Results 14,601-14,620 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Protection (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Under the Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, non-EU vessels are precluded from fishing in the waters around Ireland up to the 200-mile limit, other than under an EU agreement. For example, limited access is provided for Norwegian and Faroese fishing vessels under reciprocal access agreements. The Russian and Icelandic vessels referred to by the Deputy...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Protection (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: For the Deputy's information, the regulation and policing of this area is determined under the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. It is interesting to note in the context of that legislation that I am specifically mentioned and prohibited from any involvement in the day-to-day management, supervision and operation of the enforcement regime, which is only right and proper....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Protection (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: -----but his information is at variance with the facts as conveyed to me by officials in my Department. We are adamant that our fishing resource is adequately policed and monitored to maintain sustainability, and to ensure that our waters are not over-fished and that people fish only in accordance with the quotas that are allocated to them on an annual basis. There is some access for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Afforestation Programme (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: The current Forestry Programme (2014-2020) commenced in 2015 and offers an ambitious and attractive set of forestry measures aimed at increasing timber production and continuing to provide up to 12,000 jobs in the forestry sector while at the same time improving the quality of the natural environment. The afforestation scheme offers a fixed grant towards the costs, subject to the maximum laid...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Consultancy Contracts Data (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that during 2018, my Department commissioned Deloitte to complete one feasibility study at a cost of €25,805 and Ernst & Young to complete the annual account for the EU Paying Agency, which is a requirement of EU law, at a cost of €516,000, of which €257,633 was paid in 2018. My...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Supports (13 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. Brexit depending on the outcome has the potential to have a very significant impact on farmers and on the agri-food sector. There are on-going discussions with the Commission regarding the difficulties facing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Live exports are a critical part of the infrastructure of our livestock industry. They play a significant role in stimulating price competition and provide an alternative market outlet for farmers. My Department facilitates this trade, recognising its critical importance to the agri sector, while ensuring that live animal exports meet the highest welfare standards. In 2017, I reduced the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: From an Irish perspective, we have been very consistent in urging caution in the EU's approach to the Mercosur negotiations, which present a very particular threat to the Irish and European beef sectors in particular. Our position has been reiterated many times, for example by myself and by my colleague, Minister Andrew Doyle, at Council of Agriculture Ministers meetings, and by other...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data and Genomics Programme (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together. The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is currently the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which provides Irish beef farmers with some €300 million in funding over the current Rural Development Programme (RDP) period. This scheme is an agri-environmental measure to improve the environmental...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 to 161, inclusive, together. Information on the national carcass weight and conformation scores for beef is available here: . The 2018 report is due to be published in the coming days and hard copies of the relevant reports from 2008 - 2018 will be sent to the Deputy's office when the 2018 data are available. Statistics on calving interval and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Disease Controls (14 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Equine influenza is endemic in both Europe and North America, with outbreaks occurring on an almost annual basis. The virus rarely causes fatalities. Similar to human influenza, vaccines are available. However, if sufficient numbers of horses are infected, equestrian events may have to be cancelled in order to control the spread of the disease. The recent equine influenza outbreak in the UK...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare Bodies (14 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Animal rescues that rehome companion animals outside of Ireland are currently registered by my Department, as required by Council Directive 92/65/EEC (the Balai Directive). Further, all premises on which farmed animals are kept are subject to registration. Under the new EU Animal Health Law (EU Regulation ), animal rescue organisations will be among the establishments keeping terrestrial...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare Bodies (14 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: The provision of pounds is a matter for each local authority; neither I nor my Department have any function in this regard. My Department works closely with local authorities to ensure that optimum animal welfare standards are maintained. Should the Deputy have any concerns regarding a particular establishment, it is recommended that contact be made with my Department’s Animal...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare Bodies (14 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: There have been no such allegations made to my Department. However, if the Deputy is aware of any specific issues that require follow up action, details should be passed immediately to my own Department, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Charities Regulator and An Garda Síochána in order that matters raised can be fully investigated.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Consultancy Contracts Expenditure (14 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not engaged the consultancy or audit services of the company in question from 2015 to date.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (14 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 201 together. A Quality Payment System (QPS) for the payment of bonuses in respect of certain categories of cattle at slaughter plants was introduced in 2009 by agreement between Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA). My understanding is that the conditions attached to qualification for this bonus payment include a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hazardous Waste Removal (14 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: My Department assumed responsibility for remediation works at Haulbowline Island on behalf of the Irish Government in 2012 with a particular focus on bringing about compliance with the terms of a CJEU judgment (Case C-494/01) under the Waste Framework Directive concerning the East Tip site. Funding for the remediation project is currently provided to my Department, in accordance with the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Laboratory Facilities (14 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: My Department commissioned a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of options that were proposed by a Working Group in 2016 for the future development of the Regional Veterinary Laboratories (RVLs). The team conducting the CBA included internationally-recognised, independent experts in economic analysis and animal disease surveillance. My Department has been presented with the CBA report and senior...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (14 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 200 together. Price volatility has been a significant issue for the pig sector in the last 18 months, highlighting the cyclical nature of prices in the sector. Current prices stand at €137.19/100kg, which is 0.8% below prices at the same time in 2018. The continuing uncertainty regarding Brexit lends an even greater urgency to the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Inshore Fisheries (14 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: The ‘Strategy for the Inshore Fisheries Sector 2019-2023’ has been finalised following an extensive development process involving the National and Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums. I was very pleased to receive a presentation on the Strategy from the Chair of the National Inshore Fisheries Forum at our meeting on 30 January. The Strategy is the first industry-led blueprint...