Results 11,981-12,000 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Other Questions: Horse Racing Ireland (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: Horse Racing Ireland, HRI, is a commercial State body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 and responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. The Deputy will be aware that the board of HRI has its own obligations in relation to compliance with corporate governance standards. In this context, I understand HRI operates...

Other Questions: Horse Racing Ireland (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: On the amount of money at stake, it is substantial for a substantial industry which is estimated to be worth €1 billion and has approximately 14,000 employees. There is an accountability structure in place, with its audited accounts being subject to verification by the Comptroller and Auditor General. As I said to Deputy Martin Kenny, it is not a case of handing over funds without...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Industry (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: A whole-of-Government approach is being taken to the matter and if the Deputy parses and analyses the budget in detail, he will find that is the case. I was in the UK last Tuesday and I met with the chief executive of one of the big multiples there who does in excess of €155 million worth of trade with Irish agrifood sectors. I impressed on him that Ireland is still open for business...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Environmental Regulations (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: The EU Commission is currently engaged in a review of certain regulations pertaining to the basic payment and greening schemes.  This process was commenced to try to reduce the complexity of regulations for farmers and to make schemes less bureaucratic and more streamlined to administer. As part of this process the Commission has introduced a proposal to ban the use of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Environmental Regulations (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: To put it into context, we are talking about approximately 1,000 tillage farmers, 700 of whom have their ecological focus areas and the hedgerows on their land. Within the specific area of concern and the issue we are discussing here, the numbers involve about 300 tillage farmers. It is a question of balance. I accept Deputy Ryan's points, up to a point, but if we are to force those 300...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Funding (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: The SPCI does not have the necessary network to deliver this loan product. It operates out of an office in Dublin and does not have a branch network. Those in Letterkenny, west Kerry or west Cork who want to access the loan product need access through a local financial institution. The SBCI will put out a call for partners to deliver the scheme. I have spoken to Bank of Ireland, AIB, and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Industry (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: As I have said, the UK’s decision to leave the EU presents enormous challenges for the entire Irish agrifood sector, including beef where the UK accounts for some 50% of our exports. I, together with my Department, our agencies and stakeholders, have been carefully considering the potential impacts of the UK vote, looking at the areas in which the greatest risks may...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Industry (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: I am on the record as having said there is no upside to Brexit for the agricultural sector. That continues to be the case, and the more anybody analyses it, the more apparent it becomes. There is a naive simplicity to the suggestion that a Minister for Brexit would solve all of the problems. Indeed, some of those who shouted loudest for that have not made an appointment with the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Horse Racing Ireland (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: It is entirely wide of the mark to say that the board of HSI gets a sum of money from the Exchequer and that there is no further accountability. The board publishes an audited set of accounts annually and clearly shows what it does with the money. I invite the Deputy to look at HSI's capital infrastructure programme to improve racecourses in Tralee, Killarney, Mallow and the new flagship...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Horse Racing Ireland (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: The Deputy will be aware that there is a betting tax now and that it is contributing significantly in this area. The question as to whether it can do more is one that could usefully have been asked in the debate we have just had on the Finance Bill. It is a new development and it is raising significant funds. I re-emphasise the point that there is an accountability structure in place...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Funding (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: In view of the sustained period of lower commodity prices and the cashflow difficulties this has caused for farmers in several sectors, I have committed to working with all stakeholders at national and EU level to address the issues involved and to ensure that we continue to have a sustainable and resilient sector.  One of my priorities is to support the provision of lower-cost...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Funding (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: What is the specific information the Deputy seeks?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Funding (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: In early January.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Funding (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: Let it be clear that I am not encouraging farmers to borrow money. I am inviting them to avail of this option if it is appropriate. Whether the answer is to refinance existing loans will have to be looked at on a case-by-case basis. If there is a penalty for early payment of a loan, this may not be appropriate. If a farmer is making investments under TAMS next year, it might be...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agrifood Sector (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: I thank the Deputy for his question. It is true that on the agrifood side the impact will be most adversely reflected in the rural economies. The Deputy's reference to the study which refers to 80% of employment being outside of the greater Dublin region is relevant in this regard. This is the reason for all the serious initiatives we have taken. The stakeholders forum has met on two...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agrifood Sector (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: On the latter point, Food Wise 2025 is an industry-document that my Department facilitated in terms of development. We have previously had challenging issues in this sector, including BSE, foot and mouth disease and the pork dioxin crisis, all of which, at the time, were enormous challenges to this sector. Brexit is not sufficient to derail the ambition, which is a long-term ambition for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Horse Racing Ireland (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: Horse Racing Ireland 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 appointment of the chief executive officer is a matter for the board of HRI subject to the consent of the relevant Ministers. In this instance, the Minister for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agrifood Sector (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: The United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union presents significant challenges for the Irish agrifood sector. My Department, together with its agencies and stakeholders, has been carefully considering the potential impacts of a UK exit, looking at the areas in which the greatest risks may arise and on which we will need to focus when negotiations begin. The main areas in which...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: My Department has recently invited all rural Local Authorities to submit applications for funding under the CEDRA Rural Innovation and Development Fund for innovative agri-food tourism projects, which advance rural and coastal economic development. Proposals for these agri-food tourism projects may also include support for local food and artisan markets. My Department proposes to allocate a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Funding (27 Oct 2016)

Michael Creed: Since taking up office, one of my priorities has been to address the impact on farmers of the sustained period of lower commodity prices. I am conscious that this has caused cash flow difficulties for farmers in several sectors and I am committed to using all efforts to address this issue.  The €150 million fund for "Agri Cash Flow Support" announced on budget day is...