Results 2,021-2,040 of 5,615 for speaker:Andrew Doyle

Written Answers — Department of Health: Air Ambulance Service Provision (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: 667. To ask the Minister for Health the regulations surrounding the use of helipads for delivering patients to hospitals throughout the country; the hospitals that have helicopter pads for landings; if each helipad is licensed for use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24243/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with Fresh Milk Producers (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: I welcome the Fresh Milk Producers group. The committee has had a series of meetings with different stakeholders to discuss the issues regarding the proposed code of conduct for the grocery goods sector, pricing and the impact on primary and secondary suppliers, support for local produce, and labelling. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with Fresh Milk Producers (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: I thank Senator O'Brien. Somebody's mobile telephone is on. It is interfering with the broadcasting of proceedings.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with Fresh Milk Producers (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: Thank you Senator O'Neill. I am conscious of the fact that another group is coming in. This is an important matter and a couple of key fundamental points have been made, particularly in respect of the negotiating power of the milk producers. Even with a return to 43% of the retail price, they would be on only about break-even cost. It appears to me from the evidence that has come before...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with Fresh Milk Producers (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: There are some questions on imports.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with Fresh Milk Producers (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: You might explain what happened in England, Mr. Arthur.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with Fresh Milk Producers (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: The only country with which we can compare what is happening is New Zealand which has a small population and exports 90% of its dairy products. I know from personal experience that its former town suppliers, as they were called, became the major co-operative, Fonterra. How did they ensure their liquid milk would continue to be available domestically because it is a very competitive business?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with Fresh Milk Producers (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: We will move on to supplementary questions shortly. The Senator can flag the question now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with Fresh Milk Producers (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: Once you do not identify individuals.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with Fresh Milk Producers (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: I do not want to intervene too often. What the witness has said is the nub of the problem. Given the EU regulation being cited and the response from certain agencies to us, one could conclude that part of the problem and, therefore, the solution lies in that point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with Fresh Milk Producers (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: I did not.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with Fresh Milk Producers (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: I want to conclude this session in 5 minutes. I will allow Mr. Dolan and Mr. Arthur to speak.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with Fresh Milk Producers (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: On that point, Commissioner Cioloş has mentioned equity in the food market chain, as did the previous Commissioner. It is on the agenda at an EU level from the point of view of return to farmers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with Fresh Milk Producers (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: Is it stable or unstable?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with Fresh Milk Producers (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: I do not mean to rush this part of the meeting, but I have a duty, as Chairman, to allow in another group which is waiting patiently to make a contribution. In these hearings we are dealing with four issues. The other three are pricing and the impact on primary and secondary suppliers; support for local producers; and labelling. These issues are very pertinent to the individuals whom the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with National Milk Agency (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: I welcome the representatives of the National Milk Agency, Dr. Muiris Ó Céidigh, Mr. Denis Murphy, Mr. Eamonn McEnteggart, Mr. George Kearns and Mr. Michael Kilcoyne. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. If a witness is directed by it to cease giving...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with National Milk Agency (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: I thank Mr. Murphy and his colleagues for addressing the wider issue and then the four specific points. The presentation was comprehensive and is most relevant following on from the others we have received.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with National Milk Agency (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: I think it is different with beef.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with National Milk Agency (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: The point has been made continuously by retail representatives that the code of conduct is an unnecessary additional bureaucratic measure that will add to costs. It seems to be one of the main reasons we would not want to bring it in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed) with National Milk Agency (21 May 2013)

Andrew Doyle: Is it a valid argument that bringing in a statutory code and all that such a code entails would add additional cost, either to be paid for by the consumer or costed down to those further back along the chain?