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<title>Trevor Sargent - Recent appearances (From KildareStreet.com)</title>
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<dc:date>2009-04-15T16:11:21+00:00</dc:date>

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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g514.2">
	<title>Rural Environment Protection Scheme. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g514.2</link>
	<description>The Deputy is talking up a crisis where there is none.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="514.2">The Deputy is talking up a crisis where there is none.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-09T17:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g512.3">
	<title>Rural Environment Protection Scheme. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g512.3</link>
	<description>Not unless the Deputy&acirc;��s party gets into power. With a view to maintaining the quality and delivery of the overall REPS service and to ensure that REPS planners conform to the highest standards...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="512.2">Not unless the Deputy’s party gets into power.</p><p pid="512.3">With a view to maintaining the quality and delivery of the overall REPS service and to ensure that REPS planners conform to the highest standards of REPS planning, Teagasc proposes to offer a once-off opportunity to the contract planners to apply to Teagasc to become registered contractors and to provide a REPS planning service on terms and conditions set by Teagasc.  I understand discussions on the proposal are ongoing.  However, the proposed arrangements will be required to operate on a fully self-financing basis for Teagasc, as mentioned already.  Teagasc informs me that the new delivery model for REPS will increase efficiency while retaining quality and ensuring a top class service for farmers.  Therefore, there is a definite continuation of work for those planners.  Long may it continue.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-09T17:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g510.2">
	<title>Rural Environment Protection Scheme. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g510.2</link>
	<description>Yes.  Teagasc is a strong part of the equation.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="510.2">Yes.  Teagasc is a strong part of the equation.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-09T17:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g508.3">
	<title>Rural Environment Protection Scheme. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g508.3</link>
	<description>Tempting as it was to interrupt the Deputy, I thought it might be better not to. This is the whole point.  It is not just one body; there is competition out there.  Farmers do get a good service...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="508.2">Tempting as it was to interrupt the Deputy, I thought it might be better not to.</p><p pid="508.3">This is the whole point.  It is not just one body; there is competition out there.  Farmers do get a good service because there is-----</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-09T17:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g505.2">
	<title>Rural Environment Protection Scheme. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g505.2</link>
	<description>It will not be one body.  </description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="505.2">It will not be one body.  </p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-09T17:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g503.7">
	<title>Rural Environment Protection Scheme. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g503.7</link>
	<description>Go raibh m&Atilde;&shy;le maith agat. Nuair a bh&Atilde;&shy; m&Atilde;&copy; anseo ar maidin chuala m&Atilde;&copy; an Teachta agus an Teachta P&Atilde;&iexcl;draic McCormack ag ard&Atilde;&ordm; na ceiste.  T&Atilde;&iexcl; suim agam sa cheist mar t&Atilde;&iexcl; aithne agam ar roinnt...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="503.2">Go raibh míle maith agat.</p><p pid="503.3">Nuair a bhí mé anseo ar maidin chuala mé an Teachta agus an Teachta Pádraic McCormack ag ardú na ceiste.  Tá suim agam sa cheist mar tá aithne agam ar roinnt mhaith de lucht pleanála REPS atá ag obair go príobháideach, chomh maith le daoine atá fostaithe ag Teagasc.  There is no doubt there are job losses in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in accordance - as the Deputy mentioned - with public recruitment policy.  Many of these are due to early retirement, but this is not what we are talking about today.  I listened with interest to the Deputy’s letter from Professor Boyle.</p><p pid="503.4">In accordance with the Act establishing Teagasc, responsibility for the provision of education, training and advisory services in agriculture rests with Teagasc itself.  To enable it to carry out its work Teagasc receives substantial Exchequer resources each year as well as consent to appoint staff up to a certain ceiling.  It is a matter for Teagasc to allocate its financial and staff resources in accordance with its own priorities and in line with Government policy for the development of the sector.  I hope the Deputy’s raising of this issue will help us to square the circle and ensure that we have proper delivery of Teagasc and Government policy.</p><p pid="503.5">I pay tribute to the work Teagasc has done in assisting the implementation of the REP scheme since its launch in 1994.  It has actively promoted farmer participation, provided excellent planning and support services and provided specialist and research-based support for the ongoing development of the scheme.  Much of the credit for the success of the scheme is due in no small way to the consistently excellent service provided by Teagasc over the years.</p><p pid="503.6">Teagasc currently has about 43% of the REPS planning market, the balance being taken up very satisfactorily by private planners.  To provide its existing REPS service Teagasc employs a dedicated body of REPS planners comprising 60 planners employed on a permanent basis and 101 on a contract basis.  The REPS planners are employed by Teagasc on a self-financing basis; that is, they generate enough income through fees and so on to cover the cost of their own salaries, PRSI and travel costs, as well as the overhead costs for the operation of the scheme.  This ensures fair competition with private planners.  I emphasise, however, that the planners do not generate a net profit for Teagasc, as has been suggested.  The requirement of Teagasc is to ensure that the service provided is fully self-financing.</p><p pid="503.7">The contracts of employment of the 101 planners and all other contract staff employed by Teagasc are with Teagasc itself, not my Department.  I understand from Teagasc that among the contract planners, 34 contracts will terminate at the end of June 2009, a further 41 will terminate at the end of December 2009 and 26 at the end of June 2010.  The ban on recruitment and promotion in the public service announced by the Minister for Finance on 27 March to correct imbalances in the public finances applies to temporary appointments on a fixed-term basis and to the renewal of such contracts.  In other words, Teagasc is prevented by Government decision from renewing these contracts.  However, those planners, who are able people, are in a position to work on contract either privately or with Teagasc.  There is flexibility as part of their employment.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-09T17:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g501.3">
	<title>Rural Environment Protection Scheme. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g501.3</link>
	<description>Like all of us, the Deputy has things to learn about Dublin South-West.  I am glad to have the opportunity to reply to the Deputy.  I thank him for his contribution and I hope it has not eaten...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="501.3">Like all of us, the Deputy has things to learn about Dublin South-West.  I am glad to have the opportunity to reply to the Deputy.  I thank him for his contribution and I hope it has not eaten into my time, a Chathaoirligh.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-09T17:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g497.2">
	<title>Rural Environment Protection Scheme. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g497.2</link>
	<description>The Deputy asked me to come in.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="497.2">The Deputy asked me to come in.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-09T17:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g495.2">
	<title>Rural Environment Protection Scheme. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-09.491.0&amp;m=801#g495.2</link>
	<description>There are farmers in Dublin South-West.  I know some of them.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="495.2">There are farmers in Dublin South-West.  I know some of them.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-09T17:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.641.0&amp;m=801#g643.12">
	<title>Fishing Industry. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.641.0&amp;m=801#g643.12</link>
	<description>Ar dt&Atilde;&ordm;s b&Atilde;&iexcl;ire, t&Atilde;&iexcl;&Atilde;&iexcl;thas orm deis a fh&Atilde;&iexcl;il labhairt ar ch&Atilde;&ordm;rsa&Atilde;&shy; iascaireachta in Iarthar Dhuibhneach.  Mar a tharla&Atilde;&shy;onn, bh&Atilde;&shy; p&Atilde;&shy;osa deas maicr&Atilde;&copy;il agam c&Atilde;&ordm;pla uair a&acirc;�� chloig &Atilde;&sup3; shin sa...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="643.2">Ar dtús báire, tááthas orm deis a fháil labhairt ar chúrsaí iascaireachta in Iarthar Dhuibhneach.  Mar a tharlaíonn, bhí píosa deas maicréil agam cúpla uair a’ chloig ó shin sa bhialann i dTeach Laighean.  Bhí sé blasta go maith.  Dá bhrí sin, tá suim faoi leith agam i saol agus todhchaí na hiascaireachta.  Ní hamháin sin, ach tá iascairí i mó dháilcheantar fhéin, mar atá i dháilcheantar an Teachta Sheahan.  Bíonn mé ag éisteacht le ghlór Bhaile na nGall gach lá ar Raidió na Gaeltachta.  Gan amhras, má tá daoine ag iarraidh buaileadh le hoifigigh ó mo Roinn, nó liomsa, ní gá dóibh ach litir a scríobh agus déanfar é sin.  Is ábhar eile é sin.  Ba mhaith liom tagairt ghinearálta a dhéanamh ar an cheist a d’ardaigh an Teachta Sheahan anocht.</p><p pid="643.3">The most critical issue for the fishing sector nationally and in west Kerry is the impact of progressively reducing quotas, which has been the pattern for several years.  This reflects the reality, supported by scientific evidence, of the decline to dangerously low levels of many fish stocks of importance to Irish fishermen.  The view of many fishermen that some stocks have recovered dramatically does not at present enjoy scientific support.  The species that has attracted most headlines is cod, although other important stocks such as whiting, sole and herring are also in need of rebuilding.</p><p pid="643.4">It has been a consistent aim of this and previous Administrations to restore our fish stocks to high levels and to a healthy state in order to sustain our industry and coastal communities.  It is generally accepted that effective management and conservation measures must be adopted at European Union and national levels to rebuild our fish stocks and ensure a viable and sustainable livelihood for fishermen.  This year we faced a severe range of cuts across many of the commercial stocks on which our fleet relies.  The Minister, Deputy Smith, and Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, only accepted cuts on stocks where the science was strong.  In the final package, a balance was struck that will give fishermen whitefish opportunities to the value of €202 million for 2009, an increase from €194 million in 2008.  In addition, the delivery of additional quotas for the main commercial stocks of importance to Ireland through the invocation of the Hague preferences on 11 fish stocks around Ireland was critical to provide good fishing opportunities for 2009.</p><p pid="643.5">The Hague preferences agreed by Heads of State in 1976 give Ireland additional quota in certain species and, as such, are fundamental to ensuring relative stability.  The preferences came under sustained attack from several member states this year and their removal was identified as a substantial risk with serious consequences for Ireland given that they almost doubled our cod quota in the Celtic Sea and increased the quota in the Irish Sea by some 40%.  I cannot emphasise enough the difficulty Ministers faced on several fronts in regard to the Hague preferences.  However, I am pleased to say that they have been successful in their efforts to defend this issue of critical importance for Irish fishermen.</p><p pid="643.6">On the pelagic stocks, the total fishing opportunities available to Ireland equate to 137,000 tonnes in 2009.  Of key importance is the 33% increase in mackerel quota secured for 2009 and the roll-over in the 40,500 tonnes of horse mackerel quota.  With regard to the new provisions for the distribution of the 2009 mackerel quota, having examined in detail the cases made on behalf of the polyvalent fleet and the refrigerated sea water, RSW, fleet, respectively, the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, decided to introduce new arrangements for the share out of mackerel for 2009 and future years.  Under the new arrangements, the polyvalent segment will be allocated 13% of the mackerel quota.  For 2009, this will involve a total allocation of 8,562 tonnes for the polyvalent fleet rather than the 7,000 tonnes set allocation in place heretofore.  This allocation for 2009 involves a 22.3% increase for the polyvalent segment.</p><p pid="643.7">The representatives of the polyvalent - or multi-purpose - vessels in the Irish fleet had sought an increased share of Ireland’s mackerel quota for 2009, while the representatives of the RSW fleet, based in the north west, opposed any increase in the share for the polyvalent vessels.  The background to this situation is that the allocation arrangements were last revised in 2001.  Since then, the polyvalent vessels have had an allocation of 7,000 tonnes of mackerel from Ireland’s quota.  This represented 10% of the Irish quota when the arrangements were put in place in 2001.  In all years except 2002 the Irish mackerel quota has fallen well below the 2001 level - as low as 46,000 in 2005 - and the allocation to the polyvalent vessels has remained at the set level of 7,000 tonnes.  The reductions in the quota each year were borne in total by the RSW pelagic segment vessels.  In 2009, the mackerel quota has been increased to 66,068 tonnes, which remains below the 2001 quota when the share out arrangement was last determined.</p><p pid="643.8">I will now deal with the new days at sea scheme as implemented from 1 February.  While these provisions relate to the Irish Sea and the north west, the reality is that our fishing fleet is mobile and that vessels from the south west operate in both areas from time to time.  The European Union Fisheries Councils in November and December 2008 adopted a new cod recovery plan.  The regulations are applicable to the fishing fleets of all member states fishing with specified fishing gears in the relevant sea areas.  Under the regulations, Ireland and other relevant member states are required to introduce and implement a licensing regime to manage their allocation of fishing effort in respect of days at sea limits in areas VIA, north west of Ireland, and VIIA, the Irish Sea, for vessels using specified gear types.</p><p pid="643.9">Following consultations with representatives of the fishing industry, my Department, as required, introduced a pilot system of authorisations and allocations of fishing effort for the period 1 February 2009 to 30 April 2009.  I am well aware that the nature of these new conservation measures, which limit the level of effort fishermen can utilise, poses serious challenges for fishermen.  As a result, the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, established a steering group involving the Federation of Irish Fishermen, FIF, the Irish Fishermen’s Organisation, IFO, the Department and its agencies to provide support to the industry in regard to the practical implementation of these new measures.  This group, which is currently meeting on a weekly basis, has already put forward amendments that have been accepted and implemented.  It is important to reiterate that these measures were introduced on a pilot basis and that the steering group is working hard to develop new proposals within the EU legal framework established for the second management period, which will begin on 1 May.</p><p pid="643.10">I accept that for those within the fisheries sector, and indeed those looking in from the outside, it appears, with some justification, that we are stumbling from one crisis to another.  Last year, we were hit with escalating fuel prices bringing into question the economic viability of the sector.  While, thankfully, the fuel issue has at least abated for now, it did show up some of the imbalances in our fishing fleet which I am confident will have been alleviated by the impact of the whitefish decommissioning scheme.  A total of 46 vessels have been approved under the scheme at a total cost of €36.6 million.  In Kerry, four vessels were decommissioned at a cost of €2.6 million.  Nationally, these vessels represent a total capacity decommissioned of 6,913 gross tonnes and 19,356 kilowatts which has been taken out of Ireland’s catching fleet for good, leaving better opportunities for those fishermen remaining.</p><p pid="643.11">Of particular interest to the lobster fishermen of west Kerry is the progress on the proposed lobster management plan launched in April 2008 and subsequently sent out for public consultation and completed in July 2008.  The results of that process have been analysed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, and a report has been prepared.  This report has informed the debate and direction in which the process is developing.  The driver behind these proposals is the need to protect fishermen in specified areas from the possibility of an influx of fishing vessels by limiting the amount of capacity that can fish lobster in a geographical area.  If local fishermen choose to put their time, effort and money into conservation programmes in order to improve their fishery, they should be rewarded by having the security to do so in confidence.  I understand that Minister of State, Deputy Tony Killeen, will shortly consider revised proposals in this area.</p><p pid="643.12">We are, undoubtedly, facing a challenging time in fisheries as elsewhere in the economy.  The fishing sector is undergoing change, some of which is enforced by factors over which we do not have full control.  As I mentioned earlier, the introduction of conservation measures is necessary to rebuild fish stocks and deliver a long-term future for coastal communities.  However, the benefits of the initiatives I have just outlined will be felt in west Kerry as in other coastal communities and this upbeat assessment is based on a firmly held contention that with innovative thinking and a “can do” attitude we can collectively surmount all the challenges facing us and ultimately move the Irish seafood sector into a position of sustainability and strength for future generations.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T21:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.634.0&amp;m=801#g638.3">
	<title>Foreign Conflicts. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.634.0&amp;m=801#g638.3</link>
	<description>I appreciate the Deputy&acirc;��s insights. With regard to emergency assistance, since 2005 the Government has provided more than &acirc;�&not;5.3 million for humanitarian and development activities in Sri...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="638.2">I appreciate the Deputy’s insights.</p><p pid="638.3">With regard to emergency assistance, since 2005 the Government has provided more than €5.3 million for humanitarian and development activities in Sri Lanka.  More than $12 million was allocated to Sri Lanka in 2008 from the UN’s central emergency response fund, to which Ireland is currently the seventh largest donor.  The Red Cross, one of the key organisations at the centre of the response to the humanitarian crisis, also receives regular non-earmarked funding from Irish Aid.  In view of the perilous situation in the Vanni region, a decision was taken earlier this week to offer additional funding of €170,000 from the Irish Aid emergency humanitarian assistance fund to Médecins sans Frontières, which is currently providing support to the hospital in Vavuniya and which is treating large numbers of civilians affected by the conflict, both internally displaced persons and the host population.  In addition to the medical and nutritional needs identified, there is a heightened need for mental health care arising from the high levels of trauma manifested by civilians escaping the combat zone.  The Government will continue to monitor closely the humanitarian situation in northern Sri Lanka, and the possible provision of additional emergency funding is being kept under review.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.634.0&amp;m=801#g636.8">
	<title>Foreign Conflicts. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.634.0&amp;m=801#g636.8</link>
	<description>Gabhaim bu&Atilde;&shy;ochas leis an Teachta &Atilde;� hUig&Atilde;&shy;nn as ucht an cheist t&Atilde;&iexcl;bhachtach seo a ard&Atilde;&ordm;. My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Miche&Atilde;&iexcl;l Martin - who apologises for his absence -...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="636.3">Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Ó hUigínn as ucht an cheist tábhachtach seo a ardú.</p><p pid="636.4">My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin - who apologises for his absence - has repeatedly deplored the horrific humanitarian situation which exists in parts of war-torn northern Sri Lanka, including the Vanni region.  It is clear from reports that the situation in Vanni has become intolerable.  The most recent estimates from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN, covering the period from 26 March to 2 April, suggest that between 150,000 and 200,000 people are still trapped in the region.  Conditions for civilians have continued to deteriorate, with credible reports of an intensification of shelling in the Government-declared no-fire zone, resulting in an average of 60 to 70 deaths per day.</p><p pid="636.5">The combat zone has continued to shrink as Government forces have pressed forward with heavy artillery, air strikes and mortar exchanges.  The UN places the numbers of killed and wounded well into the thousands, as Deputy Higgins has said, with the vast majority of casualties occurring inside the densely-packed no-fire zone.  As the hold by Government forces on Vanni has tightened, more reports are emerging of pressure from the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam, LTTE, on the civilian population.  These include the forced recruitment of men and women and even of children as young as 12 years old; at least one mass execution of civilians; mass corporal punishment; retribution against civilians who try to prevent forced recruitment; the blocking of corridors for civilians trying to leave the combat area; the placing of weapons in areas of civilian concentration; and the diversion and possible withholding of humanitarian aid from civilians.</p><p pid="636.6">The Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Government have been following the situation in Sri Lanka with grave concern.  In a statement issued on 8 February and in reply to parliamentary questions on 10 and 12 February and 24 March, the Minister called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and full access for humanitarian relief.  European Union foreign ministers have also expressed their deep concern about the humanitarian crisis, including the vast number of internally displaced people trapped by the fighting, as well as the continuing reports of high civilian casualties.  In particular, they have stressed the need for both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to comply with the provisions of international humanitarian law and the principles of the laws of war and have called for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate full and unrestricted access to the conflict area, allowing humanitarian aid to be safely delivered and civilians to leave.</p><p pid="636.7">These points were made directly by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Sri Lankan Ambassador during a meeting in Dublin on 23 February last.  The Minister mentioned in particular our deep concerns about the humanitarian situation in the country - which is affecting not only Tamil civilians but the entire population - as well as the importance of addressing the underlying causes of the conflict through a comprehensive negotiated political settlement.  These concerns were repeated yesterday by our Ambassador in New Delhi, who is accredited to Sri Lanka, when he spoke to the Sri Lankan Ambassador there.</p><p pid="636.8">We continue to take the firm view that there can be no military solution to Sri Lanka’s political difficulties.  A lasting peace settlement will require reconciliation and a political process aimed at protecting the interests of all the citizens of Sri Lanka and enshrining the principle of parity of esteem among its divided communities.  Ireland would welcome further activity by the international community, particularly by the UN Security Council, to bring about a swift resolution to the conflict.  Should the relevant parties seek our advice with regard to a negotiated peace process, we would give consideration as to how we could best help.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.848.0&amp;m=801#g851.13">
	<title>REPS Payments. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.848.0&amp;m=801#g851.13</link>
	<description>Ar dt&Atilde;&ordm;s, ba mhaith liom bh&Atilde;&shy;ochas a gabh&Atilde;&iexcl;il leis an Teachta Calleary agus an Teachta Ring as an ceist tabhachtact seo a ard&Atilde;&ordm; ar son mhuintir Mhaigh Eo. REPS has been one of the most successful...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="851.3">Ar dtús, ba mhaith liom bhíochas a gabháil leis an Teachta Calleary agus an Teachta Ring as an ceist tabhachtact seo a ardú ar son mhuintir Mhaigh Eo.</p><p pid="851.4">REPS has been one of the most successful schemes operated by my Department since it was launched in 1994.  It has brought more than €2 billion in payments to Irish farmers.  Last year, farmers in REPS received over €313 million in payments.  The numbers in the scheme, including applicants for REPS 4 who are being processed at present, stand at over 60,000.</p><p pid="851.5">Farmers in Mayo have received more than €311 million in REPS since 1994, and their payments in 2008 came to €31.7 million.  I know a number of these farmers around Ballyhaunis, Ballinrobe, Achill, Westport, Erris and Caisleán an Bharraigh.  REPS has always been about much more than money, as Deputy Ring stated.  It has delivered benefits to the environment, water quality, biodiversity and the landscape.  Farmers have welcomed the opportunity it gave them to farm in a more environmentally sensitive way and to preserve habitats and landscape features that might otherwise have fallen victim to intensification.</p><p pid="851.6">In the past two years, since the nitrates derogation allowed us to open the scheme to the highly-stocked dairy sector, farmers who would not have considered REPS before are now showing interest and indeed in many cases have made their applications.  REPS is a complex scheme.  Currently, a participant in REPS must include all of his or her land in the scheme and must commit to 11 basic measures and at least two biodiversity options.  If Natura land is involved there may be other obligations.  This set of undertakings, negotiated with the European Commission, is the basis for payment.</p><p pid="851.7">In recent years, the European Commission and the Court of Auditors have taken an increasingly critical approach in their scrutiny of farm payment schemes, not just in Ireland but in other member states.  Agri-environment measures like REPS are being very closely audited since a negative report by the Court of Auditors in 2006, which found that huge amounts of EU money were being spent on schemes whose outcomes were difficult or even impossible to measure.</p><p pid="851.8">We had two audit visits on REPS last year; one by the Court of Auditors and one by the European Commission.  Both raised very serious questions about our procedures for examining applications for REPS.  It was evident that we had to make fundamental changes in the way we dealt with applications.  It became necessary, therefore, for the Department to scrutinise every REPS application and plan in the greatest detail.  We had to bring in an entirely new system last year for processing REPS 4 applications.  I am well aware that this has meant that farmers have had to wait much longer than expected for their first REPS 4 payments.  Indeed, I know that up to half of those who applied in 2008 are still waiting.  I would not suggest for one moment that this is a satisfactory situation.  It is one that we hope not to find ourselves in again.</p><p pid="851.9">There are a number of reasons why the processing of applications has taken so long.  The first thing we had to do was develop a computer system for screening plans that had been prepared on eREPS, the electronic planning system approved and funded by the Department.  There are no safe short cuts in developing computer systems and it took several months to get this one to an acceptable level.  Then the non-eREPS plans had to be screened manually, at a time when the staff who had to do this work were also heavily involved in the farm waste management scheme.  Finally, all the plans had to be cross-checked against the LPIS system and checked to confirm that they included the necessary biodiversity options.  These last two checks were computerised as well.  At that point, which we reached at the end of January, we were finally able to start making payments on plans about which none of the checks had raised queries.</p><p pid="851.10">However, fewer than 1,400 plans out of more than 12,000 came through that initial set of screening checks with no queries.  The remainder had to be checked manually.  Nearly 5,000 of these files have since been processed.  In most of those the queries have been fully resolved, though a number have had small reductions applied to the payments because of some deficiency in the plan.</p><p pid="851.11">Department staff are making every effort to get the remaining cases processed as soon as possible.  There are some plans that are actually ineligible and it is important for the farmers in these cases that a valid application is with the Department by 15 May.  Our staff are doing all they can to identify these problem cases but they cannot do everything.  The 2009 applications are already arriving in big numbers.  Last year, over 7,000 applications came in between 1 April and 15 May.  It is too much to expect that Department staff can identify every application with a problem in time for the planner to fix it by 15 May.  But nothing in any plan can be put right after that date.  That possibility simply does not exist under the regulations we now have to live with.  That is why every planner needs to be satisfied that every plan he or she prepares is fully in keeping with the terms and conditions of REPS and the obligations of cross-compliance.</p><p pid="851.12">There are particular factors operating in County Mayo which are making the processing of applications somewhat slower than in other counties.  There is a large amount of designated Natura land in the county and Natura land qualifies for a higher rate of payment in REPS.  Reconciling the Natura areas shown in many REPS plans with the Department’s land parcel identification system is not proving straightforward.  There is no reason to believe that payments to the farmers concerned will be reduced because of this issue, but to meet our audit requirements it has to be resolved in each case.  Department staff are in the process of informing farmers about the situation so that they can get their planners to make any necessary changes to the plans, and this will continue in the coming weeks.</p><p pid="851.13">I hope this will be recognised and that it will make a difference that my Department has assigned extra staff to the Mayo offices to help with the exercise.  Farmers have been very patient in waiting for their REPS payments this year, especially at a time when cash flow is critical to so many people.  I ask for their continued patience while the remaining applications are processed and I ask them to keep their faith in REPS.  While it must continue to evolve, to meet changing priorities and to reflect changing circumstances, I am confident that agri-environment will be an important part of EU rural development policy for years to come.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T21:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=801#g800.0">
	<title>Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=801#g800.0</link>
	<description>Give the unemployed some of Deputy Ring&acirc;��s jobs.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="800.1">Give the unemployed some of Deputy Ring’s jobs.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=801#g798.0">
	<title>Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=801#g798.0</link>
	<description>Deputy Ring has four jobs.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="798.1">Deputy Ring has four jobs.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=801#g795.0">
	<title>Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=801#g795.0</link>
	<description>It just shows Deputy Ring is hardly ever here.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="795.1">It just shows Deputy Ring is hardly ever here.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=801#g793.0">
	<title>Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=801#g793.0</link>
	<description>The Deputy was not here.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="793.1">The Deputy was not here.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=801#g791.0">
	<title>Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=801#g791.0</link>
	<description>The script in question was entirely my own, if the Deputy does not mind.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="791.1">The script in question was entirely my own, if the Deputy does not mind.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=801#g761.0">
	<title>Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=801#g761.0</link>
	<description>There is just one Minister of State from the Green Party.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="761.1">There is just one Minister of State from the Green Party.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=801#g759.0">
	<title>Oireachtas Reform: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.633.0&amp;m=801#g759.0</link>
	<description>I would love to.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="759.1">I would love to.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T20:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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