Results 3,341-3,360 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

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

Michael Creed: In 2006 my Department introduced a computerised mapping and payment system (iFORIS) which captures a digital representation of all forest areas that are part of grant funded contracts. Capturing the claim map in a digital form allows for the accurate measurement and calculation of the payment area. The process of electronically capturing the claim map is referred to as digitisation. ...

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

Michael Creed: The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded directly to him at the earliest opportunity.

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

Michael Creed: The ‘Hilton’ beef quota is the informal name of the tariff quota for the European Union, regulated by Commission Regulation (EU) No 593/2013, which provides for the opening and administration of tariff quotas for high-quality fresh, chilled and frozen beef and for frozen buffalo meat. The quota has been in operation since 2009, with an initial allocation of 65,250 tonnes of...

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

Michael Creed: Under EU regulations, vessels from a non-EU country may only land fish at a limited number of ‘designated’ ports. This is to aid control and compliance and to deter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activity. There are currently two Irish ports that have been designated for landings by vessels from a third country - Killybegs in Donegal and Castletownbere in Cork. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Preparations (16 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 been given recently to preparations for a no-deal Brexit. Over the past number of months officials from my Department have engaged extensively with the Irish sawmilling sector, wood packaging material producers and third country...

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

Michael Creed: The matter referred to by the Deputy relates to the measures I announced in December which excluded trawling by large vessels in coastal waters inside six nautical miles. I announced this decision following an extensive and detailed public consultation process. Over 900 submissions were received during the public consultation comprising a wide diversity of views. I carefully considered the...

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

Michael Creed: The authorisation of a mechanical classification system is governed by EU legislation (COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2017/1182). The existing system of mechanical classification in Ireland was approved in 2002/03. This mechanical classification system was authorised to grade only one side of the carcase. While it is technically possible to grade both sides of a carcase, in the...

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

Michael Creed: Following discussions about price transparency at the initial meeting of the Beef Roundtable, a commitment was given to develop a 'Beef Pricewatch' online tool to improve price transparency, the 'Beef Pricewatch' app was subsequently launched in October 2014. This app makes the following information available to farmers free of charge and in a very accessible manner: the average price at...

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

Michael Creed: The technical files for each of the Geographical Indication (GI) Spirit Drinks (Irish Whiskey/Uisce Beatha Eireannach/Irish Whisky, Irish Cream and Irish Poteen/Irish Poitín) have, as of the 27th March 2019, been confirmed by the European Commission as meeting the required conditions laid down in Article 15(1) of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 on the definition, description, presentation,...

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

Michael Creed: The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is a network of scientists from over 20 member countries including Ireland which provides advice on catch levels through a collaborative process by scientists from around the world including those from the Marine Institute here in Ireland. Mackerel is Ireland's most important fishery economically and a healthy mackerel stock...

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

Michael Creed: The inspection was conducted by a team led by a Veterinary Inspector from my Department who was assisted by a consultant Marine Surveyor. The main inspection was carried out in port of Ceuta on 13 - 15 March. A final pre-loading inspection of the vessel was conducted on 22 March in Waterford Port and a certificate of approval was issued by my Department on that date.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disability Act Employment Targets (16 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 436 and 437 together. In accordance with Section 47(4) of the Disability Act 2005, my Department surveys all employees annually to establish the number of employees who have a disability. Disclosure by individuals of their disability status is voluntary and disclosure of the nature of the disability is also voluntary and is not required under the...

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

Michael Creed: The Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief announced the introduction of a once-off targeted Voluntary Homeowner Relocation Scheme in 2017. As part of the announcement, the Minister outlined that a feasibility study would be undertaken in relation to a potential once-off targeted scheme for Voluntary Farm Building Relocation. The study to determine the...

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

Michael Creed: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017 governs the monitoring of carcase classification, carcase presentation and weighing. The legal tolerances for authorisation of a mechanical classification system are set in that legislation. The figure quoted of 60% is the minimum accuracy figure for conformation and fat cover that must be achieved for a mechanical...

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

Michael Creed: The mechanical grading machines are the property of each individual meat plant and the images generated by these machines are therefore retained in each factory's own computer system.  While my Department has limited access to these images, it does not own, hold or control these images.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Development (16 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: Pursuant to the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 (as amended), my Department is responsible for the management, control and operation of the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros an Mhíl. My Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licence Applications (16 Apr 2019)

Michael Creed: All applications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and (in the case of marine aquaculture) the 1933 Foreshore Act. The assessment process takes full account of all National and EU legislative requirements and reflects the full scientific, environmental, legal, public policy and engineering aspects...

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

Michael Creed: GLAS is an online scheme supported by an online IT processing and annual payment system.  All GLAS applications were submitted by Advisors to an online system. Papers returns are required on a very limited basis and have been reduced significantly compared to earlier schemes.  A condition of the scheme is that each applicant must engage the services of a GLAS accredited advisor....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports (16 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 is in line with the market development theme of the Food Wise 2025 strategy and the 7 Point Action Plan on market access that I launched in April 2017.  The opening of the Chinese beef market to...

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

Michael Creed: Bhí an té atá ainmnithe ina ábhar do chigireacht Níotráití an 19 Feabhra 2016, arna cur i gcrích ag mo Roinnse thar ceann na Roinne Tithíochta, Pleanála agus Rialtais Áitiúil.  Aithníodh le linn na cigireachta sin go raibh réimse ceanglas tras-chomhlíontachta faoi na Rialacháin Níotráití nach...