Written Answers Nos. 218-237
218. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a reply will issue in respect of a query (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28114/18]
View answerThe 2015 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application in respect of the person named was received on 29 May 2015. Following the processing of this application, small over claims were identified on the parcels claimed. This resulted in no financial impact on the herd owner's 2015 BPS payment. An official from my Department will contact the person named directly to clarify the position.
In addition, my Department has been dealing with a 2017 BPS query from the Deputy regarding the same applicant, and this process is on-going.
219. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a reply will issue in respect of a query (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28115/18]
View answerThe 2015 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application in respect of the person named was received on 06 May 2015. Following the processing of this application, small over claims were identified on the parcels claimed. This resulted in no financial impact on the herd owner's 2015 BPS payment. An official from my Department will contact the person named directly to clarify the position.
In addition, my Department has been dealing with a 2017 BPS query from the Deputy regarding the same applicant, and this process is on-going.
220. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is examining the possibility of banning fur farming here; the status of the codes of practice set out in the review report of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28132/18]
View answerMy Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals under the European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations, 2010(Statutory Instrument No 311/2010) and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Irish fur farmers are, in this regard, subject to the same animal welfare legislation as other livestock farmers.
A small number of Member States have imposed bans on fur farming, however the activity is common in many European countries.
A review of all aspects of fur farming in Ireland was commissioned in November 2011. The Terms of Reference of the Review Group were:
(i) To review fur farming in Ireland taking into account existing legislative provisions for the licensing of mink farming;
(ii) To comment on the economic benefits of the sector;
(iii) To consider the effectiveness of existing welfare controls, and
(iv) To make appropriate recommendations
The Review Group invited submissions from the public and interested parties and considered over four hundred submissions which were received.
The Group concluded that it did not find the arguments in favour of banning the farming of fur animals in Ireland compelling and recommended that instead, fur farming be allowed continue under licence and subject to official control.
On foot of the Review Group’s deliberations, my Department introduced more rigorous controls on licence holders in the areas of animal welfare, animal accommodation, security and nutrient management. Licensees are subject to regular inspections, including unannounced inspections by the Departments Veterinary officers.
The group recommended that Codes of practice be drawn up. Codes of practice were drafted in consultation with my Department's agricultural inspectors and a public consultation on them was held in 2014.
221. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections at each fur farm here in each year since 2015 to date; the number of minks killed at fur farms here in each year since 2015 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28133/18]
View answerThere are currently 3 mink fur farms operating in Ireland. Inspections of these farms relating to their licensing and to animal welfare matters are carried out by officers from my Department. Since 2015 there have been 36 inspections carried out, breakdown for each year as follows:
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
12 |
12 |
11 |
1 |
My Department does not hold records of the numbers of mink slaughtered.
222. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the efforts being made to address the issue of illegal sulky racing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28135/18]
View answerThe use of sulkies or any other horse drawn vehicles on the roads is a legitimate activity provided it is done in a safe manner giving due care and consideration to other road users and the animal's well being. However, illegal racing activities taking place on roads, involving any type of vehicle, is a matter for An Garda Síochána and the Department of Transport.
My Department's interaction with the sulky issue is focussed on animal welfare. The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides a robust and wide ranging protection for all animals. This includes horses and ponies used in road racing.
The issue of regulating the use of sulkies has been examined by my Department and the issues are complex and not always clear cut, particularly as there are a variety of horse drawn vehicles legitimately and safely used on Irish roads.
Therefore the approach being taken by my Department is to raise the awareness of the importance of good horse welfare amongst sulky participants and the owners and keepers of trotting horses. My Department has recently awarded a tender to operate an education program, that has been designed specifically for sulky drivers and trotter horse owners, in a number of locations around the country. This course will encourage participants to move away from the road racing practices to racing on tracks and to engage with the regulated sport of harness racing on tracks as operated by the Irish Harness Racing Association.
The course provider has a clear understanding of the cultural sensitivities surrounding participation in road-racing. Meeting these goals will be underpinned by the relevant experience of both the course provider and the team of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses that will be delivering the course.
The first round of the course which was undertaken in North Dublin proved very popular with participants. The next round will be run in north Cork in the coming weeks and in the midlands after that.
223. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) the steps he is taking to ensure that the Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016 are stringently enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28183/18]
View answerIn the vast majority of instances the carriage of livestock from Ireland to various destinations to date in 2018 have taken place without incident and in full compliance with the relevant requirements of the EU and national legislation.
In the case of a small number of non-compliances detected to date in 2018 in relation to transport of livestock involving truck and roll-on, roll-off ferry transport, following investigations by the Irish and/or French authorities, penalties were applied accordingly under S.I. 675 of 2006.
My Department is currently drawing up plans for the 2019 peak export period to further enhance compliance levels.
Separately, the position in respect of exports of live cattle by dedicated livestock ships is that my Department updated the existing Diseases of Animals (Carriage of Cattle by Sea) Orders, 1996 and 1998 requirements with current legislation enacted by S.I. 356 of 2016 (Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016). These regulations continue to play a critical role in safeguarding the welfare of animals transported by sea, and are unique by European Union standards.
Both I and my Department will continue to promote and maintain an environment in which live exports can take place in both an economic and sustainable manner, with due regard for the welfare of all animals exported.
224. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ban fur farming here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28366/18]
View answerThis issue was examined as apart of a review of all aspects of fur farming in Ireland, which was commissioned in November 2011. The conclusion of the group did not support a ban on fur farming.
The Terms of Reference of the Review Group were:
(i) To review fur farming in Ireland taking into account existing legislative provisions for the licensing of mink farming;
(ii) To comment on the economic benefits of the sector;
(iii) To consider the effectiveness of existing welfare controls, and
(iv) To make appropriate recommendations
The Review Group invited submissions from the public and interested parties and considered over four hundred submissions which were received.
The Group concluded that it did not find the arguments in favour of banning the farming of fur animals in Ireland compelling and recommended that instead, fur farming be allowed continue under licence and subject to official control.
On foot of the Review Group’s deliberations, my Department introduced more rigorous controls on licence holders in the areas of animal welfare, animal accommodation, security and nutrient management. Licensees are subject to regular inspections, including unannounced inspections by the Departments Veterinary officers.
A small number of Member States have imposed bans on mink farming, however the activity is common in many European countries.
225. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if rescinding the licences of the remaining fur farms (details supplied) will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28367/18]
View answerMy Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals under the European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations, 2010 (Statutory Instrument No 311/2010) and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. There are currently three operators in Ireland licensed to keep mink.
In 2011 a Review Group was established to examine all aspects of fur farming in Ireland. The Terms of Reference of the Review Group were:
(i) To review fur farming in Ireland taking into account existing legislative provisions for the licensing of mink farming
(ii) To comment on the economic benefits of the sector
(iii) To consider the effectiveness of existing welfare controls, and
(iv) To make appropriate recommendations
The Review Group invited submissions from the public and interested parties and considered over four hundred submissions which were received.
The Group concluded that it did not find the arguments in favour of banning the farming of fur animals in Ireland compelling and recommended that instead, fur farming be allowed continue under licence and subject to official control.
On foot of the Review Group’s deliberations, my Department introduced more rigorous controls on licence holders in the areas of animal welfare, animal accommodation, security and nutrient management. Licensees are subject to regular inspections, including unannounced inspections by Department officials.
In the circumstances, given the recommendations from the Review Group, I have no plans to rescind the licences concerned.
226. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if e-car charging points are provided at his Department's buildings in Dublin or in other locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28387/18]
View answerMy Department currently provides an e-car charging point and parking bay at the National Seafood Centre, Clonakilty, Co. Cork. This building is where the Department's Seafood and Marine Divisions, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and Bord Iascaigh Mhara are all co-located.
227. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeline for the opening of applications in relation to the eel fisherman hardship scheme. [28099/18]
View answerIreland’s Eel Management Plan (EMP), including the closure of commercial fishing, was approved, in 2009, by the European Commission under EU Regulation 1100/2007. Fishing for eel was by way of public licence and therefore the issue of compensation does not arise. However, I directed my officials to engage with the European Commission in relation to Ireland's proposals to fund a support scheme for former eel fishermen. The outcome of that engagement confirmed that funding for the proposed measure is not eligible for support under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. However both Minister Naughten and I have secured Exchequer funding to support the measure and our position that this does not constitute State Aid has been confirmed to the Commission. Consultation with the Revenue Commissioners is at an advanced stage. Until consultations are completed, it is not possible to elaborate on the terms and conditions for, or the prospective number of participants in, any potential support measure. Once completed it is intended to publish the relevant details in the coming weeks
228. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 184 of 20 June 2018, if Inland Fisheries Ireland has received a comprehensive report from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine regarding the farmed salmon escape from an operation at Glinsk in Mulroy Bay, County Donegal in July 2017; if Inland Fisheries Ireland is satisfied the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine has addressed all matters relating to the escape; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28124/18]
View answer229. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether it is possible the farmed salmon stock captured in the western river basin district in 2017 had the potential to originate from a jurisdiction other than that of Ireland or Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28125/18]
View answer230. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is satisfied with the relationships between Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Marine Institute in relation to the licensing and regulation of salmon farming; if he is satisfied with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's response to the discovery of farmed salmon in the western river basin district in August and September 2017; if he is satisfied that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is fully committed to a properly regulated aquaculture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28126/18]
View answer231. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if it is still possible for Inland Fisheries Ireland to provide the Marine Institute with samples of the farmed salmon stock captured in the western river basin district in 2017; the reason Inland Fisheries Ireland has to date not provided samples of same to the Marine Institute as requested; if he will request Inland Fisheries Ireland to provide samples to the Marine Institute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28127/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 228 to 231, inclusive, together.
I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that a comprehensive report in relation to the fish farm escape at Glinsk in Mulroy Bay has not yet been received.
Biological samples (tissue) of a number of the escaped farmed fish were provided by IFI to University College Cork for genetic analysis. Scale samples of these escaped farmed fish are available within IFI. I am fully satisfied with the analysis provided by IFI in relation to the farmed fish escape. IFI have advised that they are not aware of any request from the Marine Institute to provide samples of farmed salmon stocks captured in the Western River Basin district in 2017.
IFI also advise that escaped farmed salmon, particularly larger fish, have been recorded on the high seas distant from farm production units. However, in general, escapes of farmed fish are recorded and captured in proximity to the escape location. The farmed salmon recorded in the Western river basin district, in August and September 2017, were all recorded in rivers in the Ballinakill and neighbouring Bangor Fishery Districts. No escaped farmed fish were recorded in rivers to the north and south of this region and it is, therefore, highly likely that the escaped farmed fish originated in the mid-West region.
The competent authority for the licensing, regulation and development of aquaculture is the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine (DAFM). My Department has no direct role in these issues and questions regarding policy and operational issues around the licensing and regulatory regime for aquaculture are a matter for that Department.
My Department and its agency, IFI, are the competent authorities for the protection, conservation, promotion and development of the inland fisheries resource including wild salmon and trout. In that regard, IFI are the statutory scientific advisors to my Department.
From a wild fish policy perspective, my Department and IFI have consistently set out our position as regards the development of aquaculture. The policy of the Department and of IFI is to support the development of aquaculture which is environmentally sustainable and which is consistent with domestic, EU and International environmental obligations and requirements in particular the EU Habitats Directive under which wild salmon is included at Annex II.
When we are consulted on aquaculture proposals, it is this policy that guides our inputs to the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine.
For my Department and IFI, the provision of advice to ensure the protection of wild salmonid stocks from sea lice infestations emanating from fish farms, particularly in advance of the critical wild juvenile salmon migration season, has always been of paramount importance. Both I and successive Ministers in the Department have consistently expressed the wish to make progress in addressing the issues and in promoting agreement among the diverse stakeholders.
232. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the planned renewable heat incentive scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28156/18]
View answerThe Support Scheme for Renewable Heat was approved by Government in December 2017. The details of the scheme, including the tariffs that will apply, are published on my Department's website. As with all such schemes, engagement with the European Commission under EU State Aid approval processes is necessary, and my Department is engaging with the European Commission regarding approval for the scheme. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) will administer the scheme and is currently developing the detailed Terms and Conditions. An allocation of €7 million has been provided for the scheme this year. In addition, the National Development Plan sets out an indicative funding allocation of €300 million for the rollout of the scheme for the period 2018-2027.
The scheme is planned to commence operation later this year subject to State Aid approval.
233. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a person (details supplied) will receive the outcome to a SEAI appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28173/18]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Government's energy efficiency grant schemes on behalf of my Department. I have no function in relation to individual grant applications or appeals.
I am advised that the re-appeal mentioned in the Question is under review by SEAI and that correspondence is due to issue to the applicant.
234. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he plans to publish the final report of the national clean air strategy which was due to be published at the end of March 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28369/18]
View answerThe National Clean Air Strategy will provide an overarching policy framework within which clean air policies can be formulated and given effect in a manner consistent with national, EU and international policy considerations and priorities. The Strategy will address priority air pollutants in Ireland in an integrated manner, and will complement the stated objectives of the National Mitigation Plan. Comprehensive analysis of the replies received to the public consultation has been completed, and my officials have been engaging with other Departments, Agencies and stakeholders in order to complete the drafting of the Strategy. I intend to publish the strategy in the coming weeks.
235. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if e-car charging points are provided at his Department's buildings in Dublin or in other locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28390/18]
View answerCurrently, my Department has one e-car charging point at its headquarters in Dublin 2, and this is set to increase to three charging points shortly. The position at my Department's office locations will be kept under review in the light of growing demand.
236. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if upgrade works to the N4 will be carried out following the mid-term review of the capital investment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28104/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
237. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; his views on the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28250/18]
View answerFirstly, I am sorry to hear of the ill-health and ensuing difficulties of your constituent.
However, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
All grant funding available to my Department has now been allocated. The grants this year include provision for:
- An 18% increase in Restoration Improvement monies for road strengthening works;
- A 17% increase in Restoration Maintenance monies for surface dressing works;
- The introduction of a new grant for Drainage works;
- Ring fenced monies for Community Involvement Schemes.
It is a matter for each Council to determine its priorities and decide its work programme taking available grant funding and its own resources into account. In this context I continue to emphasise to local authorities the importance of prioritising roads when allocating their own resources.
