Results 7,541-7,560 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: Where will he find the funding he seeks? If it is to come from the rural development programme, will it be taken from the disadvantaged areas scheme, the sheep scheme we are introducing or GLAS? He cannot have his cake and eat it.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aquaculture Licence Applications (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: All applications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 and, in the case of marine aquaculture, the Foreshore Act 1933. The assessment process takes full account of all national and EU legislative requirements and reflects the full scientific, environmental, legal, public policy and engineering aspects...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aquaculture Licence Applications (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: If I had acted against the advice of the Marine Institute, my officials and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Deputy Ryan would be the first to criticise me, and perhaps rightly so. In this instance, as is provided for in the process of assessment of applications, the advice was taken on board. The experts made their recommendations and I abided by them. I have no doubt that had I done otherwise the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aquaculture Licence Applications (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: It would not be appropriate for me to comment in a way that would be seen to prejudice or influence the independent appeals board and I do not propose to do so. It is not the case that the advices that come to never recommend and EIS. The Deputy is aware of what happened in this instance.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aquaculture Licence Applications (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: In this case, the expertise was availed of and the advertisement process was complied with. Outside of the context of this specific application - as I said, I do not think it is appropriate to draw me into making a judgment on a matter that is before the independent appeals board - I have established a committee to examine the overall issue of licensing. It has carte blancheto examine all...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: The green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, and the previous agri-environment scheme, the agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, provide valuable support to farmers to deliver environmental benefits and public goods which will enhance Ireland's agricultural sustainability credentials into the future. They provide support to Irish farmers aimed at enhancement of biodiversity, water...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: I assure the Deputy that my departmental officials, administrative and IT, are working flat out to resolve this issue. I am not pointing the finger at anybody. When my Department hit the "pay" button in respect of GLAS, some applications did not get through the system. In terms of what needs to happen now, all of the outstanding applications will have to be scrutinised. The problems...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: For the record of the House, the number of applicants awaiting AEOS payments is not 4,000; it is 2,600. I fully accept the concern of anybody awaiting payment. In many respects, when one is explaining one is losing. I must be fair to the staff in the Department. We must be fair to everybody, including staff and farmers. Farmers are owed their money. We are contractually bound to pay...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Fish Quotas (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: The north-east Atlantic mackerel scientific assessment by ICES includes information from a number of sources, including catch data, tagging data and three survey indices. During preparations by ICES for the upcoming benchmark, an error was discovered in the calculation of the northern trawl survey index for 2016 that resulted in values being overestimated. Thus, the assessment conducted...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Fish Quotas (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: Notwithstanding the mistaken advice, the revised advice still provides for an increase in the quota. Separately, I received a submission from a producer organisation, PO, in respect of a review of the sharing of mackerel quota, in particular the proposed increase for 2017. On foot of that proposal and correspondence, of which I received from much, I decided to put the proposal into...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Fish Quotas (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: The initiative on this matter rests firmly with the Commission.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Fish Quotas (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: We have no clear indication as to what it might do. It might seek to revise the TAC and quota arrangements for 2017 or leave it until the next coastal states negotiations in September-October. I acknowledge the Deputy's points about the pelagic sector. I have an open mind, and so I should, about the consultation process that is under way. I am not predisposed towards any outcome. I...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: Article 32 of EU Regulation 1305/2013 requires all member states to implement a new system for designating eligible areas under the ANC scheme from 2018 at the latest. Currently, eligible land under the scheme is designated by reference to criteria such as stocking density, family farm income, population density and the percentage of the working population engaged in agriculture. Under the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: I can give a statement of my ambition, but there are clearly defined European Commission criteria that officials in my Department are obliged to apply in respect of lands across the country. Of course it is my ambition that what we have, we hold. There will be a consultation process and engagement with stakeholders. We hope we will be in a position to ensure that everybody who has a payment...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: That is my ambition.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: I had a similar debate with Deputy McConalogue earlier. As I said, my ambition is to try to ensure that every farmer who has a payment retains it, whether that is in County Meath, County Donegal, County Cork, County Tipperary, County Kilkenny, County Wicklow or anywhere else. It is a critical part of agricultural income and household budgeting in respect of the farmers concerned and for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Appointments to State Boards (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: I appreciate the image Deputy Daly wishes to portray but I assure her it is far from the reality. The Irish National Stud is a commercial State body. The appointment of a chief executive officer is a matter for the board of the Irish National Stud, subject to the consent of the relevant Ministers. I understand a recruitment competition is currently under way. The Deputy will be aware...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Appointments to State Boards (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: I thank Deputy Heydon for his comments. He addressed far more eloquently than I the track record of the outgoing CEO. It is insightful to look at the state of the National Stud when the CEO was appointed and its current financial state. Actions speak louder than words and his actions have been a tribute to the industry, which he leaves in a far better state than he found it. I acknowledge...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Appointments to State Boards (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: I am prepared to consider that. I have yet to receive a formal request from the National Stud in respect of that matter. If such a request comes before the Department, it will be considered on its merits.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Horse Racing Ireland (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: Horse Racing Ireland, HRI, is a commercial State body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. I can confirm that the recent appointments to the HRI board were made in accordance with the guidelines on appointments to State boards. They were advertised on and the...