Results 7,961-7,980 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Horseracing Industry (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: I stated our current testing regime is equivalent with that of the rest of the world and meets the standard required of us internationally. The object of the task force that was convened was to deal with the outstanding issues. It would be nice to have an acknowledgement that here was the industry taking a leadership role in stating that doing only what everybody else does may not be good...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Horticulture Sector (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: I thank Deputy Cahill for his question. I am aware of the damaging effects of Storm Ophelia on many sectors, including agriculture and horticulture. This is most regrettable as the horticulture sector is experiencing strong market demand after a number of challenging years. I am confident that as our economy continues to grow the nursery sector will likewise prosper. In 2016, Ireland's...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Horticulture Sector (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: I do understand. It is like a whole host of other sectors. Deputy Cahill, with his background in the dairy sector, will be aware that dairy farmers suffered losses during Storm Ophelia, as did a host of other businesses. I am saying there is a scheme of grant aid available from my Department and the 2018 scheme launch is imminent. I would ask Deputy Cahill - I appreciate the specific...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): GLAS Payments (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: Commonage advisers were appointed to most commonages in 2015, which left them with sufficient time to do preparatory work such as walking and assessing commonages. The uploading of the common management plan is far and away not the most onerous aspect of the process. On the contrary, it is the final action required in the process and there has been more than ample time to update all the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): GLAS Payments (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: There is no deadline. The plans are still being received.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): GLAS Payments (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: My understanding, subject to verification, is that when a planner engages with the online system, he or she will leave a thumbprint or some form of marker on the system, even in cases where the plan has not been fully uploaded. The system has been engaged in respect of more than 2,000 of the 3,700 commonage management plans required. It is possible that we will receive the overwhelming...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): GLAS Payments (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: To be fair, that was not an issue and the facility is now available. There is no evidence to suggest planners were knocking down the Department's doors to submit plans. It does not take long to upload a commonage management plan.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Horseracing Industry (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: In this momentous week for the Irish racing industry, with Irish horses securing first, second and third places in the Melbourne Cup, I am sure the Deputy will join me in recognising this achievement, which is a significant acknowledgement of Irish global leadership in equine matters. Horse Racing Ireland, HRI, is a commercial State body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: Deputy Wallace has guaranteed himself a headline, but I do not believe it is based on any kind of fact. It is extraordinary of him to say our dairy and beef is the most climate-destructive form of food production. We are having a dialogue of the deaf. In terms of the carbon footprint per kilo of output our dairy industry is the most efficient in the world and our beef is the fifth most...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: Deputy Wallace is taking cheap pot shots.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: We are funding a good deal of research in this area. Our research partners, including Teagasc, are liaising with third level institutes and private industry. We are looking at international developments. Deputy Wallace referenced seafood. We have watched so many false dawns and apparent silver bullets. We do not believe there is a silver bullet but we are certainly tracking research....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: If we were to do that, what would happen?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: Beef producers with carbon footprints many multiples of ours would steamboat here from South America and displace our produce. Deputy Wallace would stand idly by and applaud as our beef farmers go out of business.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: Deputy Wallace said that our dairy and beef were the most destructive forms of food production.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): GLAS Payments (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: My Department aims to pay as many farmers as possible their 2017 advance payment. The Department is dependent on all applicants providing the necessary material to qualify for payment. All GLAS applications must pass regulatory controls and validations, as is the case with all European Union co-funded schemes. Each application must pass the necessary checks, including the commonage...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: I thank the Deputy for her question. I recognise fully the potential difficulties farmers and citizens, including those in the Border counties, are likely to face in the event of a hard Brexit, given the highly integrated nature of agri-trade and commercial, social and cultural interaction on the island of Ireland. However, from the beginning of the Article 50 negotiations Government policy...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: I agree with the points articulated by the Deputy. There are many agribusinesses along the Border such as the aforementioned McCarren's, Lakeland Dairies, LacPatrick and Strathroy in the North. We have, effectively, an all-island agrifood economy. Some 50% of our beef exports and 30% of our dairy exports are to the United Kingdom. A significant challenge is presented in that regard,...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: That is the reason the Border and such Irish issues were placed front and centre in the negotiations and there has to be sufficient progress made on them before we move on to deal with the future trading relationship. We can understandably concentrate on the economic impact, but as a Border resident, the Deputy is aware that the political aspect is also very important, as is the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Greenhouse Gas Emissions (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: The Deputy's question is predicated on emissions rising year on year and that is simply not the case. Between 1990 and 2015 greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector reduced by 5.5%. It is important that the facts are correct. Approximately 80% of all stored cattle manure in Ireland is produced as slurry, the remaining portion being a solid fraction or farmyard manure. For...

Priority Questions: Coillte Teoranta Lands (8 Nov 2017)

Michael Creed: My effort is lost in terms of trying to convey that it is not a case of either wind energy or trees. In fact, the objective is to try to maximise the potential of some of the sites to harvest wind in order that the company will have the resources to reinvest in its core business. That kind of refocusing on the core business is a direction of travel that I believe is welcome.