Results 1,461-1,480 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Michael Creed: On the Beef Market Taskforce, I am amused at Deputy McNamara's inference that this was a vehicle - if that was the Deputy's view, it certainly did not work - to secure Fine Gael through the election. Far from it, the taskforce is a serious piece of work. It is in the difficulty that all of us are in in terms of meetings but there is ongoing engagement with all of the constituent members....

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Michael Creed: We recognise that we have some room to manoeuvre in terms of EMFF funding that may have been earmarked for expenditure in other areas but due to Covid-19 it will not now be necessary. We are looking at how we might reallocate the funding. There is a view that up to €30 million is available in the context of uncommitted EMFF funding but there is not the smell of that kind of money....

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Michael Creed: That point is applicable to every sector in the economy. I appreciate that in the context of tonight's debate the issue is what other supports might be available. However, whatever other supports are available, we need to make sure that we get the maximum bang for our buck in terms of how we target the funding. In consideration of that, I am following two direct levels of engagement on...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Michael Creed: As it was not raised in any great detail by other Members, I will reply to the fishing points. I have had a lot of engagement, including as late as yesterday, with representatives of the fishing industry. The Deputy is correct in his analysis that there is a challenge whether one is an inshore or offshore fisherman. We have been granted a freedom to reallocate European Maritime and...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Michael Creed: The Deputy is calling for an Irish market for Irish beef. I would love for that to be the case while, at the same time, selling our beef everywhere else without any consequences. We need to be the most vigilant about renationalisation because we are very dependent on exports. This issue is not something that I welcome but I am certainly not going to jump on a populist bandwagon because...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Michael Creed: I am somewhat surprised that Deputy Naughten has followed the path worn by Deputy Carthy, who has left the Chamber, and is advocating for the US model of agriculture. I am staggered by it. US farmers are dumping milk and have seen their beef plants close. At least we have managed to keep milk collected and farmers paid for that milk, albeit there is a price challenge in that regard. ...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Michael Creed: We will continue to work in the EU with colleagues to try to deliver the best possible deal. As to whether that might be a BEAM 2, we are seeking exceptional aid measures for the livestock sector generally because we foresee difficult challenges ahead for it. We have moved from a situation where the response to countries was to relax state aid rules and tell them to go off and fix it...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Michael Creed: I am glad to see the Deputy is not.

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Michael Creed: If the Deputy has evidence of the latter, he should bring it to the appropriate authorities. Evidence from my chief veterinary officer and staff in the Department is that at these individual plants, everything is being done by management, in conjunction with my Department and the HSE, to deal with these issues. On the issue of bringing forward payments, we have had discussions with the...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Michael Creed: Why am I not surprised?

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Michael Creed: With regard to the previous issue, the Deputy does not substantiate his allegations but he is prepared to propagate them. That is unfortunate.

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Michael Creed: I am substantiating the defence insofar as staff from my Department are working in conjunction with management in those plants as well as local HSE officials. There is nothing to suggest the allegation the Deputy is making, whether against those meat plants or any of the aforementioned workplaces, is true.

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Michael Creed: It is a smear tactic dressed up as concern, which is regrettable.

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Michael Creed: I am reminded of Deputy Duncan Smith's comment earlier about people who want to conflate a load of issues to point fingers at people who may have done no wrong. We have the appropriate authorities within the State to inspect and protect workers. As it happens, the HSA is not under the remit of my Department and I am not in a position, nor do I think it is my function or that of the...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (30 Apr 2020)

Michael Creed: I alluded to this point in previous questions. We are aware of six clusters within the meat processing industry. We have direct staff and contracted staff in those operations who work closely with management and the HSE. I am assured that all steps are being taken. The import of the Deputy's question seems to be that management in these companies would in some way jeopardise the ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (5 Mar 2020)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 913 and 949 together. My Department continues to monitor the situation in relation to the floods, with significant flooding occurring of farmlands but, in general, not of farmyards to date. A study to determine the feasibility of any future, once-off, targeted scheme for Voluntary Farm Building Relocation is being undertaken. My Department has evaluated a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Supports (5 Mar 2020)

Michael Creed: The €300 million Brexit Loan Scheme was introduced, in cooperation with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), to provide funding support to enable eligible Irish businesses (i.e. SMEs or small mid-caps) to implement the changes necessary to address the challenges posed by Brexit. It provides for loans of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Future Growth Loan Scheme (5 Mar 2020)

Michael Creed: The Future Growth Loan Scheme was developed by my Department and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, in partnership with the Department of Finance and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI). It is being delivered through participating finance providers nationally to make up to €300 million of investment loans available to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Felling Licences (5 Mar 2020)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 916 and 958 together. A commitment has been given to the development of a sustainable and viable forestry sector in Ireland and some €600m has been invested through the current National Forestry Programme.  Furthermore, the Climate Action Plan 2019 enshrines the importance of the forestry sector to the achievement of national targets not least...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (5 Mar 2020)

Michael Creed: Following consultation with stakeholders in advance of the 2019 Areas of Natural Constraints scheme, it was decided to introduce changes in the scheme stocking requirement in relation to donkeys. With effect from the 2020 ANC scheme year, only 50% of an applicant's stocking density can be fulfilled using donkeys and the balance must be fulfilled using other eligible animals. This change was...