Results 10,981-11,000 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: Article 32 of EU Regulation 1305/2013 requires all member states to implement a new system for designating eligible areas under the ANC scheme from 2018 at the latest. Currently, eligible land under the scheme is designated by reference to criteria such as stocking density, family farm income, population density and the percentage of the working population engaged in agriculture. Under the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: I can give a statement of my ambition, but there are clearly defined European Commission criteria that officials in my Department are obliged to apply in respect of lands across the country. Of course it is my ambition that what we have, we hold. There will be a consultation process and engagement with stakeholders. We hope we will be in a position to ensure that everybody who has a payment...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: For the record of the House, the number of applicants awaiting AEOS payments is not 4,000; it is 2,600. I fully accept the concern of anybody awaiting payment. In many respects, when one is explaining one is losing. I must be fair to the staff in the Department. We must be fair to everybody, including staff and farmers. Farmers are owed their money. We are contractually bound to pay...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aquaculture Licence Applications (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: If I had acted against the advice of the Marine Institute, my officials and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Deputy Ryan would be the first to criticise me, and perhaps rightly so. In this instance, as is provided for in the process of assessment of applications, the advice was taken on board. The experts made their recommendations and I abided by them. I have no doubt that had I done otherwise the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aquaculture Licence Applications (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: It would not be appropriate for me to comment in a way that would be seen to prejudice or influence the independent appeals board and I do not propose to do so. It is not the case that the advices that come to never recommend and EIS. The Deputy is aware of what happened in this instance.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aquaculture Licence Applications (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: In this case, the expertise was availed of and the advertisement process was complied with. Outside of the context of this specific application - as I said, I do not think it is appropriate to draw me into making a judgment on a matter that is before the independent appeals board - I have established a committee to examine the overall issue of licensing. It has carte blancheto examine all...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: The green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, and the previous agri-environment scheme, the agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, provide valuable support to farmers to deliver environmental benefits and public goods which will enhance Ireland's agricultural sustainability credentials into the future. They provide support to Irish farmers aimed at enhancement of biodiversity, water...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: I assure the Deputy that my departmental officials, administrative and IT, are working flat out to resolve this issue. I am not pointing the finger at anybody. When my Department hit the "pay" button in respect of GLAS, some applications did not get through the system. In terms of what needs to happen now, all of the outstanding applications will have to be scrutinised. The problems...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: The Deputy calls for €200 million to be targeted at the beef sector. While I acknowledge the sector has had a difficult year, the Deputy comfortably avoided the issue of where this funding would be found. He indicated it should be allocated from the rural development programme. It must be borne in mind that we have expenditure lines that extend until the completion of the programme...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: I note the Deputy failed to address the issue I raised. If he calls for something of this nature, he must be specific. He referred to a figure of €200 million. He must indicate whether this money should be taken from the disadvantaged areas scheme or GLAS.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: The European Union has indicated that Ireland's drawdown of rural development programme spending is way ahead of that of all other member states.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: The Deputy conveniently ignores that in recent days we re-opened GLAS to bring numbers up to more than 50,000. We are committed to examining the beef data and genomics programme to identify any scope we may have in that regard. However, we are constrained by the commitments we have made in other areas. The Deputy is not being honest with those who are listening to this debate.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: Where will he find the funding he seeks? If it is to come from the rural development programme, will it be taken from the disadvantaged areas scheme, the sheep scheme we are introducing or GLAS? He cannot have his cake and eat it.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aquaculture Licence Applications (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: All applications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 and, in the case of marine aquaculture, the Foreshore Act 1933. The assessment process takes full account of all national and EU legislative requirements and reflects the full scientific, environmental, legal, public policy and engineering aspects...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Young Farmers Scheme (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: In accordance with EU regulations, members states may define additional eligibility criteria as regards appropriate skills and-or training in respect of the national reserve and young farmers schemes. Since the introduction of the single payment scheme in 2005 decisions relating to the national reserve, including decisions on objective criteria, are taken in consultation with the direct...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Young Farmers Scheme (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: Successive Ministers in previous Administrations have always stipulated the educational qualification of young farmers as a criterion. We have to notify the Commission that it is an additional requirement that we are imposing so that our requirements are compatible with its requirements. The Commission has always approved the requirements that we, exercising a domestic competence, add to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Young Farmers Scheme (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: I must emphasise a point which appears to be lost on the Deputy, whether deliberately or otherwise. These entitlements are a valuable resource that farmers own. This is not Exchequer funding, so if we want to create a national reserve, we have to take it from other farmers. In targeting it at others, we have to ensure that we are targeting it appropriately, that is, at active and trained...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Young Farmers Scheme (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: These objective criteria have always been approved by the advisory committee, which is made up of farm advisory services and farmers' representatives. It is only right and proper that they would be assured that it is in the long-term interests of the industry if they are giving something from their members. New and young blood, training and educational qualifications are rational criteria...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: The introduction of a specific coupled payment for suckler cows from pillar 1 funding would involve a redistribution of funds allocated to farmers under pillar 1. This would necessitate a linear cut across payment to all basic payment scheme beneficiaries.  The annual cost of such a measure would exceed €200 million. Ireland has supported the greater market...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rural Development Plan (2 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: I do not think anything I can say will change the Deputy's narrative or demeanour.