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Wednesday, 12 Mar 2014

Written Answers Nos. 167-173

Fishing Vessel Licences

Questions (167)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

167. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to re-open applications for potting licences for the purpose of lobster fishing; if there is a scheme were unused licences could be transferred to another boat owner who is not related to the current licence holder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12318/14]

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Written answers

A 'Scheme for the Licensing of Traditional Pot Fishing Boats in the Irish Inshore Fleet' was introduced in 2003 with a closing date of 18 June 2003, following approval from the European Commission, in order to regularise the position of a substantial number of under 12 metre vessels engaged in commercial fishing by means of pots. These vessels had been in the fleet but, for various reasons, had not been formally licensed or registered. Implementation of this scheme was completed in August 2006 because of an obligation imposed by the European Commission on Ireland to complete the licensing and registration of eligible vessels under the scheme at the earliest possible date, as part of a process of finalising the fishing fleet capacity limits of all Member States. Ireland received a credit of 1,239 gross tonnes and 15,955 kilowatts in its reference level (i.e. fleet capacity ceiling) in respect of these vessels. The scheme is now closed.

There were a number of necessary conditions attached to licensing of vessels in the Polyvalent Potting sub-segment of the fleet. Vessels may only target non-quota species and exclusively by means of pots. Neither the boat's capacity nor its licence may be traded on or otherwise transferred, except to an immediate family member (i.e. father, mother, brother, sister, spouse or child). A licence is permanently lost to the holder once the potting vessel is removed from the Fishing Boat Register. The loss can only be avoided if a replacement vessel is proposed in advance of the existing potting vessel being removed from the Fishing Boat Register. While this has given rise over time to some unused capacity, it is small amount. I have no plans at this time to make this capacity available to additional vessels. The general position is that most inshore stocks are under significant pressure and most commentary on the inshore sector is looking for a decrease rather than an increase in fishing effort. However, I will consider it in the context of the action plan for small scale coastal fishing vessels required as part of the preparation of the Operational Programme for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

In the meantime, any new applications for potting licences are subject to standard licensing conditions under current licensing policy, including the requirement for the provision of replacement capacity. A Polyvalent General licence is required by new applicants to fish by means of pots but such licences are not restricted to fishing by means of pots only.

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Questions (168)

Noel Coonan

Question:

168. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2013 single farm payment will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12319/14]

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Written answers

As indicated in a previous reply to the Deputy, my Department was reviewing an appeal from the person named regarding the late submission of his 2013 Single Payment application. That review was recently completed. My Department has now accepted the 2013 application of the person named and I expect that payment will issue in the coming days.

Single Payment Scheme Appeals

Questions (169)

Noel Coonan

Question:

169. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12328/14]

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Written answers

A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that several of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. As the person named has applied for a review of my Department's decision, a visit by a Department official to verify the position is necessary to resolve the matter. This verification visit will be conducted shortly and the applicant will be informed of the outcome of the visit as soon as is possible.

Beef Industry

Questions (170)

John Browne

Question:

170. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that have been taken in 2013 and will be taken in 2014 by his Department to support and encourage breeders of Kerry cattle to secure the survival of the breed, which is under threat of extinction due to declining numbers of pedigree cows and cross-breeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12331/14]

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Written answers

My Department is aware of the importance of conserving and maintaining the genetic resources which are native to Ireland and as a result has put in place a number of measures to assist the keepers of rare and native breeds, including Kerry Cattle.

My Department has given support to breeders of these breeds through a range of different schemes. The main support mechanism in 2013 and 2014 for keepers of rare and native breeds is the rare breeds option under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme and the Agricultural Environment Options Scheme involving a payment of €200/livestock unit. My Department is currently preparing a new agri-environmental scheme as part of the Rural Development Programme which will commence in 2015.

In addition, under the Kerry Calf Grant Scheme, a payment per live calf is payable to keepers of Kerry Cattle (€66.18 in 2013). The Kerry Cattle breed is the sole recipient of a grant of this nature at present. Furthermore, under the Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Grant Scheme a total of €70,303 was provided between the years 1997 to 2012 for various research projects in relation to the conservation of the Kerry cattle breed.

The following table details the years and amounts of funding to the Kerry Cattle Society under Genetic Resources Grant Aid Scheme:

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2008

2009

2012

€6,984

€3,174

€10,158

€1,270

€4,444

€13,736

€7,500

€1,000

€2,705

€1,458

€4,674

€5,000

€8,200

Departmental Functions

Questions (171)

Noel Harrington

Question:

171. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide to an applicant a tracking service for all applications to his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department from members of the public for such items as farm payments, forestry grants, licences and grants in the food and marine sector and other applications processed by his Department similar to the passport applications tracking scheme processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12355/14]

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Written answers

My Department is constantly examining ways of improving service to our customers. In this regard my Department's online application facility for certain payments has been developed over the last number of years to incorporate new features including a tracking system for certain elements of applications for the Single Farm Payment. My Department will continue to build on and enhance existing systems with a view to facilitating the provision of the most up to date information to clients.

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (172)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

172. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times he and officials in his Department have met a company (details supplied) or its representatives since he took office; if he will provide details, in tabular form, of the dates of each meeting; the names of the company representatives involved; the titles of the departmental officials involved; the reason for each meeting; the matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12366/14]

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Written answers

Neither I nor my Department's officials have had any meetings with the named company or their representatives.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (173)

Michael McNamara

Question:

173. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the 25% of the agri-environment options scheme payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12380/14]

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Written answers

Final prepayment checks are currently being carried out for AEOS 1 and AEOS 2 participants who have received 75% of their 2013 payment. The balancing payments due will commence issuing this week. The checking process for the AEOS 3 Scheme is well under way and I expect payments to commence shortly, with a 75% payment issuing first and the balancing 25% payment following.

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