Written Answers Nos. 230-239
230. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the interdepartmental working group on allegations of trafficking migrant workers in the fishing industry; when he expects a report from this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39217/15]
View answer241. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on reports regarding the possible maltreatment of migrant workers in the fishing industry; the steps he is taking to ascertain if this is taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39033/15]
View answer269. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has asked An Garda Síochána to investigate disturbing allegations in a newspaper (details supplied) of abuse and maltreatment of allegedly trafficked migrant workers in the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39213/15]
View answer270. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the report in a newspaper (details supplied) that the International Transport Workers Federation has alleged that the Government is turning a blind eye to the abuse of trafficked migrant workers in the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39215/15]
View answer274. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take in response to the breach of migrant workers' rights in the fishing industry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39234/15]
View answer276. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on reports of widespread abuse of workers' rights and terms and conditions in the fishing industry; the steps he will take to deal with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39284/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 230, 241, 269, 270, 274 and 276 together.
The Government is very concerned about the allegations regarding the treatment of workers on Irish fishing trawlers. Following a decision taken at Cabinet on Tuesday 3rd November, it was decided to immediately establish an interdepartmental Task Force to examine the wide range of issues identified in the recent Guardian newspaper report and make recommendations on appropriate actions, based on a cross Governmental approach. I chaired the first meeting of the Task Force on Thursday 5th November and my colleague Minister of State, Ged Nash, from the Department of Jobs, Employment and Innovation also attended the meeting.
Due to the complex nature of the issues arising, the Task Force includes high level representatives from the Departments of Justice and Equality, Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Attorney General’s office, An Garda Síochána, BIM, the Naval Service, Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and my own Department.
In order to formulate the most appropriate and effective response, it is necessary to first establish a full understanding of the complex issues involved. At the first meeting of the Task Force, the State Authorities shared information on their individual remits and experiences and committed to producing a co-ordinated response. The meeting considered the complex issues arising from the Guardian article and among the key issues also discussed were information sharing, enforcement, permitting, licensing, exploitation, and trafficking.
As Minister with responsibility for chairing this cross Departmental Task Force, my main focus will be, to bring forward to Government a joined up State response in relation to the issues identified. Where appropriate, I consider that we need to take robust and proportionate immediate actions including any medium term changes to the regulatory and enforcement frameworks of the State.
The next meeting has been arranged for Thursday 12th November and I have invited a number of stakeholders to address the Taskforce.
232. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments under the basic payment scheme and the areas of natural constraint scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38999/15]
View answerAn application under Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes was received from the person named on 29 April 2015. Processing of the application under both Schemes is currently in progress. On completion of this process, the application will be further reviewed with a view to payment issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
233. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale and justification for the actions of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority in seizing the catches of a company (details supplied) on 10 and 30 October 2015, and in selling the confiscated catches. [39000/15]
View answer234. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the proceeds of the sale of the fish confiscated from a company (details supplied) by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority on 10 and 30 October 2015. [39001/15]
View answer235. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that a person (details supplied) has a firmly held moral objection to dumping good fish, but has logged all his catches and is so aiding the collection of scientific data regarding stocks and quotas. [39002/15]
View answer236. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to press criminal charges against a person (details supplied) following the seizure of a fish catch. [39003/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 233 to 236, inclusive, together.
All matters relating to the operational enforcement of sea fisheries law are, by Statute, matters appropriate to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). The SFPA is the independent law enforcement agency of the State for sea fisheries law.
The decision to prosecute such cases is a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
237. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive payments under the single payment scheme and the areas of natural constraint scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39008/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme application on 28 May 2015. Processing of the ANC application identified that the holding of the person named had not met the stocking requirements as per the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. An official from my Department has been in direct contact with the person named and is currently awaiting the submission of equine passports. On receipt of the outstanding documentation, the ANC application will be further processed with a view to payment at the earliest possible date.
In respect of the Basic Payment Scheme, as the person named never had any entitlements allocated to him, he therefore is not eligible for consideration under the scheme.
238. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons for the delay in granting a farm payment to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if he will process the application for payment; and expedite an early reply. [39009/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 28 April 2015. 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 application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection is currently being finalised with the intention of issuing any payments due under the Direct Payments Schemes as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
239. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the single payment scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39018/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 11 May 2015. Processing of this application has recently been completed, and payment will issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.
