Results 10,301-10,320 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

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

Michael Creed: HRI is a commercial State body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. The current foal levy scheme, which was introduced in 2000 on a statutory basis, applies to all thoroughbred foals registered in Ireland. The foal levy is calculated with reference...

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

Michael Creed: As the Deputy said, the matter is still before the courts. Nonetheless, I do not want to hide behind that in so far as possible. Approximately 12,000 thoroughbred foals are born every year. The alternative view suggests that, rather than the nominated fee, HRI should be able to operate on the basis of the actual fee. It would be difficult administratively. For example, what is the fee in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Fertiliser Costs (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: I have not heard from Deputy Collins about the way compensation might be paid. As I stated to others, where there is a way there is a will. We are still searching for the way and we have not heard any detailed proposals from the Deputy on that. We would be very interested to hear about that. What are the technical issues? They are myriad and are as many as there are applicants...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Superlevy Fine (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: When EU milk quota was abolished in April 2015, some 6,400 Irish dairy farmers had accrued a superlevy liability of €71 million for exceeding their milk quota. To assist with the large superlevy bill across the EU, the European Commission introduced an optional scheme for member states whereby a milk quota levy incurred by producers in the final quota year could be paid in equal...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Superlevy Fine (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: The rationale for the scheme was twofold. There was a very significant superlevy bill not just in Ireland but across the European Union and a number of member states decided to avail of the latitude offered by the Commission in paying the superlevy over a period rather than up-front. It was also a reflection that at the time, milk prices began to go south, which put additional repayment...

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

Michael Creed: On 29 October 2015, the Chinese food import authorities wrote to the Irish Embassy in Beijing expressing concern about the levels of the heavy metal cadmium in live crabs coming from Ireland, which the Chinese authorities determined exceeded Chinese limits. The Chinese authorities requested that Ireland ensure only crabs which meet the Chinese standards for cadmium be permitted for export....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Beef Data and Genomics Programme (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: I have previously given a commitment to spend every brown cent that is available from the European Commission under the rural development programme. My predecessors of all hues have been in a position to honour similar commitments.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Beef Data and Genomics Programme (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: We will not leave a brown cent unspent under the rural development programme. As I said in my initial reply, I am considering the latitude that might be available to reopen the beef data genomics programme. I accept that the beef sector is having a particularly difficult period. That is why we are taking a multifaceted approach that involves live export opportunities, calf export...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Beef Data and Genomics Programme (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: I do not have anything to add to the points I have already made. As I have outlined, I am considering the latitude that might be available under the rural development programme for further expenditure under the beef data genomics programme. Existing commitments mean that the latitude which is available, if any, is not of the scale suggested by Deputy McConalogue. If the Deputy is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Fertiliser Costs (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: I am aware that fertiliser costs comprise a significant area of expenditure on Irish farms. I strongly believe the elimination of fertiliser tariffs and anti-dumping duties could help farmers to reduce their input costs.  According to EUROSTAT, fertiliser is the third most important expenditure item on EU farms, accounting for €19.2 billion of expenditure in 2014. Fertiliser...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Fertiliser Costs (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: As I said in my response, I have raised this issue at European level. I appreciate that the cost of inputs is something we can endeavour to address. I have raised this issue at meetings of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council. Commissioner Moscovici, rather than the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Hogan, is responsible for anti-dumping tariffs because it is a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Review (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: My understanding is that there will be potential for tiered levels of designation, as is currently the case, within the final designation. The objective now is to secure disadvantaged status against the set of biophysical criteria. Within that status, there will be provision for tiered designation as is currently the case. There are various designations throughout the country. The gap is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Beef Data and Genomics Programme (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: There are currently just under 24,500 participants in the beef data and genomics programme, BDGP. This scheme builds on the previous nationally funded pilot beef genomics scheme 2014 and can provide a lasting positive impact on the national suckler herd both in terms of genetic gain and environmental sustainability. The scheme is now firmly established and its benefits are already...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Beef Data and Genomics Programme (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: It is somewhat reassuring to find that a scheme which, in its early days, was the subject of much criticism, not least from those in certain quarters on the other side of the House, is now one that all quarters are anxious to have because they recognise its merit and want to have it extended further. I am constrained in respect of the beef data and genomics scheme by the funding available...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: Brexit is the challenge of our time and, to be honest, that kind of shrill analysis does no justice to the scale of the challenge we face. I have operated an open door in the context of Brexit and the Deputy has not walked through it with any proposals or submissions on the issue of Brexit. His party spoke at length about the requirement for a Brexit Minister, but it was not until the party...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: We have opened new offices in Warsaw and Singapore and have introduced a €150 million loan fund to address-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: -----the currency impact of Brexit immediately. If Deputy McConalogue has a single positive suggestion, we will embrace it. The Brexit unit has had no contact from him.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: He did not turn up to Dublin Castle for the civic dialogue-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: -----on the two occasions it was held there, when all representatives of industry were present. I invite him-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: -----to talk to industry because it knows we have consulted extensively, analysed this issue-----