Results 4,641-4,660 of 5,311 for speaker:Tom Hayes

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Beef Industry (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: Why did the Deputy ask the question then? The reality is that live exports are taking place and the Government and Department will do everything they can to facilitate that and encourage the export of more cattle. This is why the Minister is constantly out of the country promoting live exports and Irish beef.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Beef Industry (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: In respect of grading, I accept that farmers are very concerned. I presume the Deputy was in Grange yesterday?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Beef Industry (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: Thousands of farmers assembled in Grange yesterday where the topic was discussed. Certainly, it is something that will come up at the round table discussions. This is why these discussions were put in place. I know the Minister is extremely concerned about this. We will get that on the agenda to see what can be done in the future. People, particularly producers, want to produce a better...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Beef Industry (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: As the Deputy is aware, my Department attaches considerable importance to the live export trade and over the years has been very active in facilitating shipments abroad. Live exports serve a dual purpose as a means of satisfying legitimate market demands for live animals and providing alternative market outlets for farmers. I do not accept that the trade in live exports to the UK and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Beef Industry (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: I assure the Deputy that the Minister's door has been open at all times for farming organisations to come in and discuss any issue that concerns them. The Deputy referred to the groups protesting last night. Across the road at 7.30 p.m., the Minister met a group of farmers who were picketing on Tuesday. He is always available. He consistently works long hours trying to help develop Irish...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Beef Industry (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: The bottom line is that it suits the Opposition to say the Minister is not doing a good job. One should consider the context of what he has achieved, including the price of milk and the fact that dairy products are doing really well right across Europe and elsewhere on the world stage. Beef prices have decreased. I saw at first hand only last week that cattle in the marts around my county...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: High-Nature-Value Farming (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: High nature value, HNV, farming is farming that supports the objective of having highly diverse species and habitats and maintains bio-diversity in the agricultural landscape. Under the rural development programme, RDP, currently being finalised by my Department, I am proposing to support HNV farming specifically and biodiversity in general through a number of measures. In the draft...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: High-Nature-Value Farming (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: The Deputy and the joint committee were briefed on it. The Deputy's points were well made and they were illustrated at the meeting last night. While no definite decision has been made, I will certainly take those points on board.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes Penalties (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: The issue of land eligibility is particularly crucial in the context of the various area-based schemes operated by my Department. The Deputy will be fully aware of the value of these EU-funded direct payment schemes to Ireland, with Irish farmers benefiting annually from funding of over €1.5 billion under schemes such as the single farm payment scheme, the disadvantaged areas scheme,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes Penalties (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: I need to continue to clarify because-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes Penalties (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: I need to continue because the question-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes Penalties (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: Those comments show why I wanted to finish my answer. I wish to state clearly that I regard the proposed disallowance as being wholly disproportionate to the level of actual risk to EU funds identified following recent audits. The Deputy should note that Ireland has the right, and fully intends to avail of it, to ask for the matter to be reviewed by the EU conciliation body. This body will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes Penalties (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: I want to clarify and assure the Deputy that we will fight tooth and nail. The Deputy need not be under any illusion about that. We will make sure that no stone is left unturned in trying to achieve the best result for Irish farmers. We should all unite in trying to do the best job for farmers rather than try to be divided. Nobody wants to see a country such as Ireland, which has done its...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: European Fisheries Fund (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: The EU regulation establishing the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund was published on 20 May 2014. Following months of intense lobbying and negotiation, the Minister announced on 12 June 2014 that he had secured €148 million from the new fund for the period 2014 to 2020 for the development of the Irish seafood industry and the coastal communities that depend on it. This funding is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: European Fisheries Fund (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: I will have further discussions on that issue. I would remind the Deputy that €8 million has already been spent on storm-damaged piers and harbours throughout the country. Obviously in the tight budgetary situation in which the country finds itself, finding money for the Deputy's specific proposals will be difficult. I cannot give the Deputy a definitive answer today but I will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: European Fisheries Fund (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: I am sure that if European funding is available, officials in the Department will seek it.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: European Fisheries Fund (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: I can reassure Deputy Pringle on that point. The Deputy made the case that money was made available to farmers last year. At that time, animals throughout the country were in a very serious state. Indeed, in particular areas, there was no hay available and animals were starving. Farmers were facilitated by the importation of fodder from England and parts of France and its distribution...

Other Questions: Milk Quality Assurance Scheme (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: In 2012, the Minister announced a proposal for a new national sustainability programme for the dairy sector. This programme is a key element of Ireland’s strategy for marketing and promotion of dairy products on international markets, particularly in the context of expanded milk output following the abolition of milk quotas in April 2015. It is evident from the engagement with...

Other Questions: Milk Quality Assurance Scheme (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: As I said already, 3,500 milk producers have applied for the scheme. Milk purchasers have sent 1,020 applications to Bord Bia for auditing. Of these, almost 400 have become fully certified members of the scheme, while the remaining 620 are moving through the audit or review process ahead of the final certification decision. Approximately 11,000 information packs have issued to milk...

Other Questions: Milk Quality Assurance Scheme (19 Jun 2014)

Tom Hayes: In general it is Government policy to employ graduates, if available, for positions such as these and training is provided on the operation of the scheme. I will certainly raise the matter with Bord Bia if it is the major problem the Deputy says it is, but, historically, the case in this country has been as set out. Deputy Ó Cuív was in the Department and will have known the position.