Results 14,921-14,940 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Preparations (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: As outlined in my initial reply to the Deputy's question, there have been 523 applications for the loan scheme, of which 472 have been approved. That a number of businesses which have had their applications approved have not proceeded to draw down the loan is a reflection of the uncertainty that exists in the business environment. People require certainty before they make investment...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Preparations (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: I do not think so. The three schemes are all somewhat different. The first €150 million was a working capital scheme. It has stimulated competition in the marketplace to such an extent that the product that we introduced at 2.95% is close to what is currently available in the marketplace. That initiative has triggered greater competition for working capital. Details will be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bovine Disease Controls (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: The role played by deer in the spread of bovine TB is the subject of a detailed scientific investigation being carried out by officials from my Department in collaboration with UCD, focusing on the genetic relationship between strains of bovine TB isolated from cattle, deer and badgers in County Wicklow. Previous work carried out by my officials in this area had demonstrated that the same...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bovine Disease Controls (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: In his opening remarks, the Deputy alluded to the cost of the TB eradication scheme since its introduction in the 1950s. It is a staggering amount. My own figure is in the region of €5.5 billion in today's money to take out approximately 2.5 million reactors in that period. It is a devastation that visits farmers if their herds go down with it. If we continue to do the same thing...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bovine Disease Controls (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: I listened with interest to the professor's contribution at the committee. It was interesting, challenging and thought-provoking. I have deliberately refrained from public commentary on what has been in public media about the deliberations of the TB committee. It was tasked with a job and I would like to see it present its report. The Deputy is right that if we continue to do the same...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Beef Industry (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: There is no doubt that the beef sector faces considerable challenges in the form of Brexit and the potential outcome from the EU-Mercosur trade negotiations. However, the Government is doing everything it can to ameliorate the potential impacts, including raising the cumulative effect of these developments in its ongoing engagement with member states and the European Commission. On...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Beef Industry (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: I appreciate the Deputy's points. We have been extremely vigilant in our engagements with the Commission and the Commissioner on Mercosur in particular. The flip side of that, however, is that as a small economy that exports to over 180 countries, we benefit from those trade deals in reverse because we would not be in those markets were it not for our membership of the European Union and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grocery Industry Regulation (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: I am fully committed to promoting good practices that respect the welfare of all animals and my Department devotes considerable resources to protecting animal welfare and in dealing with breaches of animal welfare legislation. This is reflected in the large amount of legislation that has been brought forward in recent years in this area. In particular, I would draw the Deputy's attention to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Preparations (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: I have said on many occasions that there is no upside to Brexit, particularly in the agri-food sector. In order to help mitigate the potential impacts on the sector I have introduced a number of budgetary measures aimed at improving competitiveness, and developing market and product diversification. These included a series of low cost loan schemes to assist in on-farm and agri business...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Maintenance (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: Howth Fishery Harbour Centre 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 dredged in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: Food Wise 2025 identifies “Sustainability” as a central requirement of food production and management of our environment whilst also recognising that Ireland does face significant challenges in meeting some national and international environmental targets. Agriculture has a key role to play in contributing to meeting these targets. One of my priorities is to ensure Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: Total Irish agri-food exports to Iran in 2017 were around €11.5 million, the majority of which (€10.25 million) was accounted for by dairy exports. According to the CSO, 26 tonnes of beef were exported to Iran in 2017, but there have been no export of sheepmeat to-date. The role of my Department is to open up markets for the industry and it is then up to the industry, with...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Preparations (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: While ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement is still the Government's primary focus, and preparations are continuing for all scenarios, greater priority has been given for quite some time now to preparations for a no-deal Brexit. In order to help mitigate the impacts on the sector I have introduced a number of budgetary measures over the last three years aimed at improving...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Meat Processing Plants (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017 governs the monitoring of carcase classification, carcase presentation and weighing. It specifies how on-the-spot checks shall be carried out in all slaughterhouses applying compulsory carcase classification. According to this legislation, on-the-spot checks shall be performed in all slaughterhouses which slaughter 150 or...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: I am very conscious of the role played by the beef sector in sustaining the rural economy and rural communities across Ireland. I am aware of the current challenges facing beef farmers, with a sustained period of low prices, following on from additional costs last year arising from the unprecedented weather events. However, as Minister, I cannot intervene directly in any commodity price;...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: The EU-Mercosur negotiations have not progressed sufficiently to the point where any agreement is likely to be concluded soon. Apart from the well-known sensitivities in relation to Mercosur beef access to the EU market, other outstanding issues include cars, rules of origin, geographical indications, maritime services and EU dairy access to the Mercosur market. The next round of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: I am very conscious of the role played by the beef sector in sustaining the rural economy and rural communities across Ireland. I am aware of the current challenges facing beef farmers, with a sustained period of low prices, following on from additional costs last year arising from the unprecedented weather events. I am deeply committed to fully supporting and developing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Supports (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: I have said on many occasions that there is no upside to Brexit, particularly in the agri-food sector. In order to help mitigate the potential impacts on the sector I have introduced a number of budgetary measures aimed at improving competitiveness, and developing market and product diversification. These included a series of low cost loan schemes to assist in on-farm and agri business...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta Activities (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: The day-to-day management of its forest estate is a matter for, and the responsibility of, Coillte as a commercial State body. Coillte was established under the Forestry Act 1988 and one of its functions is to carry on the business of forestry and related activities on a commercial basis and in accordance with efficient silvicultural practices. I have therefore asked Coillte to respond...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Supports (26 Mar 2019)

Michael Creed: I am very conscious of the role played by the beef sector in sustaining the rural economy and rural communities across Ireland. I am aware of the current challenges facing beef farmers, with a sustained period of low prices, following on from additional costs last year arising from the unprecedented weather events. I am deeply committed to fully supporting and developing...