Results 4,501-4,520 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fish Quotas (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: It would not be for the Department to deliberately undermine science. We are generally advised on these matters by the Marine Institute in particular. There is within ICES and implicit within the decision a willingness to reconsider the science, to look at how its conclusions were reached and at the data inputs that led to the suggestion of a 61% cut in the total allowable catch for 2019....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Skills Shortages (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: The Deputy's point is very well reflected in the report by Tom Moran, the former Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in particular on the dairy side but also the labour issues inside the farm gate. One point he made is that a transition is required from farmers who have traditionally worked on their own to being employers, particularly those who have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Laboratory Facilities (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: My Department has commissioned a cost-benefit analysis, CBA, of options that have been proposed for the future development of the regional veterinary laboratories, RVLs. The team conducting the CBA includes internationally-recognised, independent experts in economic analysis and animal disease surveillance. I expect a report and recommendations to be presented to me in the near future....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Laboratory Facilities (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: The rationale for considering the regional veterinary laboratory structure and the cost benefit analysis is to make sure that what we have is fit for purpose. I envisage investment and not dismantling of services. The Deputy can rest easy. I am waiting for the advice on the roadmap but it is investment in these infrastructures we anticipate.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Laboratory Facilities (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: I am trying to put the Deputy's mind at ease.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Laboratory Facilities (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: This €13 billion export-orientated industry is built on a quality production system that is verified in many instances through the regional veterinary laboratories. I felt it imperative to make sure that infrastructure was fit for purpose and if there is a requirement for investment that we have the appropriate targeted investment. I do not envisage dismantling the service, I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Laboratory Facilities (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: Did I not just tell the Deputy to put his mind at ease?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ports Facilities (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: My Department has been working to assess the infrastructure requirements at ports and airports that handle consignments of plants, animals and plant and animal products from the United Kingdom. This work is part of a co-ordinated Government-wide approach involving the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Health...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: The withdrawal agreement provides for a transition period during which there will be absolutely no change to existing fishing rights of access or quota shares. The transition period will last until the end of December 2020 but could be extended. During the transition period, there will be negotiations on an overall future relationship agreement and fisheries will be part of those...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: Since 23 June 2016, and even before that, we have been working closely with the fishing industry and with other member states across Europe which are impacted by Brexit, in particular those who are fishing in UK waters and face the prospect of losing access and quota shares in certain circumstances under which the UK may depart the European Union. We have successfully built an alliance of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: I am acutely conscious of the needs and asks of the industry and I have worked closely with its representatives. The industry has spoken on the withdrawal agreement and the political declaration and it acknowledges that they achieve all the objectives we have set in the context of the Brexit negotiations to date.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Skills Shortages (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: I am acutely aware of the shortage of labour that exists in some parts of the agrifood sector, and in the economy generally. It should be noted that the sector accounts for 7.9% of total employment, or approximately 174,000 jobs. As most of these jobs are based outside of our cities, they are crucial to the rural economy. Food Wise 2025 highlighted the need for the attraction, retention and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Skills Shortages (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: I appreciate the Deputy's concerns. My Department is now involved in a working group with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and we will be proactive in trying to find a resolution to the issue. It is one of the downsides of an economy that is nearing full employment and I am acutely conscious of how it impacts on the agrifood sector, both inside and outside the farm...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: I would like to be able to reassure the Deputy that the final outcome will meet the objectives to which he aspires. The onus and obligation will be greatest on those involved in intensive agricultural activity, where the challenge to the landscape, the emissions profile and so on is far greater than for those involved in a less intensive agricultural activity. That is logical. It is right...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Milk Supply (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: As the Deputy is aware, in recent years the European Union has accumulated large amounts of public intervention stocks of skimmed milk powder which are overhanging the dairy market and having negative effects on wider dairy markets and market sentiment. In the 2015-17 period a total of 405,478 tonnes of skimmed milk powder were bought into public intervention. The sale of intervention...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Milk Supply (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: I take the view that a substantial overhang of skimmed milk powder at the start of 2018, in excess of 370,000 tonnes, was a significant dampener of dairy markets. I do not think there is one industry representative to whom I have spoken who is critical of the manner in which the European Commission off-loaded the skimmed milk powder intervention stock, which has worked to the extent that it...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Milk Supply (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: Undoubtedly, if the Deputy sings the same tune repeatedly, on some occasions he will hit the right note. It is unfortunate that he does not recognise that what has been done in 2018 has worked. We have managed to dispose of stock without impacting adversely on the market. As what was introduced for a 12-month period worked, we have decided to extend it for a further 12-month period. It...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Meat Processing Plants (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: I thank the Deputy. One fine for one carcass excessively trimmed is one too many. It is important to remain focused on our objective, that is, to ensure we have full compliance by the factories with the regulations. In terms of the inspections carried out to date in 2018, 0.05% of 44,000 carcasses were found to have non-compliance. Every non-compliance is one too many and, to enhance the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Meat Processing Plants (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: What they do with the information is up to them but they will know the identity of the individual plants responsible.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Meat Processing Plants (6 Dec 2018)

Michael Creed: I do not accept that either I or the much maligned beef forum has failed. In fairness to all the participants in the forum, the resolution to this issue has been progressed through that. The fact that we are having additional staff trained and put in situ to enhance the level of inspections and the supervision of the kill line to make sure that the existing very low level of non-compliance...