Results 3,321-3,340 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (18 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: The EU Commission last week issued a Brexit Contingency Plan, agreed with Ireland and seven other impacted Member States, which sets out how fisheries would be managed in a no-deal Brexit.  Fisheries is recognised as one of the most immediately critical issues facing the EU in a no-deal Brexit. The Plan reflects that the EU has adopted two contingency measures in the area...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Identification Schemes (18 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: The farmer data accessible to Food Business Operators (FBO) from my  Department's Animal Identification Movement System (AIM) is limited to what is required under Council Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000 to ensure traceability.  Traceability details of these animals, all of which are also available on the unique bovine passport that accompanies each animal, include the date of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Carcase Disposal (18 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: I am very conscious of the role played by livestock farming in sustaining the rural economy and rural communities across Ireland. I am aware of the current challenges facing beef farmers in particular, with a sustained period of low prices, following on from additional costs last year arising from the unprecedented weather events, and with significant Brexit uncertainty still...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Carcase Disposal (18 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: The data requested by the Deputy is set out in the table - these figures have been sourced from Central Statistics Office (CSO) trade data. The data is based on Combined Nomenclature (CN) codes which are a tool for classifying goods, set up to meet the requirements both of the Common Customs Tariff and of the EU's external trade statistics. There is in excess of 50 such codes...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (18 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: This Government welcomes the decision of the European Council last week which prevented a no-deal outcome on 12 April and provides the UK with more time to ensure an orderly withdrawal.  However, we are continuing our preparatory work to take account of all possible outcomes due to the ongoing uncertainty. The Government published a Contingency Action Plan on 19 December,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Eligibility (18 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: The Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) opened in three tranches commencing in 2015 following the closure of the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS).  All AEOS participants were given the option of joining the GLAS scheme should they have wished to do so.  The GLAS scheme is now fully subscribed with GLAS 3 participants in their third year of participation in the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (18 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: I have recently held bilateral discussions with Commissioner Hogan on the economic impact of Brexit, including on the margins of the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels on 18 March. I have stressed the need to be ready to deploy a range of measures to mitigate the impact on the sector, including through traditional EU market supports and exceptional aid provisions...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (18 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: The best way to protect the agrifood sector is for the UK to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement.  I welcome the decision of the European Council last week which prevented a no-deal outcome on 12 April and provides the UK with more time to ensure an orderly withdrawal and fully protect the Good Friday Agreement. Indeed, among the priorities set by the Irish Government at the outset...

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: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (17 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: Under the eligibility criteria of the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, applicants must maintain 0.15 Livestock Units (LU) per eligible forage hectare for 7 consecutive months and maintain an average of 0.15 LU over the 12 months of the scheme.  Donkeys have always been accepted as eligible animals under the scheme along with cattle, sheep, goats and deer. Horses...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Administration (17 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: The draft legislative proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2020 were launched by Commissioner Hogan on 1 June 2018.  The proposals, as drafted, involve significant changes, including in relation to governance, the distribution of direct payments among farmers and the increasing environmental conditionality attaching to such payments. There will also be some...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licence Administration (17 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: My Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Payments (17 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: My Department has processed 47,474 GLAS 2018 advance payments since 2018 payments commenced last November. This represents over 97% of scheme participants. The bulk of remaining cases have an outstanding issue on the participant's side. My Department continues to work with both farmers and their advisors to ensure that issues are resolved and outstanding payments are made as...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Preparations (17 Apr 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, of course, been given recently to preparations for a no-deal Brexit.  My Department, as part of the whole-of-Government approach, has been very active in relation to preparedness for the import controls at our...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta Lands (17 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: The management of the Coillte forest estate and operational matters such as the issue raised by the Deputy are a matter for, and the responsibility of, Coillte as a commercial State Body.   I have accordingly referred the Deputy’s question to Coillte and have requested that a response issues directly to you.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (17 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: My officials continue to work towards opening and enhancing access to as many markets as possible. This is a key part of our response to the challenges and uncertainty posed by Brexit, and in line with the market development theme of the Food Wise 2025 strategy. The opening of the Chinese market for Irish beef in 2018 was the culmination of significant work over a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Thoroughbred Foal Levy Regulations (17 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. The current Foal Levy scheme, which was introduced in 2000 on a statutory basis, applies to all thoroughbred foals registered in Ireland....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Supports (17 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: I was pleased to launch the "Future Growth Loan Scheme" recently. The initiative has been developed by my Department and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in partnership with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and the European Investment Fund (EIF).  It will be delivered through participating finance providers and make up to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: It cannot just be because Deputy McGrath agrees.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: State Aid (16 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: The €70,000 ceiling on State aid relief in relation to certain agriculture tax measures is imposed by EU Commission Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 concerning state aid. This applies to all Member States and cannot be reviewed or amended unilaterally. My Department has been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, although this ceiling on State aid remains effective, they are...