Results 15,281-15,300 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Data (18 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: One of the goals outlined in my Department's current Statement of Strategy is to continue to develop a highly skilled, diverse and gender-balanced workforce.  My Department is committed to supporting a positive working environment for all staff, one that provides equality of opportunity and supports work-life balance. Staff in my Department work in various locations around the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Supports (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1123, 1124 and 1138 to 1140, inclusive, together. 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 has the potential to have a very significant impact on the sector, given its unique exposure to the UK market, which...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Felling Licences (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: The Forestry Act, 2014 and the Forestry Regulations, 2017 provides for the regulation of forestry operations in Ireland. Part 4 of the Act sets out the requirement to obtain a tree felling licence, prior to felling or uprooting a tree or trees. Section 19 sets out the situations where a person is exempt from obtaining a tree felling licence. There is no maximum distance a tree can be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1126 and 1143 together. I am aware of the campaign to stop live animal exports to Libya. Live exports are a critical part of Ireland’s livestock industry. They play a significant role in stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. The Department facilitates this trade, recognising its critical importance to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fallen Animal Collection Scheme (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: The Fallen Animal TSE Subsidy Scheme is an integral part of the infrastructure underpinning Ireland’s successful livestock and meat processing industries. The Scheme ensures primarily that fallen bovine animals over 48 months, which must be BSE-tested in accordance with EU legislation, are disposed of in compliance with all animal and public health and environmental regulations....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1128 and 1129 together. The Planning and Development Acts make specific provision for submissions to be made available to the public. It must be noted that submissions made under these Acts are not generally available on the local authority website, but are held on file and made available to view in the local authority offices or copies provided for a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Grants (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: Based on 2018 afforestation rates for GPC 1 (32ha), the additional cost of increasing the grant and premium rates to €3,150/ha and €400/ha respectively would be €116,334.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: My Department has introduced a number of measures over the last year to raise public awareness of the range of services provided by forests and measures to encourage forest owners to adopt actions to promote ecosystem services to improve water quality, biodiversity and habitat protection. These measures include: - A promotion and educational programme with Teagasc. - The Woodland...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: The Carbon Navigator is an online system that supports farmers and their advisors in reducing the carbon intensity of dairy and beef farms. In recognition of the important role forestry plays in removing carbon from the atmosphere and reducing overall emissions at farm level, my Department has funded the development of a forestry element in the next version of the Carbon Navigator. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: Based on 2018 afforestation levels, reverting to 2009 premium rates would cost €38,503,355.63. This is €5,793,454.88 more than if current rates were used. These additional costs are shown in the table below. GPCs 1 2 3 4 5 6 Current rates €90,901.50 €76,672.50 €23,171,719.50 €2,025,063.00 €222,554.25 €1,929,620.25 2009 rates...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: My Department is aware of this proposal and has raised the matter with the European Commission. There are current environmental constraints in place which do not allow for the proposal to be implemented. It is my Department's position that there is a scientific rationale laid out in the Land types for Afforestation document for planting on land classified as GPC 1. Furthermore, the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: The current Forestry Programme 2014-2020 secured State aid approval from the European Commission in 2015. This State aid approval did not include aid for reforestation. Recommendations outlined in the report referred to could be considered in the context of the next Forestry Programme 2021 - 2027, which would take account of relevant State Aid rules and other considerations concerning the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: Participants in the afforestation scheme are eligible to apply for the basic payment scheme, provided that the afforested land meets the following requirements: - The land to be afforested was declared on a 2008 SPS application form; - The applicant who declared that land on a 2008 SPS application form was paid under the 2008 Single Payment Scheme; - The land to be afforested was eligible...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Woodland Improvement Scheme (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: The Woodland Improvement Scheme provides financial support to forest holders towards the cost of woodland improvement works associated with thinning of broadleaf forests and broadleaf mixtures that meet the required eligibility criteria. The scheme facilitates the enhancement of the environment associated with thinning. Thinning stimulates investment through improvement, protection and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sea Lice Controls (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: The control protocols for the management of sea lice are operated by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State. These protocols are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons: - the inspection regime is totally independent of the industry; - data obtained from these inspections is published and made widely available; - treatment trigger levels are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Management (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: The Forestry Inspectorate of my Department is responsible for implementing the forestry aspects of the EU Plant Health Directive, Council Directive 2000/29/EC on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community. The Forestry Inspectorate implements import provisions and inspections...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hen Harriers Threat Response Plan (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: The Hen Harrier Programme is operationally independent of my Department and is run by the Hen Harrier Project team. As was announced earlier this month, the Hen Harrier project team can now offer a contract to every eligible farmer who has expressed an interest in joining the Hen Harrier Programme. At present there are 628 participants under contract and a further 1,059 farmers will be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Payments (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: The person named was approved into GLAS 2 and has received payments for scheme years 2016, 2017 and the 2018 Advance. Following a review of GLAS payments, this applicant was identified as one of a small number of participants due an additional payment. My officials are currently working on this issue and expect the outstanding payment to issue shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: The person named submitted an application under TAMS II that was rejected as it did not meet the Nitrates requirements. A request for a review of this decision was received from the applicant on 18 April 2019. The case will now be reviewed by the Department and the applicant will be advised in writing of the outcome. Should the applicant remain dissatisfied with the outcome of this...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 May 2019)

Michael Creed: My Department, together with Teagasc, is closely monitoring the interesting research work done in Australia and Canada on the use of seaweed as a dietary supplement to reduce methane with a view to deciding if new research to validate the findings under Irish conditions is warranted. While the Australian and Canadian research does indeed look promising, a number of questions remain to be...