Results 14,521-14,540 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse Racing Ireland (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial State Body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. The question the Deputy has raised is solely an operational matter for HRI ,and I had no involvement in the matter. HRI have informed me that new media rights arrangements represent a positive move for Irish racing and provide guarantees...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: In 2018 my Department continued to open new markets and deepen trade within existing markets for Irish agri-food exporters, the highlight of which was probably the decision of the Chinese authorities to open their market to Irish beef imports by listing a number of approved Irish beef establishments. Other notable achievements were agreements with Qatar and Kuwait which allowed for the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Renewable Energy Generation (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: In line with Government policy my Department is committed to increasing the supply of biomass from Ireland’s forests in support of our renewable energy targets. In 2017 the roundwood harvest (including firewood) was 3.54 million cubic metres, the highest level since records began, 42% of which was used for energy purposes. Timber production is set to double to 8 million cubic...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I am aware of this report and my officials have reviewed the findings and the underlying assumptions and methodology. Different reports use different boundaries for life cycle analyses and hence differing results; life cycle analyses is a complex area of measurement and are useful in determining carbon footprints of animal systems but should not be considered static Rather, this form of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Consultancy Contracts Data (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: My Department’s schemes and services are supported by a wide range of complex interconnected IT systems, the maintenance and development of which is supported by external resources. It is understood that the Deputy’s question relates to this support. Three companies provided such support in 2018 and are continuing to do so today. The three companies were contracted through...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Supports (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: The agri-food sector is of critical importance to the Irish economy, and its regional spread means it underpins the socio-economic development of rural areas in particular. As such, Brexit has the potential to have a very significant impact on farmers and on the agri-food sector throughout Ireland. At this stage, Ireland has not formally notified the Commission that it is seeking...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: On 17th October 2018 my Department received a letter from the solicitor acting for the deceased in this case. This letter confirmed the date of death and quoted the herd number of the deceased. On foot of this correspondence my Department issued a letter to the solicitor on 26th October 2018. This letter set out details of the schemes in which the deceased had participated and advised on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Payments (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: An application under the 2018 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) was received from the person named on 2nd May 2018. As indicated, the named forestry parcels were not included in the application. They were later added by way of a BPS amendment form. A review of this case has been completed and the parcels have been added to the application. A supplementary payment will issue in the near future to the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta Governance (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: The management of the forest estate and operational matters such as certification are a matter for, and the responsibility of, Coillte as a commercial State Body. I have accordingly referred the Deputy’s question to Coillte and have requested that a response issue to directly to you.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: There are currently 201 approved land-based seafood processors in Ireland which are, in the main, located in and around our fishing ports. The scale of operation of the processors varies from micro enterprises to medium sized enterprises and large enterprises. A range of supports are available to seafood processors under my Department's €238 million European Maritime and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry Development (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Irish meat, dairy and food products have a highly rated and hard earned reputation in terms of quality, safety, animal welfare and sustainability all over the world. My officials continue to work towards opening and enhancing access to as many markets as possible. This is a key part of our response to the challenges and uncertainty posed by Brexit, and is in line with the market development...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: The agrifood sector is of critical importance to the Irish economy, and its regional spread means it underpins the socio-economic development of rural areas in particular. As such, Brexit has the potential to have a very significant impact on farmers and on the agrifood sector throughout Ireland, and the extent of this potential impact has been highlighted by studies carried out by agencies...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Climate Change Adaptation Plans (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: There is a continued focus in my Department on mitigation measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with minimum impact on agriculture production. The long-term policy vision for the agricultural sector is an approach to carbon neutrality which does not compromise the capacity for sustainable food production as referred to in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. In...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Deer farming in Ireland is an alternative enterprise which is dependent on the dynamics of supply and demand which affect all agricultural production systems. In 1996 there were approximately 500 deer farms with 20,000 deer in Ireland, but numbers have declined sharply since that time. Today there are only a small number of farmers in Ireland actively supplying deer for meat production,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: In 2017, Ireland exported dairy products, including dairy powders to 147 countries totalling over €4.6 billion worth of produce, an increase of over 17% compared to 2016, representing high-quality value-added produce. CSO estimates of dairy exports in the January-November 2018 period (latest available) show that they increased by 2.8% in volume compared to 2017. Irish dairy...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tillage Sector (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Tillage is an integral component of our Agrifood industry, making a significant contribution to overall agricultural output. Crops including horticulture, contribute approximately €700m annually to agricultural output at farm gate prices. The cereals sector is a major contributor of high quality grain to the feed industry, provides grain for the food and drinks industry and a key...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Artisan Food Sector (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Artisan and speciality food businesses can have a significant impact on local rural economies and their importance is acknowledged in the Food Wise 2025 strategy. Growth prospects for the sector are positive overall, driven by increased consumer interest in the provenance of food, environmental concerns, health and a desire to support the local economy. The Small Business food sector is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides the framework for the long term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks around our shores and is designed to ensure the long term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters. The CFP utilises the best scientific advice as a key determinant in setting annual fishing quotas. Key features of this policy include setting Total...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agricultural Production Costs (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: My Department continually monitors the cost of farm production inputs using data available from national and international sources. Official statistics on farm inputs are compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and these are available in various publications and on their website. My Department's Annual Review and Outlook collates a range of available farm data, including the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Safety Standards Regulation (6 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Food products placed on the marketplace are covered by a range of legislation designed to ensure that products supplied to consumers are of the highest safety standards. My Department plays a part in the enforcement of this legislation along with other Government departments and State Agencies such as the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the Health Service Executive. The FSAI is...