Results 15,901-15,920 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Data (9 Jul 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tillage Sector (9 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: Fodder beet and other crops such as maize and sugar beet are excluded from the eligible crops list for the purposes of the Tillage Scheme of TAMS II. These crops are sown primarily as a forage crop for animal feed.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tillage Sector (9 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: The person named applied for a grant under the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II.This application was rejected as the applicant had insufficient hectares of eligible crops as per the Terms and Conditions of the scheme which states: The Scheme is open to farmers who (i) prior to submitting the online TAMS II application have a minimum of 15 hectares of eligible crops which have...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (9 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: The political agreement between EU and Mercosur includes a detailed chapter on Sustainable Development goals. The agreement recognises the need to address the urgent threat of climate change and the role trade has in this regard. It also underscores the importance of both Parties implementing the provisions of the Paris Agreement.  It is fundamental that these provisions...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Climate Change Policy (9 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: In line with the Government Decision on the 4th of January of this year, my Department has ceased the use of single use plastics in all of its canteen facilities. All stocks of plastic beverage containers, cutlery, straws etc. were used up by the end of March and they have now been replaced with either compostable or metal alternatives. This was done in conjunction with an awareness...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Motion [Private Members] (10 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: I commend Sinn Féin for tabling the motion, although the Government will not support it, and I will give good reasons for this in due course. It has facilitated an interesting debate and I acknowledge people from the farming community and farming organisations in the Gallery. Obviously they are concerned about aspects of the trade agreement and turned out in numbers today to protest...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Motion [Private Members] (10 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: -----or human rights, indigenous peoples or commitment to International Labour Organization, ILO, regulations. There are, in the headline agreement, provisions relating environmental issues, indigenous people and ILO regulations, which is a relatively new departure in negotiating trade agreements. Therein is the opportunity to nail down the detail in every sentence, with the i's dotted and...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Motion [Private Members] (10 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: -----or from wherever one names? For example, the EU is putting €50 million into the compensation fund, which is matched by €50 million from the Exchequer. We are the only member state that has access to it. In fairness, that is part of the track record of the Commissioner, Mr. Hogan. In terms of my track record and that of the Government, we restored €50 million in...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Motion [Private Members] (10 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: These petty arguments do not enable us to make progress regarding the challenge we face. Let us be truthful about what is happening here today. This is an opportunity to vent the legitimate concerns of the beef industry. A vote today will achieve nothing because there is no agreement as we speak. We have an opportunity use the intervening time to influence the ultimate shape of this deal....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Electricity Grid (10 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: The suite of investments eligible for grant aid under TAMS II has recently been extended to include on-farm solar PV and battery storage facilities. The focus of TAMS II is on the provision of grant aid for on-farm investments and the electricity generated is intended for consumption on the farm enterprise. Wider energy policy including issues regarding the export of power to the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Climate Change Policy (10 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: My Department is actively engaged as part of the whole of Government approach to transitioning to a low-carbon, competitive, sustainable and climate resilient economy and society. The recently launched ‘All-of-Government Climate Action Plan to Tackle Climate Breakdown’ is a collaborative approach that sets out the vision and pathway to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (10 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: All forestry licence applications undergo a comprehensive vetting process to ensure that, inter alia,the landscape, environment and our archaeological heritage are protected. Every application is treated on its own merits and is examined with regard to its effect, if any, on its surroundings. In this particular case, there has been detailed correspondence with the registered forester and a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Shareholdings (10 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: The information requested by the Deputy is available at the following link:

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Contracts Data (10 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: Security services for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, including opening and closing of buildings and alarm activation call outs, are usually provided by Service Officers who are Civil Servants in each building. However, in some instances, where there are no Service Officers in a building, additional security services are needed. Details of companies contracted directly by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Industry (10 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The Greyhound Racing Act 2019 was signed by the President on 28th May 2019. Appropriate...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bovine Disease Controls (10 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 321, 322 and 323 together. The BVD Eradication programme is an Animal Health Ireland-led collaborative programme with representation from various industry stakeholders. BVD testing is compulsory for all cattle born on or after 1st January 2013. The primary method of BVD testing is through the detection of BVD viral antigen on ear notch samples collected by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Haulage Industry (10 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: The Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC) is a voluntary scheme developed, owned and implemented by the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), which is UK-based. My Department, therefore, has no role in the operation of this Scheme. Accordingly, the requirement by certain feed businesses for their hauliers to hold TASCC certification is an operational decision for the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Haulage Industry (10 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: The role of my Department as the competent authority for official controls along the animal feed chain is to ensure the implementation and enforcement of EU and National feed legislation, including those requirements relating to hauliers and the transport of feed. The Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC) is a voluntary scheme developed, owned and implemented by the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Supports (11 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: I have introduced a number of supports to assist the agrifood sector in preparing to address the challenges posed by Brexit. These include:- the €300 million Brexit Loan Scheme for Brexit-impacted SMEs and mid-cap businesses. The funding arrangements ensure that at least 40% of the fund is available to food businesses. Up to 14 June 2019, 585 applications have been approved. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Supports (11 Jul 2019)

Michael Creed: I have had ongoing discussions with Commissioner Hogan regarding the potential impact of a disorderly Brexit. I have stressed the need for the Commission to be ready to deploy a range of measures to mitigate the potential impacts on the agrifood and fisheries sector. Avoiding a no-deal Brexit continues to be the Government’s overriding policy priority. I am also keenly aware that...