Results 10,281-10,300 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Animal Disease Controls (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: The first incident was in Wexford on 30 December 2016 and the remainder of the 12 cases arose, on a rather frequent basis, in the intervening period. I do not have the exact date of the most recent case but I recollect it was not that long ago. This would have informed the steps we took. I acknowledge the assistance of the public. The first incident, which was in Wexford, was brought...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: I thank Deputy Cassells for his understanding. I appreciate the imperative that he has laid down in terms of getting these payments out as quickly as possible. GLAS is probably the most complicated of schemes. There are over 30 separate menu options available to farmers under the scheme. When we cross-reference those actions to the basic payment application, the individual plots...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: Apart from the basic payment scheme GLAS is, by a country mile, the most popular scheme with the Department. This is because of the most recent addition of approximately 13,000 new applicants. In the early part of 2016 a further 12,000 new applications were submitted as well. It is a remarkably successful scheme. It is also complex. With all sincerity I suggest that regardless of who...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Animal Disease Controls (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: Since December 2016 there have been 12 confirmed cases of the H5N8 strain of avian influenza in wild birds in Ireland. In Northern Ireland there have been two confirmed cases in the same period. In Europe, the virus was first detected in Hungary on 28 October. Events have evolved constantly ever since. There have been over 1,000 events recorded, 405 outbreaks in poultry, 29 in captive...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Laboratory Facilities (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: I hear loud and clear the geographical message. I appreciate the importance of a geographical spread. The one assurance I have given is that there will be no diminution of service to the farming community in respect of this. It preceded my appointment, but it was right and proper that Professor O'Reilly was given carte blancheto look at the current service, critique it and make a series of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Laboratory Facilities (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: I think it is unfortunate to say that proposals were pulled out of thin air. To make that statement in respect of a report done by Professor O'Reilly, who has international eminence in this area, is unfortunate.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Laboratory Facilities (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: That is exactly what the Deputy said. He said that proposals were pulled out of thin air.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Laboratory Facilities (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: No decisions have been made and there is no Department document that talks about closing anything. There is a report that was compiled by an eminent person who has internationally-recognised expertise in this area. That report is now the subject of consultation with the staff. That is where matters stand. There is no recommendation to close any regional laboratory service. It is wrong to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: Under the EU regulations governing the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, and the agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the land parcel identification system, must be completed before any payment can issue.  My Department, as the accredited paying agency, must ensure that, before payment issues,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: I will give the Deputy the figures for County Meath.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: The current position is that 66 farmers in GLAS I and 39 farmers in GLAS II have yet to receive their payments and their applications continue to be processed.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: Under the EU regulations governing the green, low-carbon, agri-environment scheme, GLAS, and the agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the land parcel identification system, must be completed before any payment can issue.  My Department, as the accredited paying agency, must ensure that, before payment issues,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: I previously stated on the record of the House that I very much regret the delay in these payments. Whether it is in Wexford, Meath or any other part of the country, I do not find it satisfactory. However, I would say the officials in this area of my Department, both IT and administrative, are working without constraint in terms of overtime and so on to try to resolve the matter. By way...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: I do not want to give a time or date I cannot stand over. All I can do is assure the Deputy that I and my Department recognise the urgency of the situation and are working as hard as possible to try to resolve the issue.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Laboratory Facilities (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine laboratories are an integral part of the Department, providing critical scientific evidence and expertise in animal health, food safety and plant sciences, which allows the Department to function effectively as a regulator, to deal with new and emerging risks and to rapidly respond to disease outbreaks and food safety incidents. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Horse Racing Industry (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: This entire process was reviewed in 2011. The outcome was that the number of bands increased from six to 11. The majority of registrations are now costing between €35 and €50. In the context of a thoroughbred foal, I do not believe that is an exorbitant amount. As the Deputy said, the matter is before the courts and it would be preferable if it was possible for both sides to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Horse Racing Industry (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: It is open to the board, as it did in 2011, to review the matter further.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Horse Racing Industry (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: I am not aware of any falsification of documentation. If Deputy Clare Daly is aware of falsification, however, she should bring the matter to the attention of the appropriate authorities.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Food Exports to China (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: That is not the case. On a delegation to China, I raised the issue, supported by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, with the Chinese authorities. While the Chinese market is very important for us, so is the certification we give, not just to seafood but to all our other food exports. I appreciate the Deputy's point, and the fact the meat is being exported, repackaged and sold on to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Food Exports to China (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: I understand the Deputy's point. At face value, it appears illogical that our crab is purchased by other EU nations and resold. The integrity of our certification process is critical, not just to crab meat to China but to every other product we certify for markets all over the world. If we in any way diminish the standing of the certification process, there would be a domino effect. My...