Results 10,341-10,360 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: My Department works collaboratively on a range of issues with other Departments. With regard to the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, officials of my Department co-operate very closely with colleagues from that Department and with officials in the local authorities, in particular, in relation to implementation of the Control of Horses Act and legislation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: There are a number of challenges facing the beef industry in the short and medium term, including exchange rate volatility, Brexit and political uncertainty both within the EU and in third countries. I am also aware, as I am sure the Deputy is, that a number of forecasts have predicted an additional 100,000 head of cattle to be available for slaughter in 2017, with the majority of these to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Proposed Legislation (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: The main purposes of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill are to provide for a points system for serious infringements by skippers and licence holders of the Common Fisheries Policy as required by Council Regulation 1224/2009; to affirm that fishing quotas are a national resource; and to introduce other miscellaneous and technical amendments. It is anticipated that the most...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Data (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,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Enterprises (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: The National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme were introduced under the reform of Direct Payments in 2015. These schemes were designed to provide financial support to young farmers and new entrants to farming during the crucial early years immediately following the setting up of a farming enterprise.  A young farmer is defined as a farmer aged no more than 40 years of age in the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: The Hunting Association of Ireland has a detailed code of conduct in place in respect of the hunting of foxes. This code places responsibility on member packs to ensure that hunting is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 that prohibit the hunting of animals which have been released in an injured, mutilated or exhausted condition....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: I hosted a further Tillage Stakeholders Forum on Thursday 16 February which consisted of representatives from all sides of this Sector. Addressing the Forum, I took the opportunity to highlight that one of my priorities has been to address the impact of the change in the sterling exchange rate and lower commodity prices in some sectors, which have caused cash flow difficulties for farmers....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: There were 2,455 applicants under the 2016 ANC scheme in County Westmeath. Under the Rural Development Regulation each Member State must designate areas eligible for payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme.  The ANC scheme replaces the previous Disadvantaged Areas Scheme/Less Favoured Areas Scheme.  The designation of eligible areas under these...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Legislative Programme (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: It is my intention to introduce a Bill to amend the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 in order to provide for a points system for serious infringements of the Common Fisheries Policy as required by EU Council Regulation 1224/2009 for both skippers and licence holders; to affirm that fishing quotas are a national resource; and to introduce other miscellaneous and technical...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: The General Scheme of the Greyhound Industry Bill 2017 reflects recommendations for legislative change made in a number of reports on the greyhound racing sector, namely the Indecon Report, the Report of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Morris Review of Anti-Doping and Medication in Ireland. Part of the "Review of Certain Matters Relating to Bord...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: There were 1,297 applicants under the 2016 ANC scheme in County Wexford. Under the Rural Development Regulation each Member State must designate areas eligible for payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme.  The ANC scheme replaces the previous Disadvantaged Areas Scheme / Less Favoured Areas Scheme.  The designation of eligible areas under these schemes to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data and Genomics Programme (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: There are currently 24,473 participants in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme and these participants have 528,989 reference animals. This scheme builds on the pilot Beef Genomics Scheme in 2014 and is a key component of our national Rural Development programme and our supports for the Irish suckler sector. It is a scheme which I firmly believe will provide a lasting positive impact on the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data and Genomics Programme (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: I am aware of calls for the reopening of the BDGP to new applicants. My Department is  currently assessing budgetary priorities and commitments under the RDP and in this context, is considering the feasibility of opening the BDGP to new applicants on a limited basis. When all the above relevant factors have been considered in full, I will make an announcement regarding the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS 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, everything in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: There were 10,368 applicants under the 2016 ANC scheme in County Mayo. Under the Rural Development Regulation each Member State must designate areas eligible for payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme.  The ANC scheme replaces the previous Disadvantaged Areas Scheme/Less Favoured Areas Scheme.  The designation of eligible areas under these schemes to date...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: Bord na gCon is a commercial State body, established in 1958, under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Bord na gCon has informed me that there are no loans to or from the Irish Coursing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hen Harriers Threat Response Plan (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: I have already provided for a significant framework of support for farmers with hen-harrier designated land through my Department's agri-environment scheme GLAS.  Farmers with land identified as important for the hen-harrier are guaranteed access to the scheme as priority candidates in Tier One of GLAS.  I have also provided that such farmers will be automatically approved for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: Ireland has adopted a whole of Government approach to climate policy, which is led by my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. The Government in its National Policy Position adopted an “approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land-use sector, including forestry, which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Laboratory Facilities (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: My Department commissioned a Working Group led by Prof. Alan Reilly to undertake a comprehensive review of the Department’s Laboratories. The Group has presented a report to the Department, which makes recommendations on a number of areas including options for the future development of the Regional Laboratories - with a view to improving disease investigative and surveillance...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon (9 Mar 2017)

Michael Creed: Bord na gCon is a commercial State body, established in 1958, under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. I accept that there are tensions between some greyhound owners and Bord na gCon and of course this is regrettable. The sector faces a number of significant challenges and it is widely acknowledged that...