Written Answers Nos. 246-258
246. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the kilo weight of primal cuts of beef that were imported to Ireland from Germany in each of the years 2012 to 2015 and in the first six months of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31200/16]
View answerAccording to figures from the Central Statistics Office the following volumes, in tonnes, of primal cuts of beef were imported from Germany in the years referred to by the Deputy:
- 2012: 461 (all bovine meat categories)
- 2013: 310 (total volume of bovine meat minus offal)
- 2014: 295 (total volume of bovine meat minus offal)
- 2015: 247 (total volume of bovine meat minus offal)
- 2016 (to end June): 127 (total volume of bovine meat minus offal)
It should be noted that Ireland is a significant net exporter of beef to Germany, and the comparable figures for export are as follows;
- 2012: 9,794 (all bovine meat categories)
- 2013: 11,078 (total volume of bovine meat minus offal)
- 2014: 14,072 (total volume of bovine meat minus offal)
- 2015: 11,514 (total volume of bovine meat minus offal)
- 2016 (to end June): 6,790.
247. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will receive a 2015 disadvantaged payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31228/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2016 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme application on 5 May 2016. 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 processed 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.
Payment due under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on 2 November 2015.
248. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide further information on the structural requirements for boats from Ireland transporting live exports through the Bay of Biscay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31229/16]
View answerIreland has a comprehensive legislative framework in place set out in the Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016 (S.I. 356 of 2016) which requires that vessels authorised for the carriage of livestock by sea are designed and fitted out in a manner which ensures the highest animal health and welfare standards. The standards provided for in Irish legislation in relation to the approval of ships for livestock transport are higher than those which apply in other EU Member States and are recognised by the EU Commission as being amongst the most effective and stringent legislation in force as regards the transport of animals by sea.
The structural requirements are set out in the Regulations under Schedule 1 (Specifications and Equipment for Vessels). The specifications are designed to ensure that the structure of the vessel is sturdy enough to withstand oceanic forces encountered while voyaging and the vessel must meet the stability requirements outlined in the schedule. The schedule also sets out requirements for the internal divisions and structures on individual decks carrying livestock which must be of prescribed strength and be of material capable of protecting livestock from injury and exposure to weather and sea. Additionally drainage, fresh water provision and the design of pens and passageways must be capable of meeting the animals physiological needs whilst also allowing access to individual animals at all times. Different structural requirements apply depending on the type, class and size of animal transported and also depending on the ultimate destination and the length of journey to the destination.
The rules set out in the Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016 also provide for the inspection and approval of livestock vessels which comply with specified criteria, the loading and care of livestock on vessels, conditions in relation to weather and the submission of voyage reports. Detailed inspections by both an independent Marine Surveyor and a Department Veterinary Inspector are required before approval is given to ships transporting animals.
249. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when decisions are expected to be issued on applications lodged under tranche 3 of TAMS 2; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that dairy farmers will be subjected to a very short timeline in which to complete necessary works to milking parlours and associated machinery in advance of calving if decisions are not returned as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31244/16]
View answerThere were 284 applications submitted for the Dairy Equipment Scheme under Tranche 3 of TAMS II. In all across the six schemes of TAMS II 1, 999 applications were received by the closing date of the Tranche on 24 June 2016.
All applications received in a given tranche have to be checked to ensure that all administrative issues are in order. Once this process is complete a ranking and selection is carried out and all eligible applications within the available tranche budget are sent to the local office for final technical appraisal before approvals issue. It should be noted that the submission of an application to the TAMS II scheme does not mean automatic approval. This process is underway for the Dairy Equipment Scheme applications received in Tranche 3.
250. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown between current and capital expenditure allocated for all State agencies and bodies under his aegis for 2016 and 2017, including Bord Bia, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the National Milk Agency, Teagasc and the Marine Institute, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31274/16]
View answerThe estimated allocation for 2017 will not be available until the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) is published later this year.
The National Milk Agency is not in receipt of any funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
|
- |
- |
2016 |
- |
- |
|
Subhead |
Agency |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
A.5 |
Teagasc |
113,880 |
2,400 |
116,280 |
|
A.6 |
Bord Bia |
32,492 |
0 |
32,492 |
|
A.7 |
Marine Institute |
19,309 |
10,000 |
29,309 |
|
A.8 |
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
27,930 |
11,750 |
39,680 |
|
C.8 |
Sea Fisheries Protection Agency |
11,460 |
1,000 |
12,460 |
|
A.11 |
Horse and Greyhound Racing Board |
64,556 |
9,444 |
74,000 |
|
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
49,800 |
9,400 |
59,200 |
|
|
Greyhound Racing Board |
14,756 |
44 |
14,800 |
251. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of additional staff to be taken on in his Department and in all individual State agencies and bodies under his aegis in 2017; the total cost of hiring additional staff in his Department and in each individual State agency and body, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31275/16]
View answerMy Department avails of ongoing workforce planning processes to identify the critical resource needs required to deliver our business goals. Due to the diverse nature of our responsibilities, my Department requires a broad range of professional, technical and administrative skills and experience to ensure continued delivery of the high quality service we provide. By the end of 2017, my Department expects to have a staffing level of around 3200 staff, an increase of approximately 160 staff on current levels with an estimated additional cost of €6 million.
It is a matter for each of the Agencies under the remit of my Department to provide you with data relating to their projected staffing levels for 2017.
252. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of his previous statements where he indicated his wish to bring forward primary legislation to a scheme that implements the EU fishing points system for licenceholders, if he will provide an update on this; the engagement he has had with fishing producer organisations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31276/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that Statutory Instrument No. 125 of 2016 - European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2016 – implements the required EU points system, which applies to the Licence Holder of a sea-fishing boat when a serious infringement of the Common Fisheries Policy is detected within the Exclusive Fishery Limits of the State or for an Irish vessel, wherever it may be.
On taking office, I requested and received advice from the Attorney General on meeting the commitment in the Programme for Partnership Government pertaining to the assignment of points following the completion of the prosecution process, while ensuring that Ireland is fully in compliance with its obligations under EU law.
As I have advised the House previously, moving on the introduction of a system for the sequential application for EU points in conjunction with the prosecution process is subject to addressing some important legal and administrative issues in order to ensure compliance with EU law. I have sought further legal advices from the Attorney General on the issues arising and my officials continue to liaise intensively with both the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Justice and Equality. I intend to report back to the Oireachtas as soon as a way forward has been finalised in the context of dealing with the relevant legal and administrative matters.
I have met with representatives of the fishing industry on various occasions since taking office, most recently earlier this month to discuss a wide range of issues including their concerns in relation to the implementation of the EU Points System and I have updated them on this matter.
253. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide requested details (details supplied) regarding greyhounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31313/16]
View answerBord na gCon is a commercial State body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry.
The details requested by the Deputy are an operational matter for Bord na gCon.
254. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the situation facing farmers who were unable to empty slurry tanks due to wet ground conditions in advance of the 15 October nitrates directive deadline; if he will liaise with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to ensure that flexibility is shown to affected farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31315/16]
View answerThe Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations 2014 give legal effect in Ireland to the Nitrates Directive and to our Nitrates Action Programme.
The Directive requires all member states to define set periods when the land application of fertiliser is not allowed. Data from the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP) operated by Teagasc support the current closed periods in Ireland. A key message from the research is that the majority of nutrient loss from agriculture to water occurs during the closed period.
The Department of Housing Planning Community and Local Government will shortly commence negotiations with the European Commission on a new Nitrates Action Programme and an associated derogation. This will be done in close conjunction with my Department and it will be important to demonstrate that the current arrangements are sustainable in Ireland. Agreeing a new NAP before the end of 2017, and maintaining the derogation (which is currently availed of by almost. 7,000 farmers), is an important aspect of sustaining balanced growth in the rural economy.
There are no proposals at present for any variation to the terms of the NAP, but where there is a risk to animal welfare due to circumstances outside the farmer's control, such as flooding of tanks, farmers are invited to contact the Nitrates section of my Department at 053 916344.
255. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Irish Harness Racing Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31324/16]
View answerAs I stated in my previous reply, the Irish Harness Racing Association (IHRA) are beneficiaries, for the first time, of an Equine Infrastructure grant scheme operated by my Department. The IHRA has been approved for grants totalling €21,704 under this scheme, with a view to supporting this sector in a targeted way.
The tender for an independent evaluator to complete an economic evaluation of the potential of the Harness Racing sector in Ireland, is now well advanced and it is hoped that an evaluator will have been appointed by early December.
As I stated previously, on publication of this economic evaluation, I will consider the request for funding for this sector. Until that time, no further funding requests can be considered.
256. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for an aquaculture licence in respect of a proposed oyster farm (details supplied); if he will request a tax clearance certificate from the applicant and licence holder as is applicable; if he will consider making the potential granting of any such licence subject to the condition that the holder, or their assignee, produces current tax clearance certificates on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31328/16]
View answer257. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for an aquaculture licence in respect of a proposed oyster farm (details supplied), considering that the application was submitted and validated over four years ago; if he will exercise his power to request that the applicant furnishes information which may be reasonably required to verify any particulars or information formerly given by the applicant in relation to the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31329/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together.
Applications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation.
The application referred to by the Deputy is located in Kincasslagh Bay which is designated in the Gweedore Bay and Islands Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive (Natura 2000 site).
All applications in ‘Natura’ areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Habitats and/or Birds Directives. An Appropriate Assessment was carried out by the Marine Institute in respect of Gweedore Bay and Islands Special Area of Conservation and published in February 2016. Much of the processing of the aquaculture licence application referred to could only commence on foot of the findings of the Appropriate Assessment.
The licence application is under active consideration by my Department as part of the statutory process and it would, therefore, not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this time.
258. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to expedite the disadvantaged area payments due to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31365/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2016 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints scheme's application on 11 May 2016. 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.
