Written Answers Nos. 185-204
185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent of deer farming, domestic and-or export markets for venison; the extent to which the industry can grow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23953/18]
View answerDeer farming in Ireland is an alternative enterprise which is dependent on the dynamics of supply and demand which affect all agricultural production systems. In 1996 there were approximately 500 deer farms with 20,000 deer in Ireland, but numbers have declined sharply since that time.
Today there are only a small number of farmers in Ireland actively supplying deer for meat production, which cater primarily to specialised niche markets. The sector is reliant upon producers and companies ensuring that a market exists for their product, an objective which Bord Bia assists in by identifying and developing potential market outlets.
There was some recent growth in game (venison) market during 2016 for example with around 764 deer slaughtered for this market, but, this declined to 271 deer for 2017, with no deer slaughtered so far in 2018. Growth in the past was achieved as a result of improved distribution for game meats, especially in supermarkets. Game and exotic meats historically occupy a premium, niche segment of the meat market. Whilst there are opportunities to compete with the larger premium segment of the red meat/poultry categories, it is important to note that demand is seasonal, with the greatest concentration of retail shelf space dedicated to game in the Winter/Christmas period.
My Department has approved one factory for the slaughter of deer in Ireland, and two game handling plants. There may also be outlets for processing of venison in Local Authority approved plants, but this would be a matter for the Local Authority concerned.
In addition my Department will continue to seek out and identify viable markets for all types of meat products, including venison, and I am ready to respond as appropriate to market opportunities that could arise in the future.
186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to monitor the poultry sector, with particular reference to threats to the industry; the degree to which the potential for growth remains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23954/18]
View answerThe Poultry Sector plays an important role within the Irish agri-food sector, supporting around 6,000 jobs, most of these in rural areas.
The value of Irish poultry exports in 2017 increased by 3% to an estimated €278 million (CSO trade data), with the United Kingdom accounting for some 80% of this figure in value terms. Other EU markets now account for almost 10% of Irish exports, with France leading the way. Growth has also been seen in trade with the Scandinavian nations and Spain. Exports to third country markets now amounts to 10% of export totals, with South Africa showing the biggest growth for Irish exporters.
Irish production hit record levels in 2017, with 95.5 million birds slaughtered in export-approved plants, an increase of 3.9% compared to 2016, with most of the increase evident in broiler and duck production. Overall, Irish poultry production is forecast to remain broadly stable during 2018.
While the outlook for the poultry sector is positive, the sector continues to face challenges particularly the ongoing uncertainty around Brexit. In this context, the pursuit and development of new markets is an ongoing and central component of the strategic development of the agri-food sector, as evidenced by the market development theme of Food Wise 2025.
Avian influenza remains a threat. Following recent outbreaks in Europe, my Department continues to monitor the situation closely and engage with flock owners, with a view to remaining vigilant and implementing the necessary biosecurity measures required to safeguard Irish flocks.
The Rural Development programme 2014 – 2020 (RDP) is also providing key supports for the enhancement and the competitiveness of the poultry sector. The main areas for support in the RDP for the poultry sector include support for on-farm capital investment under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme II (TAMS II) scheme and knowledge transfer and innovation measures, aimed at underpinning farm viability, sustainability and growth through the adoption of best practice and innovative solutions.
187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the strength of the national beef, dairy and pig herds and the sheep flock; the extent to which numbers have fluctuated over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23955/18]
View answerThe CSO's June Livestock Survey includes the information below for the years 2007-2017:
|
000 head |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
Total cattle |
6,891 |
6,902 |
6,891 |
6,607 |
6,493 |
|
- of which: Dairy cows |
1,090 |
1,095 |
1,097 |
1,071 |
1,117 |
|
-of which: Other cows |
1,207 |
1,220 |
1,204 |
1,158 |
1,123 |
|
Total sheep |
5,522 |
5,061 |
4,778 |
4,745 |
4,830 |
|
of which: Ewes |
2,854 |
2,614 |
2,451 |
2,450 |
2,435 |
|
Total pigs |
1,588 |
1,462 |
1,385 |
1,516 |
1,549 |
|
of which: Female breeding pigs |
164 |
156 |
147 |
160 |
155 |
table ctd.
|
000 head |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Total cattle |
6,754 |
6,903 |
6,926 |
6,964 |
7,221 |
7,364 |
|
- of which: Dairy cows |
1,141 |
1,163 |
1,226 |
1,296 |
1,398 |
1,433 |
|
-of which: Other cows |
1,149 |
1,150 |
1,129 |
1,076 |
1,104 |
1,081 |
|
Total sheep |
5,170 |
5,007 |
5,097 |
5,139 |
5,179 |
5,197 |
|
of which: Ewes |
2,589 |
2,568 |
2,514 |
2,488 |
2,505 |
2,515 |
|
Total pigs |
1,571 |
1,553 |
1,555 |
1,537 |
1,594 |
1,557 |
|
of which: Female breeding pigs |
145 |
147 |
150 |
148 |
149 |
143 |
More detailed data from the CSO's June and December Livestock Surveys each year is available at the following link: https://www.cso.ie/en/statistics/agricultureandfishing/.
188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects the sporting horse non-thoroughbred industry to continue to prosper here into the future, notwithstanding ongoing geopolitical changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23956/18]
View answerI assume when the Deputy mentions geopolitical changes he is talking about ‘Brexit’. Brexit poses enormous challenges for the equine sector. I and my Department officials have been engaging extensively with the sector in this regard, through the Department’s Stakeholder Consultative Committee, the All-Island Civic Dialogue process and through ongoing bilateral contacts. These meetings have helped the Department to develop a comprehensive understanding of the significant potential implications of Brexit for the sector and these will be taken into consideration in the Department’s ongoing analysis of the potential negative effects.
189. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of 10 May 2018, if further details of the new model of implementation for the school milk scheme for the 2018-2019 period will be provided; the new features contained in the new model; the key differences in the way in which the new model will differ from current and previous practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23980/18]
View answerIn 2016, the EU adopted Regulations providing for a new Single School Scheme merging the existing School Milk Scheme with the existing School Fruit and Vegetables Scheme under a new legal and financial framework from the 2017/18 school year, commencing on 1 August 2017. Under this new framework, each participating Member State was required to submit to the EU Commission a six year Statement of Strategy setting out its particular objectives for the scheme for this duration. Ireland submitted its six year Statement of Strategy in July 2017. The 2018/19 school year is the second year of this strategy.
With regard to the School Milk Scheme, one of Ireland’s main objectives in the Strategy is to halt the decline in the participation rate by Irish schoolchildren in the school milk scheme, which has been declining steadily over the last number of years, and thereby contribute to the formulation of healthy eating habits and choices at an early age.
Under the new framework, which takes effect from the 2017/2018 school year, the National Dairy Council (NDC) was appointed to manage and run the School Milk Scheme on the ground at school level in Ireland.
The NDC ran a National School Milk Week in April 2018 together with a targeted publicity and early recruitment campaign for schools to sign up to the Scheme for the 2018/19 school year.
Accompanying educational measures are an essential element of the new School Scheme. Ireland has introduced new accompanying educational measures including the NDC’s Moo Crew school based programme, which provides a positive platform to educate children about dairy and the importance of dairy as part of a balanced diet. This programme includes dairy based lesson plans, DVD’s and other tailored activities for all participating school children. Additionally, fun packs for Montessori schools and specific nutrition booklets for junior and senior pupils in primary and secondary schools are distributed.
The model of delivery in the 2018/2019 School Year of the School Milk Scheme in Ireland will stay largely the same as the 2017/18 school year which was the first year of the new framework, but will include more frequent deliveries, where feasible, and a minimum of 2 weeks free milk for participating schoolchildren.
My Department will continue to work with the National Dairy Council in the 2018/19 school year to pilot additional activities under the school milk scheme.
190. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if additional supports will be introduced to improve suckler farm incomes in view of the ongoing pressures on the particular sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23985/18]
View answerExamination of appropriate measures to support all agri food sectors, including the suckler sector, is underway in my Department in preparation for the next iteration of the CAP. The measures adopted will be informed by stakeholder consultation on the needs of the sector to develop in an economically and environmentally sustainable way, as well as the available budget and structure of the new CAP when it is finalised.
Currently, the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which provides Irish beef farmers with some 300 million euro in funding over the current Rural Development Programme (RDP) period. This scheme is an agri-environmental measure to improve the environmental sustainability of the national suckler herd by increasing genetic merit within the herd.
My Department has rolled out a range of schemes as part of the 4 billion euro Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014 - 2020. In addition to the BDGP, other supports which are available for suckler farmers under Pillar II of the CAP include GLAS, ANCs and Knowledge Transfer Groups. Suckler farmers also benefit from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payments under CAP Pillar I.
I am strongly of the view that the current range of supports available to suckler farmers, together with ensuring market access to as many markets as possible, both for live animals and beef exports, are appropriate supports for the continued development of the sector. National Farm Survey data suggests that suckler farmers receive support equivalent to approximately €500 per suckler cow on average.
I will continue to argue for as strong a CAP budget as possible, post 2020. In particular, I am committed to ensuring that suckler farmers continue to receive strong support in the next CAP. My view is that such payments should support and encourage suckler farmers to make the best decisions possible to improve the profitability, and the economic and environmental efficiency, of their farming system.
191. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a review of underspend in different subheads in his Department's estimates has been completed; if such underspend will be reallocated to support suckler farm incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23988/18]
View answerMy Department’s expenditure is monitored and managed carefully on an ongoing basis throughout the year and I fully expect all the funding allocated for 2018 will be expended closely in line with the distribution across subheads and schemes as set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2018. Accordingly I don’t anticipate that funding will be available in 2018 for reallocation to further support suckler farm incomes.
The Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 is reviewed on an on-going basis to ensure that EU objectives are met and that all EU funding is fully drawn down. Expenditure on RDP schemes must be funded through the national exchequer in the first instance so clearly my Department’s Vote management and RDP monitoring are closely connected.
The latest RDP projected spend over the programme period confirms that the entire budget of some €4 billion is fully committed and expected to be spent and therefore no new schemes under the RDP can be considered at this time.
Currently, the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which provides Irish beef farmers with some €300 million in funding over the current Rural Development Programme (RDP) period. This scheme is an agri-environmental measure to improve the environmental sustainability of the national suckler herd by increasing genetic merit within the herd.
My Department has rolled out a range of relevant schemes as part of the RDP: In addition to the BDGP, other supports which are available for suckler farmers under the RDP (Pillar II of the CAP) include GLAS, ANCs and Knowledge Transfer Groups. Suckler farmers also benefit from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payments under CAP Pillar I.
I am strongly of the view that the current range of supports available to suckler farmers, together with ensuring market access to as many markets as possible, both for live animals and beef exports, are appropriate supports for the continued development of the sector. National Farm Survey data suggests that suckler farmers receive support equivalent to approximately €500 per suckler cow on average.
I will continue to argue for as strong a CAP budget as possible, post 2020. In particular, I am committed to ensuring that suckler farmers continue to receive strong support in the next CAP. My view is that such payments should support and encourage suckler farmers to make the best decisions possible to improve the profitability, and the economic and environmental efficiency, of their farming system.
192. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if correspondence from a person (details supplied) in relation to the Designated Salmonid Waters Bye-Law 2018, will be examined. [23909/18]
View answerThe correspondence referred to is a submission to the public consultation process which I invited regarding the proposed draft Designated Salmonid Waters Bye-law 2018. All submissions to the consultation process, received by the closing date of 25 May 2018, will be considered.
193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which EU salmon fishery conservation policies are achieving success as anticipated; if particular initiatives are required to reaffirm objectives previously set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23946/18]
View answerInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the State Agency statutorily responsible for the management and conservation of Ireland's Inland fisheries resources including wild Atlantic salmon. The management of inland fisheries generally is a matter of national rather than EU competence having regard to certain EU legislation, most notably the Habitats Directive under which salmon habitats are protected. IFI manages indigenous salmon stocks on an individual river basis as each of Ireland’s 147 salmon rivers (including river sections and estuaries) has its own genetically unique stock of salmon.
IFI is supported in its management role by the independent Standing Scientific Committee (SSC), comprising scientists from a range of organisations. Scientific and management assessments of each of the distinct stocks are carried out every year with IFI engaged in extensive stock monitoring which feeds into the SSC's annual reviews. The SSC uses catch returns to individual rivers (rod catch, catch and release and any commercial catch) over the previous five years to estimate the total salmon returns in each of the previous five years. The use of a five year average ensures that a good or bad year does not have a disproportionate impact on the stock assessment in any single year.
The decline in wild Atlantic Salmon is a shared international issue manifesting in rivers in all countries around the North Atlantic with scientific analysis from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) estimating that marine survival of migrating salmon has been at or below 5% in the North Atlantic for more than a decade.
Marine survival is considered to have a most significant influence on return, from far North Atlantic feeding grounds, of salmon to all rivers on Atlantic coasts. Climate change in the ocean is considered to be a major factor. There is also evidence that heavy sea-lice infestation from salmon farming has resulted in additional mortality in respect of migratory North Atlantic salmon generally. In freshwater, water quality and a range of pressures such as afforestation, drainage, effluent discharge, siltation and agricultural enrichment can all have an impact on juvenile salmon production.
The protection and conservation of salmon internationally is managed through the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) with which Ireland is aligned through the European Union. Concerted international co-operation has ensured that restrictions in Greenland and Faroese waters have been in place for a number of years via NASCO agreement. In June this year, my officials and those of IFI will join delegates from the EU, USA, Canada, Norway, the Russian Federation, Greenland and the Faroes in seeking to negotiate a continuation of restrictions in these waters.
Specifically in relation to Greenlandic waters, the majority component of the stock complex migrating to these waters originates from the North American Continent. There is no commercial harvest in Faroese waters where the migratory stock complex comprises a majority component of European river stocks including those from Ireland.
The Atlantic salmon is a protected species under the EU Habitats Directive with which Ireland’s current salmon management regime complies. In order to align fully with the Directive and the North NASCO principles, Ireland closed mixed stock fisheries at sea since 2007.
194. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the specific environmental requirements that are set down in respect of charges that may be applied by waste companies to encourage householders to divert waste from the residual or general waste bin, that is, have higher waste charges for general waste bins than recycling bins; the specific statutory basis for these requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23860/18]
View answerWaste Collection Companies are required to hold a waste collection permit in order to collect waste in line with the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007, as amended. Waste collection permits are issued by the National Waste Collection Permit Office, which is the nominated authority to issue permits on behalf of all local authorities.
Condition 6.6.26 of the permits contains the requirement for collectors to charge fees which encourage customers to segregate their waste and states:
"The permit holder shall operate an incentivised charging system to ensure that the fees charged to collect household kerbside waste, in the reasonable opinion and to the satisfaction of the nominated authority respect the polluter pays principle and incentivise the segregation of recyclables and food waste or as the case may be, bio-waste and discourage such waste from being mixed with residual household waste by the householder in accordance with the waste hierarchy and section 21A of the act.
The permit holder shall ensure that the fees charged to collect residual household waste are not a "flat rate fee" i.e. a fixed, periodic fee which covers the cost of collection over a defined period of time, regardless or the weight or residual waste presented or the number of presentation of residual waste.
Pricing structures may contain a service fee or standing charge, but shall contain a weight based/or per lift fee for the collection of residual waste. Where a service fee is applied as part of an incentivised charging system, the level of the service fee shall not negate the incentive to segregate waste to the satisfaction of the nominated authority. Where a fee is charged for the collection of recyclable, food waste and bio-waste as the case may be, that fee shall not negate the incentive to segregate waste to the satisfaction of the nominated authority and shall be lower than the fees applied for the collection of residual household waste.
Any "flat rate fees" currently in operation shall be phased out as follows:
i. New customers or renewing customers cannot be offered a flat rate fee for residual household waste from 30 September 2017;
ii. Customers who have a contract and are on a flat rate fee on 30 September 2017 cannot be offered a flat rate fee for residual household waste when they next review their contract' and
iii. Customers who are on a contract greater than 12 months on 30 September 2017 cannot remain on a flat rate fee for residual household waste collection after 30 September 2018."
195. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the options available to a person (details supplied) who has been refused broadband access by Eir; the implications of this on his Department's broadband rollout plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23917/18]
View answerAccording to my Department’s National Broadband Plan High Speed Broadband Map, available at www.broadband.gov.ie, the premises detailed by the Deputy’s has been passed by eir as part of that company’s ongoing commercial deployment of high speed broadband to 300K rural premises. A high speed broadband connection is therefore available and I understand a connection has been offered to the Deputy’s constituent by eir. I further understand that the method proposed by eir to deliver this high speed broadband connection to the premises was not accepted and as a consequence connection to the premises did not proceed. This has been confirmed following contact between an official from my Department and the Deputy’s constituent.
Decisions made by private telecommunication operators relating to the rollout and siting of infrastructure to provide high speed broadband services throughout Ireland are undertaken on a commercial basis by competing service providers operating in a liberalised market. I have no statutory role or function to intervene in the commercial decisions of private operators, and therefore cannot direct operators regarding infrastructure installation or delivery of services.
The Deputy’s constituent may be able to secure an alternative broadband connection via a fixed wireless, mobile broadband or satellite service.
196. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he plans to publish the independent review of the proposed North-South interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23944/18]
View answerThe North South Interconnector, as proposed as an overhead line, now has full planning permission in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. I have listened carefully to the issues raised in relation to this project, particularly those living in close proximity to the proposed project. In February and March 2017, two motions calling for an updated independent study into the north-south interconnector were passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. I met with the Monaghan Anti-Pylon Committee and North East Pylon Pressure Campaign, together with Oireachtas members from Cavan, Monaghan and Meath in February 2017. I subsequently met with Oireachtas members in May 2017 and most recently again in January of this year. In addition, my officials have held separate meetings with the Monaghan Anti-Pylon Committee and North East Pylon Pressure Campaign in March and April last year.
All of these engagements – together with the motions - were important in my decision to commission two independent studies into the project. The studies were designed to address the main points of the motions as well as key concerns expressed by those parties opposed to the development of an overhead line.
I have indicated previously that the Consultants undertaking the two studies have finalised their reports, that once considered in my department and submitted to me it is my intention that these will be brought to Government and made publicly available, and that this process would take some time to complete.
197. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 263 of 10 May 2018, the preparatory work being undertaken in advance of the publication of the revised text of the audiovisual media services directive; the considerations being given to the issue of co-regulation of audiovisual content on video sharing platform services; the work being carried out with an organisation (details supplied) on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23981/18]
View answerMy Department has engaged extensively with the European Commission, other Member States and key stakeholders during the negotiation of this legislative proposal. Earlier this year, my Department conducted an initial scoping consultation with key stakeholders regarding the provisions that are expected to be contained in the final text. My Department is considering the input received while also conducting a scoping exercise which includes examining existing legislation and regulatory structures. The result of this process will be used to inform its approach to a public consultation which will be conducted once the text of the revised Directive has been finalised at EU level.
This public consultation will seek to gather the views of all interested parties on how we should approach the implementation of the provisions of the revised Directive, including the required changes to the regulation of on-demand service providers in Ireland, and how we should approach the co-regulation of Audiovisual Content on Video-Sharing Platform Services.
My officials have met and engaged with the On Demand Audiovisual Services Group (ODAS) on several occasions during the past two years, given the particular impact which the provisions of the revised Directive will have on-demand service providers. It should be noted that ODAS has no role in relation to Video-Sharing Platform Services.
198. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the role of his Department in relation to the development of the European climate and energy plan. [23788/18]
View answerMy Department has the lead role in developing the National Energy and Climate Plan. The creation of a National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) is one of the key provisions of the proposed Governance of the Energy Union Regulation. The plan will include trajectories for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and national emissions, as well as the measures required to achieve these trajectories.
In October 2014 EU leaders agreed on a 2030 Framework for climate and energy, which included new EU-wide targets and policy objectives for the period between 2021 and 2030. The three targets from this framework are at least 27% share for renewable energy, at least 27% improvement in energy efficiency, and at least 40% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions (from 1990 levels). The proposed Governance of the Energy Union Regulation will underpin these commitments. The NECP will cover all five dimensions of the Energy Union, the policies and measures proposed to reach these goals and will be based on a common template to allow for comparability. The first draft is due for submission to the Commission by end 2018, with a final version due by end 2019.
It should be noted that the Governance Regulation is the subject of an ongoing trilogue process with the European Parliament which is expected to conclude later this year. Until this point is reached, the targets, policy objectives and timelines are subject to revision.
My Department is working closely with other Departments on the development of the plan through the structures that have been established to co-ordinate Government activity on climate change. There is a high-level steering committee on climate action, which I chair, and a Technical Research and Modelling group which provides expert advice and support. Relevant Departments and agencies are members of these groups.
Preparation of the plan is at an early stage but its development will be facilitated by the work already undertaken to complete the Energy White Paper, the National Mitigation Plan, and the recently published National Development Plan. The NDP in particular represents a step-change in Government commitment to climate change, with €21.8 billion in funding directed to addressing the transition to a low-carbon society over the period to 2030. This week I launched a €500 million Climate Action Fund, which is a key element of Government strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energy and enhance energy efficiency as set out in the NDP.
199. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are grants available for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23806/18]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects. These are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. While the Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in tourism, it does not have a role in the administration of Fáilte Ireland's tourism capital programmes. However, I am aware that all accommodation projects, including the renovation of private property, are currently ineligible under Fáilte Ireland's capital grants schemes.
200. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if members of an association and a company (details supplied) will be fully engaged with the external party retained by him to conduct the review of the current arrangements in place to oversee a different company's operations as recommended by the Air Accident Investigation Unit. [23839/18]
View answerThe Search and Rescue Oversight Review is being carried out by an independent team of experts whom I appointed last week. Details are available on the Department's website - www.dttas.ie. The focus is on oversight of SAR aviation operations. It is a matter for the review team to determine who they engage with.
As stated in the terms of reference, the review will consider, inter alia, the practices and procedures in place for oversight of SAR aviation operations within the IAA, as the national aviation regulator and the Irish Coast Guard, as the tasking authority for SAR aviation operations, and any other entities deemed relevant, and benchmark these in terms of their effectiveness, continuity, comprehensiveness and independence against models of best practice internationally.
201. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to immediately honour the commitment he had repeatedly given to meet with representatives of an association (details supplied) that had been seeking a meeting in relation to aviation safety matters for over a year. [23840/18]
View answerI met with the association referred to by the Deputy on 17th February 2017. A future meeting will be arranged at a time and date that is mutually convenient and appropriate.
202. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will make available the terms of reference for the forthcoming section 32 examination and contact details for the entity appointed to conduct this examination as required by law following the completion of the section 32 report by a company (details supplied). [23841/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Section 32 of the Irish Aviation Act 1993 provides for an examination of the functions of the Irish Aviation Authority in so far as they relate to the application and enforcement of technical and safety standards in relation to aircraft and air navigation. The Act requires such an examination to be carried out every 3 years. The IAA is also subject to similar, periodic examinations by the European Aviation Safety Agency and by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, as part of its international obligations.
Arrangements will be made - to include a competitive tendering process - to commence a Section 32 examination this year. The terms of reference for this examination will be published as part of a public tendering process, the outcome of which will be made known when completed.
203. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be no changes to the terms and conditions of employment for SRD workers unless agreed through engagement with workers and their representatives (details supplied). [23842/18]
View answerThe Government Decision to merge the regulatory and safety functions of the IAA’s Safety Regulation Division with the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) will be done in accordance with established practice for structural reform processes within the Irish public sector. In any such process it is well established that the terms and conditions of existing workers will be no less favourable, unless by agreement.
I am mindful of the importance of the industrial relations component involved in any transitional arrangements involving the movement of personnel from one entity to another, and I can assure the Deputy that there will be regular engagement with the affected staff and their representative bodies throughout the reform process.
204. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that the proposed new runway 10L-28R will meet all technical requirements to facilitate modern long range aircraft. [23843/18]
View answerAs the deputy is aware, daa holds statutory responsibility for the management, operation and development of Dublin Airport, including the delivery of the North Runway project.
I have been informed that North Runway will be 3,100 metres in length. It will have a Category III instrument landing system and has been designed to accommodate Code F aircraft. In this context, the daa is satisfied that the new runway will facilitate any modern long range aircraft that are expected to operate from Dublin Airport.
