Results 3,981-4,000 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme Review (14 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together. The nitrates derogation enables farmers to exceed the 170 kg livestock manure nitrogen limit (2 Dairy cows per Ha) up to a maximum of 250 kg N/ ha ( less than 3 Dairy cows per Ha) subject to adherence with specific additional environmental requirements and is an important facility for more intensive farmers. With 6,900 applicants in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Appeals (14 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 to 209, inclusive, together. Further to the completion of the review of eligible lands under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, which was required by EU regulation, my Department wrote to all impacted farmers advising of the status of their lands under the 2019 ANC scheme. These letters included a form to instigate an appeal. The appeals form...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Capital Expenditure Programme (14 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: There were no capital projects completed in my Department since 2011 with a value in excess of €10 million. However, my Department has two major capital projects in progress, which are not yet complete. One capital project is currently in progress on the East Tip, Haulbowline Island. My Department assumed responsibility for remediation works at Haulbowline Island in 2012....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Protection (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Has the Deputy cleared that with his own fishing representatives?

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Protection (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Under the Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, non-EU vessels are precluded from fishing in the waters around Ireland up to the 200-mile limit, other than under an EU agreement. For example, limited access is provided for Norwegian and Faroese fishing vessels under reciprocal access agreements. The Russian and Icelandic vessels referred to by the Deputy...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Protection (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: For the Deputy's information, the regulation and policing of this area is determined under the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. It is interesting to note in the context of that legislation that I am specifically mentioned and prohibited from any involvement in the day-to-day management, supervision and operation of the enforcement regime, which is only right and proper....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Protection (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: -----but his information is at variance with the facts as conveyed to me by officials in my Department. We are adamant that our fishing resource is adequately policed and monitored to maintain sustainability, and to ensure that our waters are not over-fished and that people fish only in accordance with the quotas that are allocated to them on an annual basis. There is some access for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Afforestation Programme (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: The current Forestry Programme (2014-2020) commenced in 2015 and offers an ambitious and attractive set of forestry measures aimed at increasing timber production and continuing to provide up to 12,000 jobs in the forestry sector while at the same time improving the quality of the natural environment. The afforestation scheme offers a fixed grant towards the costs, subject to the maximum laid...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Consultancy Contracts Data (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that during 2018, my Department commissioned Deloitte to complete one feasibility study at a cost of €25,805 and Ernst & Young to complete the annual account for the EU Paying Agency, which is a requirement of EU law, at a cost of €516,000, of which €257,633 was paid in 2018. My...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Supports (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: 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 depending on the outcome has the potential to have a very significant impact on farmers and on the agri-food sector. There are on-going discussions with the Commission regarding the difficulties facing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Live exports are a critical part of the infrastructure of our livestock industry. They play a significant role in stimulating price competition and provide an alternative market outlet for farmers. My Department facilitates this trade, recognising its critical importance to the agri sector, while ensuring that live animal exports meet the highest welfare standards. In 2017, I reduced the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: From an Irish perspective, we have been very consistent in urging caution in the EU's approach to the Mercosur negotiations, which present a very particular threat to the Irish and European beef sectors in particular. Our position has been reiterated many times, for example by myself and by my colleague, Minister Andrew Doyle, at Council of Agriculture Ministers meetings, and by other...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data and Genomics Programme (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together. The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is currently the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which provides Irish beef farmers with some €300 million in funding over the current Rural Development Programme (RDP) period. This scheme is an agri-environmental measure to improve the environmental...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (13 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 to 161, inclusive, together. Information on the national carcass weight and conformation scores for beef is available here: . The 2018 report is due to be published in the coming days and hard copies of the relevant reports from 2008 - 2018 will be sent to the Deputy's office when the 2018 data are available. Statistics on calving interval and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hazardous Waste Removal (12 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: My Department assumed responsibility for remediation works at Haulbowline Island on behalf of the Government in 2012. The particular focus has been on bringing about compliance with the terms of a European Court of Justice judgment under the waste framework directive concerning the East Tip site. Funding for the remediation project is provided to my Department, in accordance with the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hazardous Waste Removal (12 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: I assure the Deputy there are no silo issues at play here. I am cognisant of the fact there are four Cork Deputies in the Chamber at present and all of us recognise the potential in the greater Cork Harbour area, with Haulbowline as a critical part of developing its potential. The Deputy mentioned Spike Island, Great Island and Cobh. I have been to Haulbowline and witnessed this work, so I...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (12 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Within two weeks of the UK Referendum result in 2016, I established a Stakeholders Consultative Committee as a forum through which a full exchange of information between my Department and the range of farming, agri-food and fisheries stakeholders in Ireland could take place as the Brexit process unfolds. To date the Committee has met on 10 occasions. Some 31 different stakeholder groups have...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Scheme Payments (12 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: Issues in respect of the 2017 Organic Farming Scheme balancing payment for the person named have now been resolved. As a consequence, the 2017 Organic Farming Scheme balancing payment will issue shortly. Upon satisfactory completion of the necessary validations in respect of the 2018 Organic Farming Scheme payment for the person named, the 2018 payment will issue shortly thereafter.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Eligibility (12 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: The recognition of education qualifications to qualify for trained farmers status is an operational matter in the first instance for Teagasc. Revenue Leaflet SD2B lists the agricultural courses that qualify trained farmers for certain scheme payments and tax incentives. The minimum education qualification is Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications as validated by Quality and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hen Harriers Threat Response Plan (12 Feb 2019)

Michael Creed: The Hen Harrier Programme is operationally independent of my Department and is run by the Hen Harrier Project team. The information below has been sourced from them. The number of farmers with Tipperary herd numbers who have applied to join the Hen Harrier Programme is 129. The number under contract is 59; 51 of those have been paid and the remaining eight will receive their payment shortly....