Written Answers Nos. 161 - 171
161. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a recent EU Commission decision to allow the merger of two Irish companies (details supplied) in view of the fact the new company will have a supply rate above the 15% threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30172/16]
View answerI am very much aware of the importance of competition in the beef and lamb sector. The relatively weak position of farmers in the supply chain is widely recognised and it is for this reason that I have proposed an amendment to the Rural Development Programme that includes support for the establishment of producer groups to improve farmers’ bargaining power in the beef sector.
It is also critically important to have a robust legal basis for the evaluation of proposals for mergers and acquisitions at corporate level. In this regard I noted the outcome of the European Commission's decision last week on this particular case. I also noted that the proposal has been analysed in accordance with the established procedure under competition law rules.
My Department wrote to the Competition and Consumer Protection Authority in relation to this matter some time ago and responded to a questionnaire from DG Competition.
Of course if evidence emergences of practices by this or any other entity, which are contrary to competition rules, the possibility of the matter being taken up with the relevant Competition Authorities remains open.
The CCPC is an independent statutory body and enquiries in relation to its views on this decision should be referred to it.
On the more general question of markets for Irish beef, my department is working with relevant state agencies, Ireland’s embassy network and authorities in third countries to broaden the range of market opportunities for Irish exporters of beef and livestock. The recent opening of the Turkish market for Irish cattle is a welcome development in this regard.
162. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the ruling announced recently from the European Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to approve a merger (details supplied); his views on competition in the various sectors concerned if this proceeds; if he has had discussions with the CCPC on the merger in this regard; if the CCPC issued an opinion on the proposed merger to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30192/16]
View answerI am very much aware of the importance of competition in the beef and lamb sector. The relatively weak position of farmers in the supply chain is widely recognised and it is for this reason that I have proposed an amendment to the Rural Development Programme that includes support for the establishment of producer groups to improve farmers’ bargaining power in the beef sector.
It is also critically important to have a robust legal basis for the evaluation of proposals for mergers and acquisitions at corporate level. In this regard I noted the outcome of the European Commission's decision last week on this particular case. I also noted that the proposal has been analysed in accordance with the established procedure under competition law rules.
My Department wrote to the Competition and Consumer Protection Authority in relation to this matter some time ago and responded to a questionnaire from DG Competition.
Of course if evidence emergences of practices by this or any other entity, which are contrary to competition rules, the possibility of the matter being taken up with the relevant Competition Authorities remains open.
The CCPC is an independent statutory body and enquiries in relation to its views on this decision should be referred to it.
On the more general question of markets for Irish beef, my department is working with relevant state agencies, Ireland’s embassy network and authorities in third countries to broaden the range of market opportunities for Irish exporters of beef and livestock. The recent opening of the Turkish market for Irish cattle is a welcome development in this regard.
163. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to deal with a genuine administrative error in an application for basic payment scheme payment by a person (details supplied) which circumstances have been outlined to his Department; if he will ensure that the appropriate payments in respect of all of the schemes are paid to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30194/16]
View answerAn application under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 25 August 2016, thus incurring 100% late penalty. My Department is currently reviewing the case following a written request from the person named. This review will be completed at the earliest possible opportunity and the applicant will be notified directly of the outcome.
164. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to expedite a basic payment scheme payment due to a person (details supplied) for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30195/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2016 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 22 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 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 as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
165. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30068/16]
View answer166. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil an bhfuil sprioc leagtha amach maidir le líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge a bheith ag obair sa Roinn de réir reachtaíochta agus an bhfuil an sprioc sin bainte amach go fóill. [30083/16]
View answer167. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil an bhfuil beartas earcaíochta faoi leith i bhfeidhm chun aon chuóta maidir le líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge, má tá a leithéid ann, a bhaint amach. [30098/16]
View answerMolaim Ceisteanna Uimh. 165 to 167, cuimsitheach, a fhreagairt le chéile.
Níl sprioc faoi leith leagtha amach ag an Roinn maidir le hearcú na ndaoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge. Mar chuid den phróiseas earcaíochta le haghaidh fostaithe nua, cuirtear san áireamh na scileanna is inniúla ar fad a bheadh riachtanach do gach post, cumas feidhmeach sa Ghaeilge ina measc. San am i láthair, fostaítear 11 ball foirne sa Roinn a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge.
Maidir leis an mbeartas earcaíochta ó thaobh na Státseirbhíse de, is ábhar don tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí é. Reáchtálann an tSeirbhís comórtais oscailte ar bhonn rialta, agus is dlúthchuid den phróiseas sin an sruth Gaeilge. Comhoibríonn an Roinn seo leis an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí chun baill foirne a aimsiú a bhfuil na cáilíochtaí cuí acu, cumas feidhmeach sa Ghaeilge ina measc.
168. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the next round of the sports capital programme will open for application; when he will allocate the next round of sports capital funding to local clubs and organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30020/16]
View answerThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the Government's primary vehicle to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment. The most recent rounds of the programme were in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
As was confirmed in this week's 2017 Estimates Statement, a new round of the Sports Capital Programme will be open for applications in January with the announcement of allocations expected later in 2017. I expect to announce more details in this regard shortly.
169. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30079/16]
View answer170. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt an bhfuil sprioc leagtha amach maidir le líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge a bheith ag obair sa Roinn de réir reachtaíochta agus an bhfuil an sprioc sin bainte amach go fóill. [30094/16]
View answer171. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt an bhfuil beartas earcaíochta faoi leith i bhfeidhm chun aon chuóta maidir le líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge, má tá a leithéid ann, a bhaint amach. [30109/16]
View answerMolaim Ceisteanna Uimh. 169 go 171, cuimsitheach, a fhreagairt le chéile.
Tá aon phost amháin i mo Roinn a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leis agus is é post an Oifigigh Ghaeilge an post sin. Tá roinnt ball foirne sa Roinn atá líofa i scríobh agus labhairt na Gaeilge laistigh den phost seo. Cuireann siad seirbhís trí Ghaeilge ar fáil ar bhonn deonach amháin.
Os rud é nach bhfuil post ar bith sa Roinn atá aitheanta ag an Roinn, seachas post an Oifigigh Ghaeilge, mar phost a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leis chun dualgais an phoist sin a urscaoileadh, ní chuireann an Roinn polasaí earcaíochta chuóta áirithe i bhfeidhm ar an líon iomlán foirne atá oilte ar an nGaeilge agus níl aon sprioc áirithe leagtha amach ag an Roinn i dtaobh an lín sin ach oiread.
