Results 13,381-13,400 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: When we seek more funds from the Common Agricultural Policy, it should not be misinterpreted as us with the bowl out looking for more from Europe. We pay in more to the European Union than we get out in net terms. We are a net contributor to the European Union budget. The Common Agricultural Policy is of such importance not just to farmers or the rural community but to the citizens of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Schemes (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: In his budget speech, my colleague, the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, formally announced progress in the development of a key Government Brexit response, the future growth loan scheme for small and medium enterprise, including the primary agriculture and seafood sectors. This is a long-awaited source of finance for young and new entrant...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Schemes (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: When the State is putting in money, the challenge is whether it is getting value for that money. The report published with the budget on the €150 million low-interest loan working capital scheme clearly showed that it was value for money but that it had also delivered in terms of generating other competition in the finance sector for working capital. This raises the question of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Schemes (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: I must disagree with the Deputy. The tax measures in the budget will benefit farmers with income difficulties caused by volatility because the income averaging arrangement has been further tweaked to allow those farmers with an off-farm income or whose spouses have an off-farm income to be able to avail of the opt out. This will benefit a substantial cohort of farmers who are currently...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Control of Horses (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: Officials from my Department recently met with members of the local authority control of horses working group to discuss this matter. There is a general consensus that the current approach continues to reduce problems regarding wandering horses despite the persistence of a small number of irresponsible horse owners. Overall, the Control of Horses Act 1996, which provides powers to local...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Control of Horses (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: I appreciate the Deputy's consistent interest in this area and the collaborative efforts made by my Department, local authorities and charitable bodies. The graph is going in the right direction. That being said, we are all shamed by such incidents, which get a lot of traction, particularly on social media. Sometimes they distort the endeavour that is under way and the very good work being...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Control of Horses (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: As I said, we had recent consultation with local authorities but it is not for us to tell local authorities to recruit wardens. Under the Control of Horses Act, it is something they may do themselves. I appreciate, as a former member of a local authority, there are many competing demands on their resources. Some have wardens but many have not, and it is not something about which we can...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Trade Missions Data (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: I am firmly committed to increasing market access and opportunities for all Irish agrifood exports around the world. Total agrifood exports amounted to €13.6 billion in 2017, according to the Central Statistics Office trade statistics, an increase of 74% since 2009. My officials continue to work towards opening and enhancing access to as many markets as possible. This is a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Trade Missions Data (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: The UK was the market for almost 40% of our exports in 2017, which is the most recent statistic available, amounting to more than €5 billion worth of products. It should always be our most important market. Much of our efforts since the UK Brexit vote has concerned intensifying our engagement with the UK market and sending a clear signal that we want the closest possible trading...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Sheepmeat Sector (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: I am conscious of the important role that the sheep sector plays in the continued growth and development of our agrifood sector.  For example, in 2017 some 63,000 tonnes of sheep meat worth €311 million was exported, with diversification evident from our traditional primary markets of France and the UK.  With this in mind, I have ensured that my Department has put in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Sheepmeat Sector (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: Deputy McLoughlin will be aware that last year we introduced an additional payment of €25 million under the ANC scheme, probably better known as the disadvantaged area scheme. In delivering that payment, we decided to target it at a rate of €13 million for the most severely handicapped which is the hill and mountain land to which the Deputy referred, €9 million for the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Sheepmeat Sector (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: Although it is often not acknowledged, I represent a constituency that has significant amounts of such land, from the west Muskerry area, in particular, the hills of Cúil Aodha, Ballyvourney and Ballingeary. I am aware of that hill sheep farmer component, the value of the products that they produce, and as I said, the public goods. That is why the ANC payments are recognised by me as a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Beef Industry (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: As I indicated earlier, in accordance with competition law, neither I nor my Department has any role in determining market prices for any commodity, nor can I intervene in this process. I am conscious that this has been a difficult year for the sector in terms of weather and the range of challenges associated with it. We have to acknowledge that input costs at farm level will be unexpectedly...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Beef Industry (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: I share the same ambition as Deputy Scanlon. I appreciate that the Deputy comes from a constituency where the suckler beef sector is a strong component of delivering high quality weanling cattle, perhaps to the plains of Kildare and Meath, for further onward fattening. It is a critical part of that rural economy. Both of us share that ambition that they would have a return for that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Sheepmeat Sector (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: I am very conscious of the important role the sheep sector plays in regard to the continued growth and development of our agrifood sector. With this in mind, I have ensured that my Department has put in place a range of supports for the sheep sector in recent years across a number of schemes. With regard to Pillar 1 supports under the Common Agricultural Policy, sheep farmers continue to...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: That is more than can be said for Sinn Féin.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: I appreciate the Deputy's interest in the aquaculture sector. We conducted a review of the aquaculture licensing regime and I understand that a date was agreed with the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the process. I can confirm that we are on track to eliminate the arrears of processing of aquaculture licences. There was a two-year timescale in which to...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: It is a demand-led scheme, open for applications on an annual basis. Anyone who applies gets a payment of €10 per ewe on the basis of actions they commit to, whether for hill farmers or lowland sheep productions. There is a menu of options specifically designed and tailored for either commodity area. On generational renewal, the Deputy will appreciate that as well as increasing...

Resignation of Minister: Statements (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: The Deputy only takes notice of the outcomes of some of them.

Resignation of Minister: Statements (11 Oct 2018)

Michael Creed: What about Nóirín O'Sullivan?