Wednesday, 5 Nov 2014

Written Answers Nos. 92-97

Beef Industry

Questions (92)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

92. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that his Department does not know the ultimate beneficial ownership of many, if not all, beef processing plants licensed to operate here and is not concerned to know; in view of this if he will report on how, ultimately, the regulations affecting those plants are enforceable; where there are breaches, if he will indicate where penalties are applied; if there is a real risk to the operation of market forces where plants, seemingly in competition, are in fact collaborating because they are in common, concealed, ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42328/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As I stated in my replies given on 18 September and 15th October, the ownership of each beef processing plant is a commercial matter for individuals or companies who wish to invest in the industry. Currently there are 32 beef slaughtering plants approved to export from Ireland to local, EU and third country markets and over 195 local authority approved plants that may export locally or to the EU. The details (names/addresses etc) of all of the approved plants are on the websites of my Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

Prices are a function of the market conditions that prevail at a given time. I cannot set the price of beef and neither can any other Minister for agriculture in the EU. There is no evidence whatsoever that department policy or practice contributes to price fixing or cartel practices. Indeed my Department publishes prices for each factory on a weekly basis and last month launched a Beef Pricewatch app, available on phones and other smart devices to increase transparency in relation to beef prices.

With regard to any suspected manipulation of the market, I would again ask the Deputy to bring forward any information or evidence she has in this regard to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission which has been formed through the merger of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority. The Commission is an independent statutory body that inter alia enforces Irish and European competition law in Ireland. It does this by taking action against anti-competitive practices (e.g. price-fixing) and by blocking anti-competitive business mergers. The Commission also has a role in promoting competition in the economy by identifying legislative restrictions on competition, advising the Government on the implications for competition of proposed legislation, and by providing general information about competition issues.

Single Payment Scheme Eligibility

Questions (93)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

93. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a 2014 satellite inspection in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42335/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas scheme application on 17 April 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The EU Regulations also require that where it is not possible to make an accurate determination on the eligibility of a parcel or parcels of land by means of an assessment of the available satellite imagery, a field inspection must be undertaken to verify the eligibility of the land.

The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. Initial processing of this inspection identified a requirement to verify the eligibility of land declared by means of a field inspection.

On completion of this inspection the results will be finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (94)

Pat Breen

Question:

94. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area scheme 2014 payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42374/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2014. However, payment has not yet issued as, at this stage, the holding of the person named has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements for 2014. Under 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year.

While the holding of the person named has been confirmed as having satisfied the seven month retention period, it has not as yet satisfied the annual average requirement. Immediately the holding concerned is confirmed as having met these requirements, the case will be further processed with a view to payment issuing to the person named at the earliest possible date thereafter, provided all other Scheme requirements have been satisfied.

Animal Welfare

Questions (95)

John O'Mahony

Question:

95. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person has been convicted or fined for cruelty to animals, the procedures in place to ensure this person cannot keep animals again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42410/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Section 58 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 contains provisions on disqualification following conviction of an offence under certain sections of the Act. Under this section, a Court may, in addition to any other penalty imposed, disqualify a person from keeping, dealing with or making a living from animals either generally or animals of a particular class or description. This exclusion may be for a period, including the life of a person, as the Court deems appropriate.

In addition, Section 61 of the Act allows a wide range of public authorities to seek a Court order relating to the management of animals and limiting the number of animals that may be kept by persons who the Court considers incapable of taking care of animals be it for health or other reasons. I am aware of a recent case where a person purporting to offer an animal rescue service was convicted of cruelty to animals. While the offences in this instance predated the coming into operation of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which came into operation on 6 March 2014, the change in the law will in the future make it easier for the Courts to issue disqualification orders in appropriate circumstances.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (96)

Billy Timmins

Question:

96. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a list of applicants for positions on boards of State bodies in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42454/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Since May 2011, a notification has been placed on my Department’s website inviting expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. Persons expressing an interest in being appointed to such positions are considered in the normal appointments process. Applicants may express interest in more than one board and all expressions of interest lapse at the end of each calendar year. To date in 2014 my Department has received 96 expressions of interest.

In making any board appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant mix of knowledge and expertise to contribute to the relevant board.

In the case of the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board, Bord Bia, Teagasc, National Milk Agency, Veterinary Council of Ireland and Horse Racing Ireland board appointments, while made by me, are not at my sole discretion in that individuals are nominated for appointment by me as specified in the relevant statute.

In line with the Government decision of 30 September 2014 my Department will be implementing the revised arrangements for appointments to State Boards.

Defence Forces Personnel Data

Questions (97)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

97. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the number of doctors employed in the Defence Forces. [42395/14]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

I am advised by the Military Authorities that as of 31 October 2014 there are 21 doctors employed as Medical Officers in the Defence Forces. The current establishment figure for Medical Officers qualified as doctors in the Defence Forces is 25. There is an ongoing recruitment effort to fill vacancies in the Defence Forces and to date in 2014, three doctors have been appointed as Medical Officers.