Results 10,561-10,580 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Priority Questions: Fisheries Offences (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: I would like to be associated with the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's good wishes to Deputy Pringle. I thank Deputy Connolly for taking this question. It is an important one at this time. The European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2016, SI 125 of 2016, establish a points system which will apply to the licenceholder of a sea-fishing boat when a serious infringement of...

Priority Questions: Fisheries Offences (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: In fact, the timeline is slightly worse than the Deputy outlined. The original obligation to move in this direction under EU regulations dates back as far as 2009. Therefore, the period is considerable. There are many reasons for that. I intend to proceed very shortly with the new statutory instrument. I am awaiting the final drafting procedures, and while I imagine we will be moving in...

Priority Questions: Fisheries Offences (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: I meet the producer organisations regularly. I met them most recently about a fortnight ago to discuss this matter. EMFF funding amounts to approximately €241 million. It has been made clear to us that this funding, although not suspended at this stage, is conditional. The control and data collection side are in the crosshairs of the Commission in the first instance. I am concerned...

Priority Questions: Fisheries Offences (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: My intention is to have the Attorney General provide me with a list of suitably qualified people to be appointed to the panel by me subsequently.

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: I thank the Deputy for her question. I recognise fully the potential difficulties farmers and citizens, including those in the Border counties, are likely to face in the event of a hard Brexit, given the highly integrated nature of agri-trade and commercial, social and cultural interaction on the island of Ireland. However, from the beginning of the Article 50 negotiations Government policy...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: I agree with the points articulated by the Deputy. There are many agribusinesses along the Border such as the aforementioned McCarren's, Lakeland Dairies, LacPatrick and Strathroy in the North. We have, effectively, an all-island agrifood economy. Some 50% of our beef exports and 30% of our dairy exports are to the United Kingdom. A significant challenge is presented in that regard,...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: That is the reason the Border and such Irish issues were placed front and centre in the negotiations and there has to be sufficient progress made on them before we move on to deal with the future trading relationship. We can understandably concentrate on the economic impact, but as a Border resident, the Deputy is aware that the political aspect is also very important, as is the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: The Deputy's question is predicated on emissions rising year on year and that is simply not the case. Between 1990 and 2015 greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector reduced by 5.5%. It is important that the facts are correct. Approximately 80% of all stored cattle manure in Ireland is produced as slurry, the remaining portion being a solid fraction or farmyard manure. For...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: Deputy Wallace has guaranteed himself a headline, but I do not believe it is based on any kind of fact. It is extraordinary of him to say our dairy and beef is the most climate-destructive form of food production. We are having a dialogue of the deaf. In terms of the carbon footprint per kilo of output our dairy industry is the most efficient in the world and our beef is the fifth most...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: Deputy Wallace is taking cheap pot shots.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: We are funding a good deal of research in this area. Our research partners, including Teagasc, are liaising with third level institutes and private industry. We are looking at international developments. Deputy Wallace referenced seafood. We have watched so many false dawns and apparent silver bullets. We do not believe there is a silver bullet but we are certainly tracking research....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: If we were to do that, what would happen?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: Beef producers with carbon footprints many multiples of ours would steamboat here from South America and displace our produce. Deputy Wallace would stand idly by and applaud as our beef farmers go out of business.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: Deputy Wallace said that our dairy and beef were the most destructive forms of food production.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): GLAS Payments (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: My Department aims to pay as many farmers as possible their 2017 advance payment. The Department is dependent on all applicants providing the necessary material to qualify for payment. All GLAS applications must pass regulatory controls and validations, as is the case with all European Union co-funded schemes. Each application must pass the necessary checks, including the commonage...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): GLAS Payments (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: Commonage advisers were appointed to most commonages in 2015, which left them with sufficient time to do preparatory work such as walking and assessing commonages. The uploading of the common management plan is far and away not the most onerous aspect of the process. On the contrary, it is the final action required in the process and there has been more than ample time to update all the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): GLAS Payments (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: There is no deadline. The plans are still being received.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): GLAS Payments (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: My understanding, subject to verification, is that when a planner engages with the online system, he or she will leave a thumbprint or some form of marker on the system, even in cases where the plan has not been fully uploaded. The system has been engaged in respect of more than 2,000 of the 3,700 commonage management plans required. It is possible that we will receive the overwhelming...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): GLAS Payments (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: To be fair, that was not an issue and the facility is now available. There is no evidence to suggest planners were knocking down the Department's doors to submit plans. It does not take long to upload a commonage management plan.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Horseracing Industry (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: In this momentous week for the Irish racing industry, with Irish horses securing first, second and third places in the Melbourne Cup, I am sure the Deputy will join me in recognising this achievement, which is a significant acknowledgement of Irish global leadership in equine matters. Horse Racing Ireland, HRI, is a commercial State body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing...