Written Answers Nos. 152-156
152. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will respond to the Woodland League in calling for the report of the review of Coillte, initiated by the last Government in 2010, to be made public; if he will suspend the passing of the new Forestry Bill until that document is made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53331/13]
View answerAs the Deputy has indicated, a review of Coillte was undertaken on foot of a commitment in the previous Government’s Renewed Programme for Government. While significant work was undertaken in 2010 by an interdepartmental group dealing exclusively with the role, functions and operations of Coillte, the deliberations were superseded by the Government Decisions in 2012 in relation to the sale of state assets which encompasses Coillte and it is not my intention to publish the outcome of that, review.
I wish to advise that the purpose of the Forestry Bill is to reform and update the legislative framework relating to forestry in order to support the development of a modern forestry sector – it is not directly related to Coillte. The Second Stage debate on the Forestry Bill, 2013 was completed in Dáil Éireann on 27th November 2013 and the Bill was referred to the Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
153. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when area aid and single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53335/13]
View answerAn application under the 2013 Single Farm Scheme was received from the person named on 26 June 2013, which was outside the application period, thus incurring a 100% late penalty. The legal representative of the person named has written to my Department seeking a review of this penalty. An official from my Department will be in direct contact with the person named regarding this review
154. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the final deduction on a single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53343/13]
View answerThe person named submitted an application for Single Farm Payment on the 10th of May 2013. Payment issued to the nominated account of the person named on 2 December 2013.
The payment was reduced by 1.13% due to an overclaim on one of the parcels submitted by the person named. To date, no appeal has been received from the person named.
155. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of EU directives related to his Department that have yet to be transposed into Irish law despite the deadline date having passed; when it is proposed that these directives will be transposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53345/13]
View answerMy Department seeks at all times to ensure that it is fully compliant with the implementation of European Union Directives and in this regard I can confirm that there are no directives overdue for transposition.
156. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost incurred in his Department as a result of Oireachtas Members initiating legal challenges in the courts for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53647/13]
View answerMy Department has not incurred any cost of Oireachtas members initiating legal challenges in the Courts for each of the past five years.
