Results 10,461-10,480 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: I was deeply disappointed that the Commission decided to offer a significant tariff rate quota for beef of 70,000 tonnes during the last round of negotiations. I believe that this could not be coming at a worse time for the EU beef sector. I and my officials have been very active in highlighting the potentially very damaging impact of a Mercosur deal on the European agriculture sector,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: EU Meetings (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: In the early part of 2017 I engaged extensively with many of my counterparts in other Member States in an effort to sensitise them to the potential impact of an unfavourable Brexit agreement or no agreement, not only on Ireland but on the EU agri food sector generally. More recently at the Agri-Fish Council meeting in Luxembourg last month, I raised the issue of the impact of Brexit on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harness Racing Industry (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: The Indecon Review of the Irish Harness Racing Sector was published on Wednesday 1st November, 2017. This report will provide the sport with a road map for its potential development and I will be supporting the recommendations within my Department’s remit from the outset. The report can be accessed on my Department's website at:...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Afforestation Programme (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: Some changes in my Departments afforestation scheme are being considered as part of the Mid-Term Review of the Forestry Programme 2014 -2020. My Department is involved in detailed discussions with stakeholders on it, including on the issues raised by the Deputy. Obviously any proposals must have regard to the available budget and the liability accruing to the State in future years. I...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Payments (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: The persons named were approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and have received all payments in respect of 2015 and the 2016 advance payment. A Farm Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) must be submitted on behalf of each GLAS 1 and 2 participant to the dedicated online system before the 15% balancing payment or any future GLAS payment can issue. As this...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Transfer of Entitlements (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: As outlined to the Deputy in my response to Parliamentary Question number 581 in July, this is a complex case involving a number of interested parties. The case has been prioritised by my Department and a number of legal issues are being progressed with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office who have been in correspondence with the solicitors for the persons referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Afforestation Programme (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: A number of changes in my Department's forestry schemes are being considered as part of the Mid-Term Review of the Forestry Programme 2014 -2020. My Department is involved in detailed discussions with stakeholders on it, including on the issues raised by the Deputy. Obviously any proposals must have regard to the available budget, value for money and the liability accruing to the State in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Afforestation Programme (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: Based on 2016 planting levels, the additional cost to the exchequer of implementing the proposed farmer premium differential rate increases would be in the region of €16 million. This includes the liability for all 15 annual premiums.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Afforestation Programme (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: If the total forest area of an application does not increase as a result of the higher ABE threshold proposed, the additional cost to the Exchequer would be zero as the same area would be eligible for grant and premiums. However in this scenario the difference would be that the area eligible for payment would have fewer trees planted and thus would not be consistent with the aims of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Sizes (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: Under EU regulations, Ireland has taken up the option to implement a minimum payment threshold of €100 under which payment via a direct payment scheme will not issue. However, notwithstanding the above, certain schemes may also include an area threshold, depending on the objectives of various schemes and the terms and conditions of those schemes. For example, under the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Fisheries Policy (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: The European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 125 of 2016) establishes a point system, which will apply to the Licence Holder of a sea-fishing boat when a serious infringement of the Common Fisheries Policy is detected. It is intended that the new Statutory instrument which I intend to sign shortly will amend S.I. No. 125 of 2016 to change the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grocery Industry Data (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: Bord na gCon is a commercial State body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Accordingly, the Deputy's question has been forwarded to Bord na gCon for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Quotas (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: As the Deputy may be aware, in Ireland quotas are a public resource and are managed by the Minister. I decide on the management of fish quotas following consultation with industry representatives.  Quotas (including Nephrops) are generally managed on a monthly basis.  Consultation is carried out each month at the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC) meeting...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Appeals (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: The Agriculture Appeals Office has confirmed that a decision letter issued on 27 October 2017 regarding the review of the case of the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Stocking Densities (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: Under the 2017 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme, eligible applicants are required to meet a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per hectare for a retention period of seven consecutive months and to maintain an annual average of 0.15 livestock units per hectare calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year.  This requirement was introduced as one of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data and Genomics Programme (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: Payments under BDGP and BDGP II are based on the full completion of specified actions over the course of six years which were designed to improve the genetic merit of a beef farmer’s herd. Section 13 of the scheme’s Terms and Conditions states that ‘Where a contract is terminated by an applicant all monies paid under the Programme shall be repaid to the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: I am aware of and concerned about the damaging effects caused by storm Ophelia on many sectors, including agriculture and horticulture. I am very conscious of the challenges facing the horticulture industry and my Department, along with the various state agencies; Bord Bia, Teagasc and Enterprise Ireland, are working closely to support the industry through a number of measures. In 2016,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Websites (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: My Department does not have any company engaged in conducting an audit of the Department's website and as such there are no costs or associated deadlines to report.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sea Lice Controls (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 893 to 896, inclusive, together. The control of sea lice is managed by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State.  These protocols are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons: - The inspection regime is totally independent of the industry. - Data obtained as a result of inspection is published and made widely...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: TAMS Administration (7 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: The TAMS II buildings specifications are set to ensure that the buildings are structurally sound and capable of being used for a minimum period of 20 years without requiring any significant repair works.  The specifications also ensure that the buildings are safe to construct, maintain and operate over the lifetime of the buildings, while ensuring that good animal welfare can be...