Results 14,661-14,680 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Contracts Data (19 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I wish to advise the Deputy that no contracts with a value in excess of €10 million within my Department have come in more than 10% over budget from 2016 to date. I have been made aware of a projected cost increase on a capital project under the aegis of Horse Racing Ireland. This project is partially funded from private sector contributions and I am assured that it will not result...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Maintenance (19 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Howth Fishery Harbour Centre (FHC) is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute. Siltation in Howth Harbour has been recognised as an issue for some time, and the requirement for a dredging project to restore adequate depth in the entrance channel and within the harbour is accepted. The Harbour was last...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (19 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Ireland remains firmly of the view that the best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal and protect the Good Friday Agreement is to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement as agreed between the EU and the British Government. However we will continue our preparations for all outcomes, including for a no deal scenario. While we do not want this to happen, we are doing all we can to be prepared...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Public Procurement Contracts Data (19 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Procurement in my Department is governed by EU rules and regulations as well as guidance from the Departments of Finance and of Public Expenditure & Reform. The type of competitive process to be followed can vary depending on the size and characteristics of the contract to be awarded but the objective is always to achieve the best outcome for the taxpayer. All evaluations of tenders...

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (20 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I thank the House and all of the previous speakers for the very kind tributes they have paid to my late father. My father was quintessentially a quiet and shy man and I am sure he listened with great interest to all of the contributions and pinched himself on more than one occasion, on hearing the tributes that have been paid to him. My father was hugely conscious of the honour that was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (20 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: The export of calves is an entirely commercial matter. The function of my department is regulatory in nature, for example through the provision of appropriate animal health certification, or the approval of vessels for the transport of animals to ensure that they comply with animal health and welfare requirements. Bovines exported from Ireland to France are required under EU law to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bovine Disease Controls (20 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: As part of our TB eradication programme, beef finishing herds, if they meet the necessary criteria, are allowed to avail of a special status, termed “Feedlot”. When a herd meets the criteria to be regarded as a ‘Feedlot’ under the TB Eradication Programme, the herd is restricted under the TB Regulations and a special official supervisory and testing protocol is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bovine Disease Controls (20 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Under the General Data Protection Regulation I am precluded from releasing this information.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Irish Language (20 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: The 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language outlines an integrated approach to the Irish language. It identifies nine areas of action: education; the Gaeltacht; the family; public services; the media and technology; dictionaries; legislation; the economy; and cross-cutting initiatives. Responsibility for implementation within the State bodies under my remit is an operational matter and those...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Meat Processing Plant Inspections (20 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together. Regarding operations in a meat plant operating mechanical classification, at the start of each day the meat plant performs a ‘daily system check’. This ensures that the mechanical classification system is within operational tolerances established by the system provider and if any mechanical system fails a morning system...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (20 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 186, 187 and 190 together. I and my officials have been working very hard for quite some time to sensitise other Member States and the European Commission to the potentially very severe impacts of Brexit on the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors, and to the likelihood of specific supports being required in order to deal with these impacts. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (20 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I and my officials have been working very hard for quite some time to sensitise other Member States and the European Commission to the potentially very severe impacts of Brexit on the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors, and to the likelihood of specific supports, including exceptional reasons under EU Regulation 1308/13, being required in order to deal with these impacts. The institutions...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (20 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: The UK is Ireland’s largest export destination for beef exports. In 2018, beef exports were valued at €2,439m and exports to the UK were valued at €1,206m, which is 49.4% of beef exports. Retention of the UK market for the beef industry is a key component of the Government's response to Brexit. I have provided a total of €19.5m to Bord Bia since the UK...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: State Aid (20 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. I and my officials have been working very hard for quite some time to sensitise other...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Slaughtering Standards (20 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Carcase classification and carcase presentation controls in slaughter plants are carried out by a dedicated team of specialist staff in the Beef Carcase Classification Section within my Department. Classification Officers conduct unannounced, on-the-spot inspections in 32 beef slaughtering plants to ensure that Carcase Classification is carried out in accordance with EU Regulations. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: TAMS Data (20 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: The TAMS II Scheme provides a grant towards the cost of installing solar panels for the purposes of electricity production on buildings used for pig, poultry and egg production. There have been no applications for this investment from counties Laois and Offaly.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (20 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: The Beef Sector is an important element of the Irish rural economy and I am conscious of the importance that this key sector plays in rural Ireland. To this effect, I recently launched the Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot, a targeted support of €20 million for suckler farmers specifically aimed at further improving the economic and environmental efficiency of beef production. As...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (20 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I recently launched the Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot, a targeted support for suckler farmers specifically aimed at further improving the economic and environmental efficiency of beef production. As well as clear environmental and climate benefits, the BEEP will provide farm gate investment at a time of market volatility and uncertainty relating to Brexit. I am very conscious that...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: TAMS Payments (20 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: The applicant in question made an application for mobile sheep handling equipment in the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme of TAMS II. The payment claim had a penalty applied and the application of this penalty has been reviewed following a request from the applicant. A balancing payment due following the outcome of the review will issue to the applicant shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Slaughtering Standards (20 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017 governs the monitoring of carcase classification, carcase presentation and weighing. Inspections carried out by my Department identify when the grading machines are operating outside of tolerance. In 2017, my Department conducted almost 630 unannounced, on-the-spot inspections in 32 factories on classification and carcase...