Results 81-100 of 7,247 for speaker:Michael Fitzmaurice

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I know the Minister does not intend to privatise Irish Water in this Government’s term. However, down through the years Governments have made mistakes. Who knows what a Government could do 20 years from now? No Government can bind its successors. While a plebiscite might be a step in the right direction, it will not stand up if scrutinised properly and a new Government decides to...

Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Special Protection Areas Designation (17 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Did the Minister of State hear what the Deputy said? In 2010, the Government stopped payments. Anybody could be on REPS, whether or not they are dedicated.

Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Special Protection Areas Designation (17 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: It is scandalous. Families are being driven out of rural Ireland.

Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Special Protection Areas Designation (17 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: They are not getting priority. Farmers can spread slurry with a trailing shoe and get the same priority.

Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Special Protection Areas Designation (17 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: What is being said here is scandalous.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (17 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 88. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will appoint a regulator to oversee and control the virtual monopoly position that meat factories currently have here; if he will ensure that Irish livestock farmers receive a fair price for the excellent product they produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48635/14]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (17 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 89. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is actively seeking to develop new markets outside of the EU for Ireland's dairy exports on behalf of dairy farmers who are facing the prospect of a very challenging year ahead; if he will list the actions he has taken in this regard; the new markets he is targeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48636/14]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Scheme Applications (17 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 95. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the cost neutral proposals presented to him by the organic farmers representative body to front-load payments towards the first ten hectares, thereby securing the future viability of small-scale organic farming here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48654/14]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sugar Industry (17 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 100. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide significant funding to assist the revival of Ireland's sugar beet industry in 2015; his 2015 plan for the restarting of what has previously been a very important Industry here; the actions he has already taken to facilitate the return of sugar production to Ireland in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (17 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 101. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the rules governing the vaccination and transportation of pet puppies to the UK are to be changed on 1 January 2015, in view of the fact that both islands are rabies free; the reason it will be necessary to wait until a pup is 12 weeks old for rabies vaccination and then wait a further 21 days before transportation to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 3. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if tier 3 farmers are eligible to apply for the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme; if the funding is in place to facilitate these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48481/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Many farmers around the country who do not fall into the priority 1 and priority 2 categories under the new green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme, GLAS, are very anxious. Many of these farmers were in REPS. They have small farms of 30, 40, 50 or 60 acres. Currently, they are very concerned that they are not in a position to go into the first or second priority categories. Are tier 3...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: They must fit into a category.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: As with the single farm payment, the Minister is facilitating people with designations in the first priority category, which I understand. The second tier includes intensive and arable farmers. If we do not ensure the smaller farmer with up to 70 or 80 acres is included in tier 2, they will be pushed out. Some of these farmers came out pretty badly from the single farm payment system....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I am not saying the Minister is discriminating against anyone. If we consider the conditions set down, there is a stipulation for farms to have a whole farm stocking rate exceeding 140 kg livestock manure nitrogen per hectare-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: -----or be an arable farmer. If a farmer has 40, 50 or 60 acres but does not fit the criteria - it may be bad land - is there a facility to enter the scheme? I do not think such farmers can get into it.

Other Questions: Land Parcel Identification System (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 6. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the digitisation of all maps will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48389/14]

Other Questions: Land Parcel Identification System (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Over the past few weeks, it has come to my attention that there are many farmers who have not received their direct aid scheme payments. There seems to be a problem with the digitisation of the maps. Could the Minister inform us when this will be finished and how soon the farmers will be able to get their money? If the digitisation is not done, they obviously cannot get their money.

Other Questions: Land Parcel Identification System (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: My understanding from a company in Dundalk which was digitising the maps and from farmers who have been checking it, is that they were told there was a delay whereas the Minister is saying there is not a delay. It is good to know that there is not a delay on the digitising of the maps. Obviously, what the Minister is saying is that other problems are holding up payment.

Other Questions: Land Parcel Identification System (18 Dec 2014)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I know that takes time. What I am dealing with specifically is the maps. My understanding is that when farmers telephoned asking about their payments they were told the maps were gone for digitisation and were not back and there appeared to be a delay.