Finian McGrath
Question:806. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support a proposal on vacant properties at Howth Harbour (details supplied) County Dublin. [27534/13]
View answerDepartmental Properties
Questions (806)
Written answers
Plans are well advanced to advertise, by public competitive tender, leaseholds on a small number of properties that are currently vacant in the Department’s Fishery Harbour Centres. Proposals for such properties can only be considered by way of response to the forthcoming public competitive tender processes.
Beef Technology Adoption Programme
Questions (807)
John O'Mahony
Question:807. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their BTAP payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27544/13]
View answerWritten answers
Payment in respect of satisfactory participation by the person named in the 2012 Beef Technology Adoption Programme is due to issue shortly to the nominated bank account.
Beef Technology Adoption Programme
Questions (808)
John O'Mahony
Question:808. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their BTAP payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27545/13]
View answerWritten answers
Payment in respect of satisfactory participation by the person named in the 2012 Beef Technology Adoption Programme is due to issue shortly to the nominated bank account.
Question No. 809 answered with Question No. 791.
Food Harvest 2020 Strategy
Questions (810)
Nicky McFadden
Question:810. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the Food Harvest 2020 targets, particularly in relation to export growth and dairy quotas; if the targets are on track to be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27551/13]
View answerWritten answers
I am confident that the industry developed targets set out in Food Harvest 2020 are achievable and can be met.
The main targets in the Food Harvest report are by 2020 to increase the value of Agriculture, food (including seafood) and drink exports by 42%; primary output in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector by 33% and value added production by 40%. In addition, a 50% increase in milk production and 78% increase in the volume of aquaculture production is envisaged.
Progress on these targets and the 215 recommendations in the Food Harvest report are monitored and reviewed on an ongoing basis by the Food Harvest High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC) . The HLIC, which I chair, consists of the senior officials of all state agencies involved in the agriculture, food and fisheries sector. Their 2nd report “Milestones for Success 2012, published last July, provides a detailed account of progress achieved to date on all the recommendations in FH2020 (link following).
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/agri-foodindustry/foodharvest2020/Report2012Milestonesforsucces021112.pdf
In relation to your specific query on export growth, I am pleased to have noted that by end 2012, the value of exports had increased by 12%, (2020 target 42%). With reference to your query on dairy quotas you will be aware; the volume of milk production is currently constrained by EU quotas. Significant volume increase will not take place until the EU milk quotas are abolished in 2015. In the meantime, steps are being taken at primary and commercial level, through initiatives such as the dairy efficiency programme, capital investment in processing equipment, marketing and trade promotions, to ensure that the industry can capitalise on this valuable opportunity.
Single Payment Scheme Payments
Questions (811)
Brendan Griffin
Question:811. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the remainder of a single farm payment will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27569/13]
View answerWritten answers
Having now verified the eligibility for payment under the Single Payment Scheme of a number of parcels under forestry declared on the 2012 application, a supplementary payment will issue shortly to the nominated bank of person named.
Irish Land Commission
Questions (812)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:812. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the fee simple of the pier on the river at Ashford Castle was sold when Ashford Castle, County Mayo and the rest of the property around the Castle, were transferred from a long lease to a transfer to fee simple, some time, in the 1990s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27590/13]
View answerWritten answers
The records of the former Irish Land Commission (ILC) are being examined by my Department to ascertain if the information sought is available. It would be helpful if the Deputy could supply a map identifying the pier in question as various properties in the Ashford Castle area were taken up by the former ILC on several different Estates. My Department will respond directly to the Deputy once the location of the pier has been identified and the matter researched.
EU Directives
Questions (813)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:813. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the appropriate assessment for Galway Bay, which will provide a status report on the current fishery, identify potential impacts of current fishing and aquaculture activity in Galway Bay and identify the necessary conservation measures required to ensure sustainable management of the fishery into the future, will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27592/13]
View answerWritten answers
Galway Bay is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 sites).
The European Court of Justice declared in case C418/04 that, by failing to take all the measures necessary to comply with Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43 (Habitats Directive) in respect of authorisation of aquaculture programmes, Ireland had failed to fulfil its obligations under that Directive.
In the negotiations to address the judgment a process was agreed with the European Commission which would lead to full compliance by Ireland with the relevant EU Directives. This process includes the following steps: a detailed data collection in 91 Bays/Estuaries; detailed analysis of raw data collected; setting of Conservation Objectives by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in respect of each site; carrying out Appropriate Assessments of each licence application/fishery plan against the detailed Conservation Objectives set; and determination of Licences/Fisheries on the basis of the Appropriate Assessment and other relevant factors.
My Department has been working closely with the Marine Institute, BIM, and NPWS to achieve full compliance through a multi-annual work programme
Conservation Objectives have been set for Galway Bay complex SAC and Inner Galway Bay SPA. The next step in the process is the carrying out of an Appropriate Assessment by the Marine Institute. This process has commenced and is being progressed taking account of the need to facilitate the use of scientific and other resources on a flexible basis across the full range of bays.
Every effort is being made to conclude the process having regard to all the complexities involved.
Rural Environment Protection Scheme Appeals
Questions (814)
Brendan Griffin
Question:814. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on an appeal of a penalty on a REP scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27596/13]
View answerWritten answers
The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and received payments for the first five years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. During the course of an on farm inspection on 28th July 2011, areas which were in non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme were noted and a penalty was applied in relation to non-compliance associated with the Conservation/Management practices pertaining to archaeological monuments in the agri-environmental plan of the person named.
I am advised by my Department Inspectorate that the total penalty originally imposed has been reduced by my Department Inspectorate based on the appeal submitted. On 8 May, 2013 the person named was informed in writing of my Department’s decision regarding his appeal.
Rural Development Programme Projects
Questions (815)
Brendan Griffin
Question:815. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his future plans for any new REP schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27597/13]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland has had a very successful record in the operation of agri-environment schemes since 1994, when the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme commenced, and continuing with its successor the Agri-Environment Options Schemes to the present day. I expect that this will continue. The shape and content of any such scheme will be determined in the context of the introduction of the EU regulatory framework governing the next Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
Questions (816)
Brendan Griffin
Question:816. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an agri environment option scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27604/13]
View answerWritten answers
An application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 28th November 2012.
During the pre approval validation checks on the application, it was found that person named had not selected actions which fulfilled the eligibility requirements under the Terms and Conditions of the scheme. As a result of this the application was unsuccessful. On 10th June 2013, a letter issued to the person named informing him of this and giving him the option of appeal to the Department.
Animal Identification Scheme
Questions (817)
Heather Humphreys
Question:817. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the increase in the theft of cattle in the north Monaghan area that appears to be linked to cross border criminality; his views on the effectiveness of the Cattle Movement Monitoring System in view of the dangers of stolen livestock entering the food chain; if he is satisfied that there is appropriate cross border cooperation to deal with cattle theft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27624/13]
View answerWritten answers
Any incident involving stolen cattle should be reported to the Garda Siochana in the first instance as the Gardai have primary responsibility for investigating such matters. Stolen cattle cannot be traded legally in the State as all bovines must bear official ear tags, be properly registered and be located on this Department’s Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) database in the herd of the individual moving or selling the bovine. When cattle are reported as stolen to my Department they are marked on the AIM database as being stolen on foot of a Garda report. If these animals are presented anywhere in the State for sale, slaughter or export they are checked against the database and will be rejected at these outlets and an investigation initiated.
Where necessary this Department through the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), may assist the Gardai with their investigations into cases of stolen animals and this could involve liaison with cross border colleagues. In this regard a cross border liaison Group comprising the relevant investigation bodies, including the SIU, is currently assessing the theft of animals on an all Ireland basis.
Food and Agriculture Organisation
Questions (818)
Andrew Doyle
Question:818. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding Ireland's position at the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations based in Rome, Italy, if Ireland's position as a full member of the FAO is ever different to that of the European Union, which is also a full member of the FAO, bearing in mind the fact that Ireland is a member State of the EU; the steps that will be taken within the FAO if the position of Ireland and the EU ever differs; if Ireland, as current Chair of the Council Working Group in Brussels where the EU develops common positions, is ever used for resolving differential opinions between member states and the EU; if position alignment is ever discussed at the FAO Council and the FAO Legal Committee between member states and the EU, of which Ireland is a member of both; his views on whether both a member state of the EU such as Ireland and the EU itself, both being full members of the FAO is beneficial; his views on whether both member states and the EU itself being members of the FAO could be a model to be replicated by the EU at the United Nations in New York for the the General Assembly where they do not enjoy full status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27632/13]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland, like all other EU Member States , is a full member of the FAO. Each Member State has its own individual relationship with FAO and with other Member Countries of that organization. Ireland provides bilateral aid to the FAO, as it does to the World Food Programme (WFP), another Rome-based organization of the UN.
Since the accession of the EU to the FAO in 1991, Member States have cooperated with EU officials at various FAO fora. There is a coordination group for EU Member States within the European Council structures. This allows the Member States to hear the Commission perspective and to incorporate it into their dealings with the FAO. The EU also prepares statements on behalf of all Member States in areas where the EU has specific competency (for example on agricultural or fisheries trade matters). However, just as in Brussels, Member States still have autonomy as sovereign states and the EU Council still prepares a common position through discussion at Member State level.
As in all other matters, therefore, Ireland co-operates with its fellow EU Member States and with the EU Commission to ensure that Ireland’s interests are properly represented both within the EU and at UN level. Currently, Ireland holds the rotating Presidency of the EU Council. This means that Ireland prepares the common position of all Member States and presents this position in Rome. Ireland has been very active in seeking consensus on several issues, including giving greater visibility to the need for adequate nutrition and the need for a greater strategic focus for the work of the FAO. This involves a great deal of negotiating, not just within the EU but at a global level. Ireland also has its own interests to defend in terms of how Irish contributions are spent. We also participate in a range of technical meetings in relation to animal health, plant health and food security.
The FAO is the largest specialised agency of the UN and plays a crucial role in global agricultural policy, international standardization and in the fight against climate change. Ireland has a proud record in this organization and continues to contribute to global policy via this forum. Other UN organizations have their own mechanisms and are the responsibility of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
Questions (819)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:819. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when agri-environment option scheme payments will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the amount of the penalty imposed on them; the reason for the penalties; if this was reviewed after the inspection in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27648/13]
View answerWritten answers
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st November 2010 and full payment totalling €652.08 issued in respect of 2010.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. The person named was selected for a Cross Compliance Inspection which resulted in a penalty of 3% being imposed.
This application was also selected for on farm Inspections which took place on 5th December 2011 and 4th April 2012. During these inspections non-compliances were identified in relation to the Species Rich Grassland action which resulted in a further penalty being imposed. A letter issued to the person named on the 4th April 2012 informing him of these non compliances and set out his appeal option. An appeal was received by my Department and following a review of the file, the decision was made to disallow the appeal. On 10th June 2013 a letter issued to the person named informing him of this and giving him the option of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
Question No. 820 withdrawn.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
Questions (821)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:821. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single payment and disadvantaged area payment for 2012 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27657/13]
View answerWritten answers
The person named is one of a number of applicants under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, whose case was impacted by the requirement of a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare and who applied for and was refused derogation in this regard. The person named subsequently availed of the option to appeal to the independently chaired DAS Appeals Committee; that appeal was unsuccessful. The appellant was notified accordingly by letter dated 14 March 2013.
As advised in that letter, it is now open to the person named to pursue the matter with the Office of the Ombudsman.
With regard to the outstanding inheritance issues, My Department has written to the representatives of the person named on two occasions, requesting the usual testamentary documents and bank account details, and also outlining procedures for the transfer of schemes in which the person named was involved. My Department awaits further instruction on the matter.
The representatives of the person named should continue to communicate with the Inheritance Enquiry Unit so as to progress all outstanding issues.
Contact details are as follows:
Inheritance Enquiry Unit
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Eircom Building
Knockmay Road
Portlaoise
Payments cannot be released to the estate until the outstanding documents and bank account details are provided to my department.