Written Answers Nos. 103-109
103. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to engage with the EU Commission to have current failures in the Common Market surrounding the export of live cattle to Northern Ireland and Britain addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46719/14]
View answerUnder the rules governing the free movement of goods and services within the EU, all Irish beef producers have ready, unimpeded and equal access to all EU Member State markets without restriction. Articles 34 to 36 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union prohibit Member States from maintaining or imposing barriers on intra-EU trade in goods. These provisions give rise to the principle of mutual recognition whereby each Member State is obliged to accept onto its market products which are legally manufactured or marketed in another Member State. My Department attaches considerable importance to the live export trade and, over the years, has been very active in facilitating both the cross border live trade and shipments abroad. Live exports serve a dual purpose as a means of satisfying market demands for live animals and providing alternative market outlets for farmers. Total live exports to the end of November this year stand at almost 225,000 head of which 65,000 went to the UK, an increase of some 5,000 head or 8% up on the comparable period in 2013. Of this 65,000, nearly 49,000 went to Northern Ireland which is down only 2.4% on the same period in 2013. Live exports to Great Britain are up nearly 63% on last year. This does not suggest any failure in the common market.
The potential to grow the live trade to the UK even further is constrained by the buying specifications operated by the British retail chains in relation to cattle born in this country and exported live for finishing and processing in that market. The retailers’ longstanding policy is to market British and Irish beef separately. This means that beef must be sourced from animals originating in one country or the other; i.e. born, reared and slaughtered in the same country. In addition, logistical difficulties can arise when a small number of Irish-born animals are slaughtered in a UK meat plant. Under mandatory EU labelling rules, these carcasses have to be deboned in a separate batch, packaged and labelled accordingly, thereby incurring additional costs for the processor. These issues are a matter of commercial preference, both of slaughter plants in the UK and Northern Ireland, and of UK retailers. Decisions by processors and retailers in other member states in relation to purchasing policy are matters of commercial preference.
While Bord Bia has repeatedly raised this issue with British retailers over the years, they are unlikely to reverse their marketing policy in the short term and are currently under pressure to stock more British beef. Nevertheless Bord Bia, in its ongoing interactions with British customers, will continue to pursue all opportunities to maximise the full potential of the beef and livestock trade with our largest trading partner. In addition, Bord Bia actively supports the development of the live export trade through the provision of market information, developing market access and promotional activity.
I have also had several meetings with my Northern counterpart, Minister Michelle O’Neill, on this subject. We agreed to make a joint approach to the three British retailers who stock Irish Beef, accepting that these were commercial matters, but also seeking some flexibility given that this beef is produced to the exacting standards required by British consumers. Following on from this, I convened a meeting with Minister O’Neill and the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium which took place in October. At this meeting the NIRC made it clear that their beef buyers had a preference for single origin beef, of which they had ample supply, but they would keep the situation under review. I also met separately with Tesco where we had a useful and frank discussion on this and other procurement issues. I will continue to pursue opportunities for exports of beef and live cattle at every opportunity.
104. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications currently with his Department for the licensing of ships for the live export of cattle; when each application was submitted; when it is expected a decision will be made on each application; if his Department has received further enquiries regarding the licensing of vessels; the additional steps he is taking to promote live exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46720/14]
View answerThere are currently two applications for dedicated vessels (received in June and July respectively, of this year) being processed by my Department for the carriage of livestock from Irish ports. Both vessels have been inspected by an Independent Marine Surveyor and a Department Veterinary Inspector and detailed reports have issued to the owner/applicants detailing certain modifications required to be made to the vessels. Approval of both vessels is subject to the outcome of further inspections by both the Marine Surveyor and my Department. Several enquiries were received by my Department over recent months seeking information on the procedures involved for approval of livestock vessels for carriage of livestock from Ireland. However no applications ensued.
The live export trade provides alternative and important market outlets for certain categories of livestock, thereby serving a market demand and providing increased competition in the market place for cattle and I will continue to work with all those involved to facilitate this trade. To date, this year, six voyages have taken place involving two ships taking cattle to Libya. In an effort to further promote live exports, certificates have also been agreed with Egypt for fattening cattle and slaughter cattle, leaving the way open for commercial transactions to take place.
105. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 25 November 2014, if he will clarify the impression that the Defence Forces are considering sending soldiers to Afghanistan after 31 December 2014 and that those Defence Forces personnel will be directly involved in training Afghan soldiers, in view of such an exercise being inappropriate for Irish personnel to be involved with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46530/14]
View answerIreland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan since 5 July 2002. Seven members of the Permanent Defence Force are currently serving in the mission headquarters in Kabul.
The ISAF mission is due to conclude and withdraw from Afghanistan on 31 December 2014, whereupon the Afghan National Security Forces will take over full responsibility for security within Afghanistan.
NATO will lead a follow on training support operation in Afghanistan called Resolute Support Mission with effect from 01 January 2015. The NATO-led follow-on mission post-December 2014 is a training support mission designed to support and develop the capacity of the Afghan National Defence Forces so as they can ensure the security of the Afghan population and its national governmental institutions following the withdrawal of ISAF.
The question of Ireland contributing to the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan is currently under consideration and I propose to bring proposals to the Government in this regard shortly.
Should the Government decide that the Defence Forces will participate in this mission, the personnel will be deployed to the staff appointments in the Resolute Support Mission Headquarters in Kabul.
106. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence when the White Paper is due; and his views on a merger of the coast guard and customs maritime sections with the Naval Service. [46532/14]
View answerThe preparation of a new White Paper on Defence is one of my key priorities and I am determined to ensure that the new White Paper fully addresses the defence response to future security challenges in a comprehensive way. I anticipate receipt of an initial draft of the White Paper by the end of this year. The final draft of the White Paper will be fully considered by Government in due course.
The White Paper process underway was intended to provide an opportunity to examine critically future demands and consider how we might best meet associated operational requirements. I am conscious that many of the day to day services delivered by Defence are cross-cutting in nature and I believe that Defence resources and expertise should be leveraged to maximum effect for the benefit of the State. In this context, there are opportunities to consider new and innovative approaches to the delivery of a range of important services. Working groups comprising civil and military representatives from the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are considering likely future operational demands and the types of defence capabilities required to meet these demands.
In the course of their deliberations, the Working Groups are taking into consideration the inputs received from a wide variety of stakeholders. Discussions have also been held with a range of Government Departments on cross-cutting policy issues and likely future demands from Government bodies and State agencies. These discussions are continuing, as required, throughout the White Paper process. The Deputy will appreciate that I do not wish to second guess any recommendations that may arise from the White Paper process by commenting on specific issues at this point.
107. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence his plans to introduce a regular path to becoming a commissioned officer in view of the numbers of highly trained NCOs and skilled tradesmen; his views on whether it would make sense to select the best and keep these skills and motivate people to progress within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46533/14]
View answerIn its recently published third report, the Independent Monitoring Group (IMG) has recommended that the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces review the opportunities available to Enlisted Personnel to become Officers. Progressing this recommendation will necessarily involve a review of the terms and conditions that have applied when providing opportunities to Enlisted Personnel to become Officers and looking at the policy around the frequency of such opportunities. Arising from the IMG report an Implementation Group has been established to progress the implementation of the recommendations arising from that report. In this context a Working Group is to be established to review the terms and conditions and other related matters around providing opportunities for Enlisted Personnel to become Officers. This work will commence in early 2015 and the outcome will inform policy on Commissioning from the Ranks into the future.
108. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence if professional servicemen who have passed all medical and physical tests required of them are going to be retired under the post-1994 contact, and when a definitive response will be provided to them. [46534/14]
View answer109. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence if he will take steps to critically examine and review the service history of all those personnel that are about to be discharged under the post-1994 contract with a view to seeing what internal Defence Forces courses could be offered to upskill these personnel prior to leaving. [46535/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos .108 and 109 together.
As I have outlined previously to the House, a claim has been received from the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) in relation to this matter and it is being dealt with under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force.
Discussions have been taking place with the Representative Association, with regards to their claim, under a special Subcommittee of Conciliation Council. As discussions under the Scheme are confidential to the parties involved, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the matter at this time, other than to emphasise that in dealing with this issue the manpower and operational needs of the Defence Forces must be the primary consideration.
As Military life places unique physical and psychological demands on individuals it is necessary that its members be physically and mentally prepared to meet the challenges of all military operations and to undertake their duties on deployment overseas. It is vital the age and health profile of personnel be such as to ensure that operational capability and effectiveness are not compromised. As such, in order to maintain the age profile of the PDF to carry out the operational tasks required by Government, it is necessary to have a constant input of recruits into the PDF. The maximum age for personnel who have enlisted in the PDF post 1 January 1994 provides the mechanism through which a satisfactory age profile can be achieved.
However, while there was significant progress made in discussions between PDFORRA and Civil and Military Management it was not possible to reach full agreement. As a result, the issue is being referred to third party adjudication for a ruling. It is expected that the adjudication hearing will take place as soon as possible following the exchange of submissions between the parties.
In the meantime work is continuing on exit support measures to support those due to be discharged. A number of military courses, and other skills courses are already accredited with various Third Level Institutions and Professional Bodies. In addition, a comprehensive training course to aid Transition to Civilian Life for these personnel, which involves a skills appraisal and review of a person’s service history and training already provided, is currently being piloted.
