó Caoímh. </p><p pid="1061.3">I am happy to reply on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Batt O’Keeffe, the Minister for Education and Science.  I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House the Department’s strategy for capital investment in education projects and to outline the current position with regard to the building project for Holy Rosary national school, Ballycragh, in Dublin 24.</p><p pid="1061.4">Modernising facilities in the existing building stock, as well as the need to respond to emerging needs in areas of rapid population growth, is a significant challenge and is one of the priorities of the Minister for Education and Science.  The Government has dramatically increased investment in the school building programme to €656 million this year.  This is an unprecedented level of capital investment which reflects the commitment of the Government to continue its programme of sustained investment in primary and post-primary schools.  It will underpin a particular emphasis on the delivery of additional school places in rapidly developing areas while continuing to develop on the Government’s commitment to delivering improvements in the quality of existing primary and post-primary accommodation throughout the country.  It will also enable the purchase of sites to facilitate the smooth delivery of the school building programme, again with the focus being on site requirements in rapidly developing areas.</p><p pid="1061.5">All applications for capital funding are assessed in the planning and building unit of the Department.  The assessment process determines the extent and type of need presenting based on the demographics of an area, proposed housing developments, condition of buildings, site capacity etc., leading ultimately to an appropriate accommodation solution.  As part of this process, a project is assigned a band rating under published prioritisation criteria for large-scale building projects.  These criteria were devised following consultation with the education partners.</p><p pid="1061.6">Projects are selected for inclusion in the school building and modernisation programme on the basis of priority of need.  This is reflected in the band rating assigned to a project.  In other words, a proposed building project moves through the system commensurate with the band rating assigned to it.  There are four band ratings overall, of which band 1 is the highest and band 4 the lowest.  Band 1 projects, for example, include the provision of buildings where none currently exists, but there is a high demand for pupil places, while a band 4 project provides for desirable, but not necessarily urgent or essential, facilities, such as a library or a new sports hall.  The building project for Holy Rosary national school has been assigned a band rating of 2.1 which means that the project is well positioned to progress when the necessary funding becomes available.</p><p pid="1061.7">In relation to the Holy Rosary national school, the brief for the project is to provide for the construction of a new 24-classroom school of approximately 3,562 sq. m with three new ball courts and two junior play areas.  The project is currently at an early stage of architectural planning.</p><p pid="1061.8">The progression of all large-scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under the Department’s capital budget.  This project will be considered in the context of the Department’s multi-annual school building and modernisation programme.  The allocation for school buildings in 2009 is €656 million.  This represents a significant investment in the school building and modernisation programme.  This level of funding for the building programme, at a time of great pressure on public finances, is a sign of the real commitment of the Government to investing in school infrastructure and will permit the continuation of progress in the overall improvement of school accommodation.</p><p pid="1061.9">I thank the Deputy again for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House how the Department intends to address the needs of Holy Rosary national school.  However, in light of current economic circumstances and with competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the further progression of this project at this time.</p><p pid="1061.10">I wish to refer to the use of funding allocated to Holy Rosary national school for temporary accommodation.  This was discussed in the radio programme referred to by the Deputy.  It was the current Minister who, last year, announced that schools which have been approved funding for temporary accommodation can avail of the option of using their grants either to purchase prefabs or to construct permanent classrooms for the same amount.  Holy Rosary national school was approved for funding of €240,000 in 2008 for urgently required temporary accommodation.  The Minister welcomes the approach taken by Holy Rosary in availing of this initiative to provide permanent classrooms within the funding allocated.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-04T21:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-04.1054.0&amp;m=446#g1057.10">
	<title>Fisheries Protection. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-04.1054.0&amp;m=446#g1057.10</link>
	<description>Gabhaim bu&Atilde;&shy;ochas don Teachta as ucht deis a thabhairt dom freagra a thabhairt ar an &Atilde;&iexcl;bhair t&Atilde;&iexcl;bhachtach seo.  The Irish fishing industry is wholly dependent on the state of the fish stocks in...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="1057.3">Gabhaim buíochas don Teachta as ucht deis a thabhairt dom freagra a thabhairt ar an ábhair tábhachtach seo.  The Irish fishing industry is wholly dependent on the state of the fish stocks in the Irish zone and in many ways the health of the industry is directly linked to the health of the stocks, which are the bedrock on which the industry is founded.  The decline in fish stocks has not happened overnight; there have been warning signs for some time.  Clearly, this is a European issue and actions to address declining fish stocks and ensure sustainable fishing practices must be taken at the EU Council table.</p><p pid="1057.4">My ultimate aim is to have our fish stocks at high levels and in a healthy state so that they can sustain our industry and coastal communities.  The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, ICES, the competent international authority on fish stocks, has advised that fish stocks in EU waters including those around our coast are in decline, with a near complete collapse of cod stocks in the areas VIa, west of Scotland, and VIIa, Irish Sea.  This assessment is supported by the Marine Institute at national level.</p><p pid="1057.5">The EU Fisheries Councils in November and December 2008 adopted a new cod recovery plan, as set out in Council Regulation (EC) No. 1342/2008 and Annex Ila of the 2009 TAC and Quota Regulation (EC) No 43/2009.  These regulations are applicable to the fishing fleets of all member states fishing with specified fishing gears in the relevant sea areas.  Under these regulations, Ireland and other relevant member states are required to introduce and implement a licensing regime to manage its allocation of fishing effort — days at sea limits in areas VIa and VIIa for vessels using specified gear types.</p><p pid="1057.6">The 2009 TAC and Quota Regulation (EC) No 43/2009 also sets down the level of quotas each member state is entitled to for 2009.  These TACs and quotas were adopted by the EU Fisheries Council taking account of the scientific advice available.  In Ireland we distribute these whitefish quotas among our vessels taking account of vessel size.  This is done at the monthly whitefish quota advisory committee meetings.  This committee comprises members of the FIF, the Irish Fishermen’s Organisation, the SFPA, in addition to officials from my Department.  Every attempt is made to maintain a consensus on what management arrangements are put in place for the following month by species, by area and by vessel size.</p><p pid="1057.7">With respect to the issue of the new days at sea scheme, my Department, following consultations but not agreement, with representatives of the Irish fishing industry, introduced a pilot system of authorisations and allocations of fishing effort for the period 1 February 2009 to 30 April 2009.  The pilot scheme as originally introduced was based on the following: authorisation to fish and allocation of effort days to be determined by track record of vessels; vessels “best year” for the period 2005 to 2008 to establish its track record; track record divided into bands of effort and, depending on the band the vessel fits into, allowing the associated number of effort days for that band for the period; effort days allocation to be divided for the year based on the past fishing pattern of all Irish vessels in the area, for example, if the spring season is important the effort allocation now given will reflect that pattern; effort not used to come back into the national pot for future allocation.  The establishment of track record was based on log book data and has not taken account of any sale or transfer of vessels or capacity.  Any owners in this situation are asked to write to the Department with details which will be examined and effort will be issued if the vessel meets the criteria established above.  Effort will be allocated as a specified number of days at sea which is defined in the regulation as, “a day present within an area shall be any continuous period of 24 hours or part thereof during which a vessel is present within the area and absent from port”.  The actual effort will be calculated as the kilowatt of the vessel by the number of days.</p><p pid="1057.8">I have also already agreed to some amendments as recommended by the Federation of Irish Fishermen to the original pilot scheme as introduced on 1 February.  These amendments cover the treatment of vessels with minimal track record in the areas covered by the scheme and also for the allocation of days at sea to vessels that changed length category from under 10 metres to over 10 metres and less than 12 metres, which can show they have an active track record of fishing in the areas covered by the scheme during the reference periods 2004 to 2008.</p><p pid="1057.9">I appreciate that the introduction of these new conservation measures is a considerable challenge and I have established a steering group, which I announced at the Greencastle meeting, involving the Federation of Irish Fishermen, the Irish Fishermen’s Organisation, the Department and its agencies, to provide support to the industry in relation to the practical implementation of these new measures.  The effort allocations already made were done on a pilot basis only and I am happy to make amendments where proposed by the steering group within the EU legal framework that has been established.  I hope that the arrangements proposed when the current pilot expires at the end of April will reflect more closely the views of fishermen and the nature of the fishing fleet and available fishing opportunities.  In addition, I have asked the steering group to consider the options for providing additional days to fishing vessels on the basis of their undertaking specific additional conservation measures in both areas as provided for in the EU regulations.  The steering group has met a number of times already and is examining possible options that would allow vessels additional days at sea where cod avoidance measures as mentioned by the Deputies, are introduced or where highly selective gear that avoids the catching of cod is introduced.  The group has also recommended that vessels which have a very low catch of cod, less than 1% by catch, be exempted completely from the effort regime.  I will pursue with the EU Commission all such proposals and the suggestions made by the Deputies and I have already made a submission to the Commission, for the exclusion of the vessels with a catch of cod of less than 1%.</p><p pid="1057.10">During the December Council, the Commission also proposed a complete closure on all whitefish fishing in the waters off Donegal.  The measures would have severely impacted on our whitefish fishermen in the north west.  Following intensive negotiations, a package of measures were agreed that both delivered strong conservation measures for the cod, whiting and haddock stocks in decline while facilitating the continuation of important fishing activities for the Irish fleet.  I secured in particular some concessions for smaller vessels which allowed them to employ a mesh size of 110 mm rather than the 120 mm which must be used by all other vessels targeting whitefish.  I fully appreciate that the change-over to larger mesh fishing gear will impact significantly on the fish catch of these vessels.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-04T21:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-17.523.0&amp;m=446#g525.9">
	<title>Agricultural Colleges. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-17.523.0&amp;m=446#g525.9</link>
	<description>Gabhaim bu&Atilde;&shy;ochas leis an Teachta Cregan as ucht an deis a thabhairt dom an cheist a fhreagairt t&Atilde;&iexcl;bhachtach seo.  The Government fully recognises the importance of agricultural education and...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="525.3">Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Cregan as ucht an deis a thabhairt dom an cheist a fhreagairt tábhachtach seo.  The Government fully recognises the importance of agricultural education and training for the development of the agriculture and food industries.  This is reflected in the programme for Government’s commitment to invest in our agricultural colleges and to restructure the environment through which they are supported.</p><p pid="525.4">Responsibility for the provision of agricultural education and training, including decisions on investment in training facilities, rests with Teagasc.  Due to its important role in supporting the Government’s strategy for the agrifood sector, it receives substantial Exchequer resources each year to enable it to provide first class training, research and advisory services.  The total funding provided by the Department for non-capital purposes has increased significantly in recent years, from €82 million in 2000 to an average of €137 million in the years 2007-09.  While this year’s allocation to Teagasc of €135 million is inevitably somewhat less than the previous two years due to the necessary curtailment of public finances, it is nevertheless a substantial amount and an indication of the Government’s continuing commitment to supporting the agrifood sector and recognition of the important role of Teagasc in that regard.</p><p pid="525.5">I am glad to say that, in recent years, we have also been able to provide substantial extra funding to Teagasc for capital development purposes.  In the period from 2000 to 2005, a cumulative total of almost €50 million was allocated, comprising €27 million from the Exchequer and €23 million from retained proceeds from the sale of assets, to enable Teagasc to implement major capital development programmes in upgrading training, research and advisory facilities.  Since 2006, Teagasc has commenced a further major capital investment programme with a particular focus on the development of research centres of excellence.</p><p pid="525.6">Currently, Teagasc delivers its education and training programme through a network of eight colleges, 80 local Teagasc centres and the Teagasc e-college.  It is entirely a matter for Teagasc and its board to prioritise its activities and to allocate its resources accordingly.  In this regard, a review of college infrastructure undertaken for Teagasc by an outside consultancy body was finalised last year and agreed by the Teagasc authority.  Arising from this review, the authority will be making decisions on priorities in terms of future capital expenditure.  A €4 million investment has already been undertaken in an extension to student facilities at Teagasc’s Kildalton College, which is due for completion in May.  Furthermore, Teagasc intends to upgrade student facilities at the College of Amenity Horticulture in the National Botanic Gardens later this year.  This will facilitate the accommodation of students from Warrenstown Horticultural College following the decision of the Salesian order to discontinue the provision of horticultural education at Warrenstown from June 2009.</p><p pid="525.7">Within the various colleges and at a local level, Teagasc provides a wide range of education and training courses targeted at young people planning to embark on careers in farming, horticulture, the equine industry or forestry and adult farmers wishing to acquire a skills set or training in a particular area.  Further education and training courses are available in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and horses at the agricultural and horticultural colleges.  In addition, higher level education courses in agriculture, horticulture, agribusiness, agricultural mechanisation and equine studies are provided jointly with institutes of technology.</p><p pid="525.8">All of Teagasc’s education and training programmes are accredited within the national framework under the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland.  I was pleased to see that there was a significant increase in college enrolments in the current academic year, which augurs well for the future of the Irish agrifood sector.  Teagasc will ensure that education and training are provided in the most effective and efficient manner in the years ahead.</p><p pid="525.9">I am satisfied that Teagasc, with the major capital investment programme it has undertaken in recent years and the ongoing support of the Department, is in good shape and well positioned to provide the innovation and technology transfer necessary for the sustainable development of agriculture, the food industry and rural communities through their integrated research, advisory and education and training programmes.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-17T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-05.197.0&amp;m=446#g285.0">
	<title>Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-02-05.197.0&amp;m=446#g285.0</link>
	<description>Nuair a bh&Atilde;&shy; an Teachta Rabbitte ag gear&Atilde;&iexcl;n nach raibh ach c&Atilde;&ordm;ig n&Atilde;&sup3;im&Atilde;&copy;ad aige, cheap mise nach mbeadh n&Atilde;&sup3;im&Atilde;&copy;ad ar bith agam.  Is d&Atilde;&sup3;cha go bhfuil s&Atilde;&copy; in ord mo chuid ama a roinnt leis an tAire...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="285.2">Nuair a bhí an Teachta Rabbitte ag gearán nach raibh ach cúig nóiméad aige, cheap mise nach mbeadh nóiméad ar bith agam.  Is dócha go bhfuil sé in ord mo chuid ama a roinnt leis an tAire nuair a thagann sé go dtí an Teach.</p><p pid="285.3">It is almost inevitable that most of the emphasis in this debate has been on the public finances and the impact thereon of the considerable drop in taxation receipts.  It would be a great mistake if that were the only message to go out in respect of the state of the economy and of the position with regard to unemployment.  It is extremely important to place alongside the issue of the public finances those relating to job retention and creation and competitiveness, which is something the Minister did very well.</p><p pid="285.4">I greatly regret that for reasons mainly beyond the control of Members of this House, as the debate has developed there has been a strong polarisation between workers in the private and public sectors.  That is both hugely unhelpful and extremely damaging.  The matter must be addressed immediately.</p><p pid="285.5">The Minister has been frequently urged to deal with the issue of taxation on income, particularly in respect of those employed in the private sector.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-02-05T12:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-12-16.439.0&amp;m=446#g443.5">
	<title>Early Retirement and Installation Aid Schemes. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-12-16.439.0&amp;m=446#g443.5</link>
	<description>As the Minister has confirmed in the House previously, he is prepared to look at the possibility of reopening the scheme as soon as the general budgetary situation permits.  Young farmers whose...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="443.2">As the Minister has confirmed in the House previously, he is prepared to look at the possibility of reopening the scheme as soon as the general budgetary situation permits.  Young farmers whose applications were significantly progressed at the time the scheme was suspended are a priority.  In particular, eligible farmers who have continued their training will not be excluded from the benefits of the scheme when it reopens.</p><p pid="443.3">As for the scheme of early retirement from farming, the Minister has also confirmed that whenever it becomes possible to reopen it to new applications, priority will be given to those who were making preparations to apply at the time it was suspended.  An allocation of €56.7 million has been made in the Department’s Estimate for 2009 to meet current commitments under the two schemes.</p><p pid="443.4">A number of farm tax measures were renewed in budget 2009.  These are part of a number of schemes and reliefs that have been put in place in recent years to bring about improvements in land mobility that will, in turn, improve productivity and efficiency, particularly for young farmers.  These reliefs include the renewal of stamp duty relief for four years until 31 December 2012, worth an estimated €53 million in a full year; the renewal of stamp duty relief for farm consolidation for two years from 1 July 2009 to 31 June 2011; the renewal of both the general and the young trained farmers rates of stock relief for a further two years, at an estimated cost to the Exchequer of €2 million in a full year; and the extension of the accelerated capital allowance for necessary farm pollution control facilities from 31 December 2008 to the 31 December 2010, worth an estimated €10 million in a full year.</p><p pid="443.5">When combined, these farm tax measures are estimated to be worth over €65 million in a full year.  In addition, the top rate of stamp duty on agricultural land transactions was reduced, with effect from 15 October last.  This should reduce the cost of agricultural land to purchasers and encourage a higher number of transactions.  All these measures should help young farmers to improve land mobility, increase land swaps and attain higher environmental standards.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2008-12-16T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-12-16.439.0&amp;m=446#g441.6">
	<title>Early Retirement and Installation Aid Schemes. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-12-16.439.0&amp;m=446#g441.6</link>
	<description>I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter and welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate. Ireland is currently experiencing a period of economic turbulence, stemming from...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="441.3">I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter and welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate.</p><p pid="441.4">Ireland is currently experiencing a period of economic turbulence, stemming from both international and domestic factors, and the context for this year’s budget differed considerably from the majority of those of the past 15 years.  The priority in preparing the 2009 Estimates for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food was to focus available resources on the measures that allow us to maintain and grow the productive capacity of the agri-food sector.  The 2009 Estimates provide over €1.8 billion for the Department.  This, when combined with EU funding of €1.4 billion, means that total expenditure in 2009 will amount to over €3.2 billion.  Even with a provision on that scale, however, difficult choices had to be made between competing demands.  It was in these circumstances that it was necessary to suspend the young farmers’ installation aid scheme and the early retirement from farming scheme for new applicants.</p><p pid="441.5">The young farmers’ installation aid scheme was introduced in June 2007 under the aegis of the rural development programme for 2007-13.  It provided a higher grant level of €15,000, an increase of 58%, to farmers between the ages of 18 and 35 years who set up in farming for the first time on or after 1 January 2007.  The principal requirements of the scheme were that applicants must generate a minimum of five production units from farming at the time of first setting up or within 12 months of that date; fulfil, within two years of first setting up on the farm the educational requirements of the scheme; submit and complete a business plan; obtain title or leasehold title to at least 15 hectares of eligible lands in less-favoured areas or 20 hectares in other areas; and have not more than €50,000 in non-farm income in a designated tax year.</p><p pid="441.6">Since the launch of the young farmers’ installation scheme in June 2007, some 941 applications have been received under the scheme and 357 payments made totalling €5.355 million.  The Minister has confirmed on a number of previous occasions that all commitments entered into under the scheme, up to and including 14 October 2008, will be honoured by the Department.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2008-12-16T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-09-24.749.0&amp;m=446#g751.10">
	<title>Farm Waste Management. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-09-24.749.0&amp;m=446#g751.10</link>
	<description>The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, is unable to attend the debate because he was detained longer than he had anticipated fulfilling engagements in Kilkenny as...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="751.3">The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, is unable to attend the debate because he was detained longer than he had anticipated fulfilling engagements in Kilkenny as a result of the decision by the Fine Gael Party to refuse a pair today to allow him to undertake important work at the national ploughing championships. </p><p pid="751.4">I am pleased to have this opportunity to clarify the current position regarding the end of 2008 deadline for completion of work under the revised farm waste management scheme.  The revised scheme was introduced by the Department in March 2006 to assist farmers to meet the additional requirements of the nitrates directive.  The amendments to the scheme included, in particular, an increase in the standard grant rate from the previous 40% to 60%, with 70% being available in the four zone C counties of Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim and Monaghan.  In addition, the new scheme provided for an increase in the maximum eligible investment ceiling from €75,000 to €120,000 and removed any minimum income requirements from farming from the scheme in order that all small farmers could participate in the scheme.</p><p pid="751.5">The immense success of the farm waste management scheme is demonstrated by the 48,580 applications received from farmers by the closing date of the end of December 2006, of which more than 30,000 were received during the final month.  More than 42,200 approvals to commence work have issued to date to farmers under the scheme, with the remaining applications either having been withdrawn, refused planning permission or explained by the receipt of multiple applications from a single farmer.</p><p pid="751.6">The financial commitment of the Government to the farm waste management scheme is substantial, particularly during these challenging economic times.  This is demonstrated by the fact that to date in 2008, €181.8 million has been paid out to farmers under the scheme compared to €21 million in 2006 and €114 million in 2007.  The Department is continuing to process payments under the scheme and I hardly need to confirm again that all farmers who complete investment works in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme will be paid their full entitlements.</p><p pid="751.7">There is no doubt the farm waste management scheme has dramatically transformed the Irish farming infrastructure through this major injection of capital and will leave the sector well positioned to meet the highest international environmental standards required of Irish farming, as well as changing market requirements.  It will also continue to strengthen the competitiveness of Irish agriculture.</p><p pid="751.8">The deadline of 31 December 2008 for completion of investment works under the scheme is a condition of the EU state aid approval governing the scheme and the European Commission has recently reaffirmed that it expects Ireland to respect this deadline strictly.  It should be noted that the farm waste management scheme has been in place since March 2006.</p><p pid="751.9">The terms and conditions of the scheme make it clear that payment of grant aid is conditional on the time limit being respected and the Department has consistently held this position since the commencement of the scheme.  The Department is issuing its second written reminder to all farmers approved to commence work under the scheme to ensure all work is completed and a payment claim submitted to the Department by the end of this year.  No farmer can therefore be unaware of the importance of meeting this deadline.</p><p pid="751.10">I thank the Deputy again for giving me an opportunity to clarify the current position on this matter.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2008-09-24T21:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-07-02.995.0&amp;m=446#g1073.0">
	<title>Fishing Industry: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-07-02.995.0&amp;m=446#g1073.0</link>
	<description>&acirc;��&acirc;��where we confirmed that we would meet Commissioner Borg and convey in the strongest terms the depth of feeling of Irish fishermen and that we would press him to bring forward a new...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="1073.1">——where we confirmed that we would meet Commissioner Borg and convey in the strongest terms the depth of feeling of Irish fishermen and that we would press him to bring forward a new EU-funded package of measures to alleviate the immediate concerns of the industry.</p><p pid="1073.2">We had meetings with the FIF before and during the Fisheries Council on 24 June.  I also met the FIF last Thursday at the innovation and sustainability conference in Donegal town on 26 June.</p><p pid="1073.3">By way of direct engagement with the Commissioner, the Minister had a long telephone conversation with him on 6 June.  We had a bilateral meeting on 18 June at which, having already met the FIF, we were able to convey to him exactly what the fishermen had said to us.</p><p pid="1073.4">At the Fisheries Council on 24 June we reiterated our demands for a co-ordinated EU-funded package of short-term measures to address the present difficulties.  I was pleased by the support extended by some other fisheries Ministers at that Council and hope, with that support, to put further pressure on the Commission at the next Fisheries Council on 15 July.  We want a viable package that must include additional EU-funded provisions.</p><p pid="1073.5">It is clear that there is a degree of common understanding of the issues.  This has been the case throughout the entire process of the Cawley strategy.  There is significant additional pressure on the industry because of the rise in fuel prices.  There is appreciation also that some of the issues cannot be resolved overnight.  However, in at least two of the contributions tonight there was a total misunderstanding of the nature of the French and Spanish measures which fall considerably short of those that have been taken in this country.</p><p pid="1073.6">In the matter of decommissioning, many people emphasise the payments to those who leave the business but the really important element is the economic lift from the redistribution of the whitefish and prawn catch previously taken by the decommissioned vessels.  The figure for this is currently estimated at €20 million per annum, a considerable amount to those who remain.  Ultimately, decommissioning is only valuable if it also benefits the owners and skippers who stay in the fleet.</p><p pid="1073.7">The issue of administrative sanctions was dealt with last night by the Minister, Deputy Smith.  He emphasised that we had listened to the arguments made by the federation and, as promised, that we have referred the matter to the Attorney General for a fresh look at the issue.  As the Ministers responsible, we will be led by the proper legal advice in this matter.</p><p pid="1073.8">Contrary to what a Member said, the Council meeting was very successful in moving to deal with illegal, unreported and unregulated, IUU, imports.  This trade impacts negatively on the income of fishermen.  As Deputy Stanton rightly noted, from the beginning of 2010 the outcome will be of enormous benefit to Irish fishermen.  The reason for the timescale involved is because of the nature of the proposals which are wide ranging and will take some time to come into place.</p><p pid="1073.9">In the matter of discards, Ireland has been to the fore since 2004 in trying to ensure the EU brings forward proposals that are sensible and that address the issues.  We raised the matter with the Commissioner and at the Council meeting and will continue to pursue it until we get a workable resolution.</p><p pid="1073.10">A number of speakers referred to the market and research initiatives which are very important.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2008-07-02T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-07-02.995.0&amp;m=446#g1071.0">
	<title>Fishing Industry: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-07-02.995.0&amp;m=446#g1071.0</link>
	<description>Last night my colleagues, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, and the Minister of State, Deputy Trevor Sargent, set out clearly the issues facing the fishing...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="1071.2">Last night my colleagues, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, and the Minister of State, Deputy Trevor Sargent, set out clearly the issues facing the fishing industry.  They outlined progress made and detailed measures we intend taking to resolve the outstanding problems.</p><p pid="1071.3">I am heartened by some of the constructive suggestions that have come from all sides of the House, notwithstanding some predictable point scoring.  It has been a well-informed debate with an acknowledgment of current fiscal realities and the historical constraints that beset the fishing industry.</p><p pid="1071.4">Our ministerial predecessors with the fisheries portfolio established the seafood strategy review group under the chairmanship of Dr. Noel Cawley to restructure and develop the industry.  The Cawley strategy, Steering a New Course, was launched in January 2007.  Dr. Cawley also agreed to chair an implementation group of all relevant stakeholders, including the Federation of Irish Fishermen, FIF, to bring forward delivery of the report’s recommendations.  This ensures that, at a time when the industry is experiencing extreme difficulties, we have an excellent blueprint to help it develop in a sustainable, profitable and self-reliant way for all participants.</p><p pid="1071.5">Since taking over the portfolio, the Minister, Deputy Smith, and I have had several meetings with the FIF.  An introductory meeting on 29 May addressed the fuel crisis and other general issues.  There was a nine-hour meeting in Athlone on 13 June——</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2008-07-02T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-06-19.489.0&amp;m=446#g493.0">
	<title>Fishing Industry: Statements | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-06-19.489.0&amp;m=446#g493.0</link>
	<description>In addition to the direct impacts of high fuel costs for fishing fleets, I also raised with Commissioner Borg a number of other important issues for the Irish fishing industry that need to be...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="493.1">In addition to the direct impacts of high fuel costs for fishing fleets, I also raised with Commissioner Borg a number of other important issues for the Irish fishing industry that need to be addressed in the European context.  These matters were raised with the Minister and me during our meeting with the Federation of Irish Fishermen on 15 June last.</p><p pid="493.2">The Irish industry is subject to unfair competition, in particular from fish landed by fishing vessels operating completely outside the legal framework.  This type of fishing is known as illegal, unreported and unregulated, IUU, fishing and the adoption of measures to eliminate IUU fish from the EU market is on the agenda of the Fisheries Council in Luxembourg on 23 June.</p><p pid="493.3">IUU fishing means that catches are either misreported or not reported at all.  It is a major contributor to overfishing.  Estimates of the value of IUU fishing worldwide is €10 billion. By comparison, the value of EU landings is approximately €7 billion.  EU fishermen face fierce competition from IUU operators who disregard all the many obligations that legal operators take on.  This results in a loss of market share for the EU legal operator due to different cost structures.  The problem has worsened over recent years with the globalisation of the fisheries sector and this has led to increased trade flows of fisheries products whose legality is difficult to ascertain.</p><p pid="493.4">The EU is the biggest market for and the leading importer of fisheries products with imports of almost €4 billion.  An estimate of illegal fisheries products imported into the EU each year is set at 500,000 tonnes with a value of €1.1 billion or even higher.  We must take strong action to address this menace which is both destroying fish stocks and undermining the markets for Irish fishermen.  The new proposals, which I will be pushing to be adopted at next week's Fisheries Council focus on trade measures and put the onus on member states where fish are landed or imported to verify that they were caught using legal means.  They also include provisions setting down sanctions against countries which continue to facilitate IUU fishing by providing flags of convenience for illegal vessels.  This is an important new policy, which is timely and urgent.  It will, I believe, support the EU market for Irish fishermen and contribute to improving fish prices.</p><p pid="493.5">Since my appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for fisheries, one of the most common issues of concern raised with me by the general public is the level of discards occurring around our coast.  I am fully committed to finding solutions to this problem as early as possible.  Again, tackling discards, especially of mature fish, was one of the key concerns which was identified at the meeting with the FIF.  I share the concerns of fishermen and the general public in regard to the issue of discarding marketable fish and small fish which are the seed crop for the coming years.</p><p pid="493.6">I have been fully briefed on the issues and I am advised that the issue is complex and challenging.  The issue of high levels of discards in commercial sea fisheries is a global problem and is on the agenda of all major international organisations that deal with the development of sustainable sea fisheries and the protection of marine ecosystems.  Fish discarding is a complex problem and is a feature of most fisheries particularly in mixed fisheries such as those which prevail in waters around Ireland.  The solution to discarding must be found at the European level because the rules on fishing gears, mesh sizes and the recording of catches are all set at European level and are applicable to all EU fleets.</p><p pid="493.7">Discarding means the deliberate jettisoning of all or some of a catch by a fishing vessel.  There can be a number of reasons for discarding, including for example where a catch takes the vessel over its quota for that species; the vessel has no quota allocation for a particular species taken in a mixed fishery; the catch taken contains fish below minimum landing sizes; the practice of high grading, which happens when some of the catch is of varying size or quality — only the best will be retained and the rest discarded; or, the species caught has low or no market demand or the price is too low.  Fish discarded do not usually survive but are not recorded in the vessel’s logbook as part of the catch and so the true amount of fish taken out of a stock cannot be determined accurately.  This has implications for appropriate and sustainable fisheries management and also particularly impacts on young fish.  The specification of minimum landing sizes is intended to provide protection in particular for young fish, in order to provide for the continuation of the stock and the sustainability of the fishery.</p><p pid="493.8">A 2005 study published by the Food and Agriculture Organisation estimated the amount of discards in the North Atlantic at 1,332,000 tonnes per year, approximately 13% of the catches.  The estimated discards for the North Sea ranged from 500,000 to 880,000 tonnes.  To the west of Ireland and Scotland, discards ranged from 31% to 90% of catches, depending on the fleets, target species and depth.  In the Mediterranean and Black Seas, discards amounted to 18,000 tonnes or 4.9% of the catches.  In the Baltic, this rate was estimated to be low, at an average of 1.4%.</p><p pid="493.9">There is general agreement among fishermen, managers, and scientists alike that such practices are wasteful and destructive and must be reduced although it is doubtful that they can be eliminated completely, particularly in mixed fisheries.  The focus, therefore, must be to minimise them.</p><p pid="493.10">Ireland has been to the forefront in pressing for action on this issue at European level.  During the Irish Presidency in 2004, we chose the theme of fast tracking the development of environmentally friendly fishing methods as a key focus.  A major international conference was held in Dundalk involving EU member states, Norway and Iceland, with the emphasis on how to reduce discards in commercial fisheries.  Measures proposed to tackle discarding and supported by various stakeholders include improvements in fishing gears and gear selectivity, improvements in fishing methods and fishing practices, the recording of catches rather than landings, onboard observer schemes etc.</p><p pid="493.11">A joint Irish-UK pilot project in the Irish Sea aims to reduce discarding.  The Irish Sea enhanced data collection project has been developed collaboratively between fishing industry representatives, scientists, the North West Waters Regional Advisory Committee and the national administrations from Ireland, England and Northern Ireland.  This study is a very important step in the collection of data on discards with the aim of introducing a scheme whereby discards would be minimised and ultimately eliminated.</p><p pid="493.12">The European Commission has made the elimination of discarding one of the four main fisheries priorities for its Fisheries Directorate.  The Commission adopted a communication on the issue of discards in fisheries on 28 March 2007.  Following further work, a communication on a policy to reduce unwanted by-catches and discards in European fisheries was presented to Council in June 2007.  The Council adopted a range of conclusions on the Commission proposal and these will determine the agenda at European level on this issue for the immediate future.</p><p pid="493.13">The current programme for Government commits to increasing supports to assist fishermen to make the change over to more environmentally friendly fishing gear and I am confident that this will also assist in reducing the incidence of discarding in key fisheries.  At my meeting yesterday with Commissioner Borg I raised this issue as a priority for me, and for the Federation of Irish Fishermen.  While he acknowledged that finding effective solutions is challenging, he restated his commitment to continue to prioritise the current work programme agreed by the Council in June 2007.  I will continue to press for progress on this issue at national, EU and international levels and I am confident that with the co-operation, collaboration and commitment of all the stakeholders significant improvements can be achieved in this most sensitive area for the long-term sustainability of our industry.</p><p pid="493.14">Industry representatives highlighted to me the particular difficulties they are currently experiencing in the cod fishery in the Celtic Sea.  The landings of cod have been high so far this year.  A relatively open regime for fishing these stocks was put in place in conjunction with the industry early in the year, reflecting the good market prices available at that time.  As a result the cod quotas around the coast are fully exhausted or almost so.  This poses a very difficult problem for fishermen now because cod is taken in a mixed fishery with other stocks such as haddock and whiting as well as in the nephrops fishery and cod caught has to be either completely discarded or part discarded depending on the situation with the relevant quota.</p><p pid="493.15">For the Celtic Sea cod stock, the 2008 quotas were set at the December 2007 Fisheries Council where a preliminary 2008 TAG for Celtic Sea cod was set at 4,316 tonnes under Council regulations.</p><p pid="493.16">The need for a level playing field across the EU on fisheries control has been recognised as a national priority both by industry and by the Government.  We have consistently pushed at EU level for these controls.  Yesterday Commissioner Borg acknowledged that the issue has been raised with him by a number of other countries and Ministries.  On foot of the Court of Auditor findings, the Commission has prioritised control and has stated that it intends to review the regulatory regime, to put greater responsibility on member states and give itself stronger powers in this regard.  This is an extremely important issue from the Irish point of view.</p><p pid="493.17">There is also the matter of administrative sanctions which was raised by the fishermen.  I recognise that fishermen would prefer a regime of administrative sanctions, as is the norm on the Continent.  The possibility of introducing administrative sanctions was comprehensively considered, including an examination of practices in other member states, at the time of the passage of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill through the Oireachtas.  The position taken at the time is well known.  It is an issue which is of considerable concern and worry to the FIF and the Department is examining it in so far as that can be done at this stage.</p><p pid="493.18">National measures are being progressed to take account of the current difficulties being experienced by fishermen.  The current whitefish decommissioning scheme which aims to remove a large number of older trawlers from the whitefish fleet is of critical importance.  BIM’s assessment of applications made under the €42 million decommissioning programme is nearing completion and letters of offer to eligible applicants will issue in the very near future.</p><p pid="493.19">This strategy of restructuring the fleet in terms of capacity and efficiency is a key recommendation in line the Government’s Cawley seafood development strategy.  It is also the cornerstone of the Commission’s strategy which, while allowing for short-term emergency aid, continues to emphasise that this is a long-term matter and that medium to long-term restructuring of the fleet must be the priority.</p><p pid="493.20">The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Smith, and I listened very carefully to issues raised by FIF at the two meetings we have had with it and there are several initiatives that we propose to take in the short term.  We are establishing the Irish seafood market initiative under the chair of Jason Whooley, CEO of BIM.  The remit of this initiative will be to discuss, identify and maximize the opportunities for domestic seafood supply to the Irish seafood market.  A second initiative to be taken is the Irish fisheries science research partnership which will be under the chairmanship of Dr. Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute.  This will ensure that the huge amount of knowledge and information in the fishing industry will be taken account of and put into play, in conjunction with the tremendous work that the insititute and its scientists do on behalf of the industry in terms of conservation.</p><p pid="493.21">The aim is to ensure there are stocks for future generations of fishermen as well as for those in the current fleets.  All the information available, from the fleet and its members and from the research people, can be brought together in a meaningful manner and used to influence policies adopted at EU level to the best possible outcome for Irish fishermen.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2008-06-19T14:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-06-19.489.0&amp;m=446#g491.0">
	<title>Fishing Industry: Statements | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-06-19.489.0&amp;m=446#g491.0</link>
	<description>I welcome this opportunity to review the issues relating to the fishing industry and, in particular, to consider the current difficulties it is facing arising from high fuel costs.  As Minister...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="491.2">I welcome this opportunity to review the issues relating to the fishing industry and, in particular, to consider the current difficulties it is facing arising from high fuel costs. </p><p pid="491.3">As Minister of State with responsibility for fisheries I would like to assure the House of my full commitment and, that of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, to a long-term sustainable and profitable fishing industry which is absolutely critical to coastal communities around the country where alternative economic activities are limited.</p><p pid="491.4">Quality, safe seafood is of the highest importance to consumers and we have in Ireland access to a resource that will deliver high quality local products to the Irish market.  The fishing industry is an indigenous industry creating jobs and wealth in parts of the country that do not have access to much of the other urban based employment and wealth creation opportunities.  The Government is, and has been, fully committed to the development of the industry which is based on an indigenous and perpetually renewable resource and of ever increasing value.</p><p pid="491.5">It is fair to say that it has been recognised by both successive Governments and the fishing industry for some time that there was need to address some of the fundamental problems facing the fishing industry in Ireland.  In recognition of this situation, the Minister appointed Dr. Noel Cawley to chair an independent review of the industry and to bring forward a plan for its restructuring and development.  Following intensive discussions around the coast with fishermen and fishing communities, Dr. Cawley, with the support of Mr. Joey Murrin and Mr. Ruain Ó Brie, brought forward a strategy, Steering A New Course: A Strategy for a Restructured, Sustainable and Profitable Irish Seafood Industry 2007-2013.</p><p pid="491.6">The strategy sets out a vision for a sustainable, profitable and self-reliant industry to maximise its long-term contribution to coastal communities based on fish stocks restored to sustainable levels in the context of a healthy and diverse marine environment.  It focuses on a number of key areas, including the restructuring of the fishing fleet to bring it into balance with available resources, a more innovative and co-ordinated approach to the marketing of seafood capitalising on its healthy and nutritious image and, maximising the value of seafood at every stage from the sea to the table.  The Government has committed to this strategy in the programme for Government and has provided for its implementation in the National Development Plan 2007-2013.</p><p pid="491.7">The escalation of fuel costs as a result of global economic and political conditions remains a matter of serious concern for all sectors of industry.  However, it is acknowledged that the fishing industry’s reliance on fuel is such that it is impacted on far more than other sectors.  I reassure the House that I am fully cognisant of, and sympathetic to, the plight of Irish fishermen in the current climate.  It would be simplistic and irresponsible to suggest that there are any quick fixes to the current hiatus but I firmly believe that solutions are to a large extent set down in the Cawley strategy.  We would be foolish if we abandon the course of actions which were carefully thought through to address many of the fundamental structural current problems facing the industry.  We must stay on course and the Government and I remain fully committed to the delivery of the Cawley strategy.</p><p pid="491.8">The problems identified in the Cawley strategy have been further compounded by increases in the price of fuel.  The immediate short-term measures proposed by the fishing industry, such as tie-up aid, can only be addressed in Europe.  I firmly believe that the fuel crisis facing the Irish fishing industry is a European issue and can only be comprehensively dealt with in the European context.</p><p pid="491.9">The Minister and I met with the Federation of Irish Fishermen, FIF, shortly after our appointments to get a flavour of issues facing the fishing sector and heard directly from it the impact of high fuel costs on the Irish industry.  As we realised the serious impacts we decided that we needed to immediately bring the matter to the attention of the EU Commission as this was clearly a European issue.  Without delay, the Minister spoke at length by phone to Commissioner Borg on 6 June outlining his misgivings at the slow response from the Commission to the current situation and conveyed to him the industry’s dismay at the position in which it finds itself.</p><p pid="491.10">Following much publicised unrest, the Minister and I again met with the FIF in Athlone on 13 June.  Following a nine hour frank and productive meeting, we committed to meeting with Commissioner Borg in advance of the Fisheries Council to re-emphasise in the strongest possible terms the long-term and short-term issues facing the Irish fishing industry and to press for a fast and effective EU Commission response to the impact of high oil prices, and other issues, on Ireland’s fishing fleet.</p><p pid="491.11">The Minister and I met yesterday in Strasbourg with Commissioner Borg to discuss the difficulties being experienced by fishermen across Europe and particularly in Ireland.  At that meeting, we forcefully put to the Commissioner all the key points raised by the Federation of Irish Fishermen last Friday.  In the course of the meeting, we impressed upon the Commissioner, as we had undertaken to do during a meeting with the Federation of Irish Fishermen on Friday last, the serious difficulties and the depth of feeling of Irish fishermen and also the urgent need to bring forward a new EU-funded package of measures to alleviate the concerns of Irish fishermen.  We also discussed the proposals outlined by the Commissioner and published on Wednesday evening.</p><p pid="491.12">While I welcomed the proposals, we highlighted the absence of a provision for additional EU funding to underwrite the proposals.  We indicated that the total European fisheries fund allocation to Ireland over the seven year period was only €42 million and that the Government was, under the Cawley strategy and with the support of the fishermen, about to commit at least the same amount of money in the national voluntary decommissioning scheme for older whitefish trawlers.  In that context we re-emphasised the need for the Commission to come forward with additional EU funds to support some of the emergency short term measures called for by the Federation of Irish Fishermen and outlined in the Commissioner’s proposals as published.  Commissioner Borg indicated that he was exploring within DG Mare all possibilities for the identification of some additional funding for the package.</p><p pid="491.13">I am satisfied that Commissioner Borg is now fully acquainted with the issues of concern to Irish fishermen as outlined to the Minister and me last week by the Federation of Irish Fishermen at our meeting in Athlone.  As many of the issues are also of concern to fishermen in other member states, I will be working closely with like-minded colleagues at next Tuesday’s Fisheries Council to continue to press for the package of measures and additional EU funding which would be required to address the difficulties being experienced by fishermen across the EU and, particularly, in Ireland.</p><p pid="491.14">Commissioner Borg advised that following a full discussion on the range of issues affecting the industry at next week’s Council, he will propose a definitive set of proposals for presentation to the Fisheries Council on 15 July.  These proposals must include additional EU funding for the Irish fleet given the funding we have been allocated under the European Fisheries Fund of €42 million to cover the period 2007 to 2013 is woefully inadequate and is accounted for already by measures under the Cawley seafood development strategy.  These funds are in the first instance being used towards the restructuring of the fleet in the decommissioning programme being pursued and the Federation of Irish Fishermen which has confirmed to me that it does not want the funds diverted to support emergency measures.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2008-06-19T14:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-05-20.248.0&amp;m=446#g258.2">
	<title>Fisheries Protection. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-05-20.248.0&amp;m=446#g258.2</link>
	<description>The Deputy is correct that there was no such stipulation from the EU, but there was a stipulation regarding the level of fine to be imposed which, because of the implications of Articles 34, 37...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="258.2">The Deputy is correct that there was no such stipulation from the EU, but there was a stipulation regarding the level of fine to be imposed which, because of the implications of Articles 34, 37 and 38, had the effect to which the Deputy refers.  All of this is being considered.  The Minister and I will engage with the industry and we will try to address these issues to the greatest extent possible.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2008-05-20T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-05-20.248.0&amp;m=446#g252.2">
	<title>Fisheries Protection. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-05-20.248.0&amp;m=446#g252.2</link>
	<description>I intend to meet all interests in this sector as soon as possible.  The first meeting, which will be attended by me and the Minister, Deputy Smith, takes place on Thursday.  The Deputy and others...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="252.2">I intend to meet all interests in this sector as soon as possible.  The first meeting, which will be attended by me and the Minister, Deputy Smith, takes place on Thursday.  The Deputy and others in the House will accept that penalties must be a deterrent and must be dissuasive.  To this end, they must involve depriving the wrongdoer, at a minimum, of the benefits of his or her action.  Deputy O’Keeffe, more than most, will be aware of the provisions and implications of Articles 34, 37 and 38 of the Constitution in this regard.  As I said, all options are being considered.  It is not necessarily the case, in this instance, that administrative fines would be better for people who are guilty of minor offences.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2008-05-20T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-05-20.248.0&amp;m=446#g250.5">
	<title>Fisheries Protection. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-05-20.248.0&amp;m=446#g250.5</link>
	<description>Ireland holds a very important position as custodian of some of the largest and richest fishing waters within the EU and in our location on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.  Ireland continues to...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="250.2">Ireland holds a very important position as custodian of some of the largest and richest fishing waters within the EU and in our location on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.  Ireland continues to maintain high standards in the enforcement of regulations within the exclusive fisheries zone using the resources of the Naval Service, the Air Corps and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. </p><p pid="250.3">Systems for dealing with infringements of the Common Fisheries Policy vary greatly among member states and useful comparisons are not easily drawn.  Many continental legal systems are different from that of Ireland and lend themselves to a structure of administrative fines and penalties.  Previous advice from the Attorney General indicated that under the Irish legal system the types of penalty Ireland is obliged to apply under the Common Fisheries Policy would be viewed as criminal in nature and, therefore, could only be administered by the courts by virtue of Articles 34, 37 and 38 of the Constitution.  Administrative fines for fisheries offences could be introduced in Ireland if this were a requirement under European law.  I am supportive of any positive proposals from the Commission in this regard.</p><p pid="250.4">Under the current legislation, the Sea-fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all sanctions are purely financial in nature.  The Act simply sets down the maximum fines that may be applied.  No minimum fine is set and it is a matter for a judge, taking into account the specific case, to determine the actual fine levied.  The Act also applies for the first time a scaled approach to setting maximum fines, whereby the maximum fines set for smaller vessels are less than those for larger vessels.  In that respect, the 2006 Act sought to guarantee a degree of proportionality for fines based on vessel size, a factor which did not exist in previous legislation.</p><p pid="250.5">The Department is currently reviewing the operation of sanctions under the Act in light of experience since its enactment.  Officials of the Department will be consulting with, among others, industry representatives, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority and the Office of the Attorney General in the course of this review.  The recent changes introduced by the UK authorities, whereby administrative sanctions have been introduced for a small number of minor offences, will also be considered as part of this review.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2008-05-20T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-05-20.217.0&amp;m=446#g225.2">
	<title>Proposed Legislation. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-05-20.217.0&amp;m=446#g225.2</link>
	<description>I intend to prioritise this legislation.  I acknowledge that a significant amount of time has passed but a great deal of work has been done on this Bill.  I would like the heads of the Bill to go...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="225.2">I intend to prioritise this legislation.  I acknowledge that a significant amount of time has passed but a great deal of work has been done on this Bill.  I would like the heads of the Bill to go to the Government in the next month or so.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2008-05-20T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-05-20.217.0&amp;m=446#g223.2">
	<title>Proposed Legislation. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-05-20.217.0&amp;m=446#g223.2</link>
	<description>I assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to bring the Bill before the Government as quickly as possible.  I hope to have the Bill published in the autumn.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="223.2">I assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to bring the Bill before the Government as quickly as possible.  I hope to have the Bill published in the autumn.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2008-05-20T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-05-20.217.0&amp;m=446#g221.2">
	<title>Proposed Legislation. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-05-20.217.0&amp;m=446#g221.2</link>
	<description>I thank Deputy Sheehan for his good wishes.  I am sure he will accept that, whatever about gestation periods, six days in the Department is a short time to expect me to deliver on a ten-year...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="221.2">I thank Deputy Sheehan for his good wishes.  I am sure he will accept that, whatever about gestation periods, six days in the Department is a short time to expect me to deliver on a ten-year process.  </p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2008-05-20T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-05-20.217.0&amp;m=446#g219.5">
	<title>Proposed Legislation. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-05-20.217.0&amp;m=446#g219.5</link>
	<description>Following a comprehensive review of the Forestry Act 1946, the heads of a proposed forestry Bill have been drafted and submitted to me for consideration.  I am studying the implications of the...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="219.2">Following a comprehensive review of the Forestry Act 1946, the heads of a proposed forestry Bill have been drafted and submitted to me for consideration.  I am studying the implications of the Bill and hope to be in a position to present it to the Government shortly.  I hope to publish the forestry Bill in the autumn.</p><p pid="219.3">The main objective in proposing a new forestry Bill is to introduce one principal Act, which will consolidate and update existing forestry legislation in the light of modern forestry knowledge and practice.  The comprehensive legislative framework provided by the forestry Bill will support the development of a modern, multifunctional high-quality forestry sector.</p><p pid="219.4">Among the principal features of the Bill will be the introduction of a simpler and more streamlined felling licence system, the provision of a statutory basis for forestry guidelines and forest management plans, as well as provisions to enhance the protection of forests and plant health.  It also is proposed to take a more flexible approach regarding the question of replanting after harvesting.  However, the general principle of replanting after felling will remain to ensure that the national forest estate is maintained.  The Bill will address many of the issues raised during the consultation process undertaken by the Department over the last number of years.</p><p pid="219.5">The overall thrust of the Bill is to provide for the development of forestry in a manner which maximises the economic, environmental and social value of forests within the principles of sustainable forest management.  It will ensure that the best structures are in place for the development and efficient operation of the forest industry, the proper management of forests after planting and the protection and enhancement of the environment.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2008-05-20T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-05-20.197.0&amp;m=446#g215.2">
	<title>Afforestation Programme. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2008-05-20.197.0&amp;m=446#g215.2</link>
	<description>I assure the Deputy this is one of the issues to which the working group will give close consideration.  It will be interesting to ascertain the impact of the reduction from eight hectares to...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="215.2">I assure the Deputy this is one of the issues to which the working group will give close consideration.  It will be interesting to ascertain the impact of the reduction from eight hectares to five hectares.  In the event of the working group making a recommendation in this regard, I certainly will look on it favourably, if possible.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2008-05-20T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>


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