Written Answers Nos. 547-568
547. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of the €39 million allocation for 2019 for the remediation of Haulbowline Island; the date in 2019 the east tip element will be completed; if this will be impacted by the cost overrun with the national children's hospital; if he has been consulted by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6786/19]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my response to his parliamentary question 6036/19 on 7 February. The 2019 allocation for the Haulbowline Island Remediation works is €2.5m. The works on the East Tip site were substantially completed during 2018 and expenditure by my Department at the end of 2018 stood at €23m. This figure is comprised of expenditure on regularising the planning and licensing requirements, engaging in preparatory works, completing necessary site investigations amongst other elements and the remediation works on the East Tip itself. The 2019 funding is being provided for residual costs including construction of the access road which is scheduled for completion by the end of April 2019.
My Department's Capital budget has not been reduced as a result of the Children's Hospital Project.
548. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of the €9 million allocation for 2019 for the national food innovation hub; the date in 2019 the project will be completed; if this will be impacted by the cost overrun with the national children's hospital; if he has been consulted by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6787/19]
View answerMy Department is providing Teagasc with €8.8m in exchequer funding on a phased basis to fund the development of a new National Food Innovation Hub at its Research Centre in Moorepark. The budget provision for 2019 is €6m. Teagasc has advised that it expects construction to be completed in September 2020 all going to plan.
The Government is committed to delivering Project Ireland 2040 within the overall multi-year resource envelope that has been set out. For 2019, the capital allocation has increased by €1,325 million or just over 22% above the 2018 allocation as stated in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2019. My Department's Capital budget for 2019 has not been affected as a result of the Children's Hospital Project.
549. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to act on the conclusions of the review of joint labour committees 2018 carried out by the Labour Court, particularly section 41A(3)(b), with regard to consideration of the making of an employment regulation order for the sector. [6799/19]
View answerThe provision in Industrial Relations legislation for the review of Joint Labour Committees is outside the remit of my Department.
However Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) a commercial State Body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry has informed me that it and the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), in conjunction with employers and representative bodies across the Horse Racing Industry commenced work on an Industry Best Practice Employment Guide in late 2017.
This body of work is currently being consolidated by HRI and the WRC into a draft guide for review by the HRI Board and the representative bodies.
550. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of progress to facilitate exports of beef to Iran; if he has considered the impact the reopening of the embassy in Tehran would have on agrifood exports to Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6810/19]
View answerTotal Irish agri-food exports to Iran in 2017 were around €11.5 million according to the CSO. The majority of this, some €10.25 million, was accounted for by dairy exports.
A veterinary health certificate for the export of beef from Ireland to Iran was agreed in March 2013. However, no exports have occurred yet, due to unfavourable trading conditions, cheaper Brazilian supplies of beef to Iran, and financial barriers. Work is on-going within the EU to devise measures to overcome these financial barriers.
The location of Irish Embassies abroad is a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade in the first instance, and these locations are then approved by the Government as a whole. Ireland continues to have full diplomatic relations with Iran, and the Irish Ambassador in Ankara represents Ireland in Iran on a non-resident basis.
The role of my Department is to open up markets for the industry and it is then up to the industry, with the support of my Department and Bord Bia, to avail of these opportunities. However, the actual levels of exports will depend on a range of factors, including global supply and demand dynamics, currency fluctuations and individual customer requirements.
551. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6816/19]
View answerThe person named is fully up to date with all GLAS payments.
552. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the situation regarding young farmers who are in a farming partnership will be clarified regarding their eligibility to apply for entitlements on an annual basis from the national reserve in cases in which the young farmers have their own herd number with an off-farm income which is less than €40,000 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6842/19]
View answerThe Terms and Conditions of the National Reserve set out details of the determination of off-farm income for applicants farming as part of a Registered Farm Partnership. Under such applications it is the off-farm income of all participants on the herd number to which the young farmer(s) is associated that is considered in determining off-farm income.
With regard to the case on which details have been provided, an application to the 2018 National Reserve was submitted to my Department on 8th May 2018. This application was unsuccessful and the applicants were notified of the outcome in writing on 24th January 2019 and offered an opportunity to submit an appeal of the decision.
The appeal now submitted by the Agricultural Consultant acting on behalf of the applicants in this case will be processed. Once the appeal has been finalised the applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome.
553. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reopen and review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6930/19]
View answerI can confirm that the individual in question retired from my Department in January, 2006 and later on in 2006 made an application to the High Court on two separate courses of action.
I understand that these proceedings were struck out by the High Court in March 2013 due to the lengthy delay in initiating proceedings and failure to abide by Court deadlines.
Under the circumstances, I do not intend to re-examine these matters.
554. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for improving and extending Killybegs Harbour, County Donegal; the timeline for the tendering of this project; the timeframe for the complete delivery of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6938/19]
View answerMy Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board piers, lights and Beacons Act.
Between the years 2010 to 2018, as part of my Department’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, in excess of €20 million has been invested in maintenance, development and upgrading works at Killybegs Fishery Centre.
The Harbour has been attracting increasing levels of fishing, commercial cargo and cruise liner activity and the need for additional berthage has been recognised. The Smooth Point project, when complete, will provide a much needed additional 120 metres quay space.
Because some of the material to be dredged was contaminated, the project was divided into two phases. Work on phase 1 of the project, which entailed the dredging and removal of the contaminated material, commenced in 2017 and was completed in 2018, the total cost of this phase including preparation, permitting and design costs stands at €6.5m.
I have just announced the details of a €35.7m Fishery Harbour and Coastal Development Capital Programme for 2019. Killybegs has been allocated in excess of €5m this year of which €4m is earmarked for phase 2 of the Smooth Point project.
Phase 2 involves the dredging of the remaining uncontaminated material and construction of the 120 metres of berthing space. My Department's engineers are presently finalising tender documents with a view to commencing a public tender exercise in April 2019. Following completion of the tender process, it is hoped to award a contract to the successful tenderer in July, with mobilisation on site to begin in August. Phase 2 has an estimated overall project duration of twelve months, however the final costs and timeline will only be determined following the competitive tendering process.
555. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to address the fodder crisis here; if he will undertake a county specific fodder analysis or survey to account for the regional variations in rainfall and impact on farmland specifically in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6944/19]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, 2018 presented the agriculture community with some very challenging conditions in terms of a prolonged wet Spring period followed almost immediately by a period of exceptionally dry, hot weather. However we did see a return to normal growing conditions in the autumn/early winter which provided farmers with an excellent opportunity to replenish fodder stocks.
My priority throughout last year was to support measures to assist in the conservation of as much fodder for this Winter/Spring as possible from within our own resources and to supplement this with necessary imports as required. To this end I introduced a number of targeted measures including:
- a €2.75 million Fodder Production Incentive for Tillage Farmers to encourage growers to actively engage in the fodder market and there has been positive engagement with this measure.
- a €4.25 million Fodder Import Support Measure for Autumn 2018. The measure sought to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage. The measure operated through the Co-operatives/registered importers and covered additional forage imported into the country. I am advised that there remains significant reserves of imported fodder in storage at present through these co-ops.
The most recent national fodder survey conducted in January by Teagasc, on my behalf, and published in the last week indicates that the fodder deficit has receded further. The most recent statistics show that 73% of farmers have sufficient fodder to meet their livestock’s requirements. Additionally the survey shows a steady decrease in the percentage of farms reporting deficits of over 10% since the last survey in October of last year (22% in October versus 15% in January).
In relation to County Wexford, the recent Teagasc survey indicates that currently the level of deficit is below 5%
It is important to stress that while the deficit nationally has been reduced significantly there still remains a fodder deficit on some farms and there is a need for farmers to remain vigilant and avoid complacency. I have urged Teagasc and the other Stakeholders to continue their individual efforts in support of those farmers worst affected and in need of help.
Whilst it is not possible to predict the arrival of the spring and the end of the wintering period, I can assure the Deputy that I, together with my officials will continue to closely monitor the fodder situation.
556. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application lodged for an oyster farm licence at Carrickfinn, County Donegal; when a decision will be known regarding the application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6950/19]
View answerMy Department understands that the area referred to by the Deputy is Braade Strand.
My Department has been notified by the Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board (ALAB) that the Board has received appeals against decisions to grant aquaculture licences for the cultivation of oysters on this strand.
ALAB is an independent Statutory Body established for the purpose of determining appeals against aquaculture licensing decisions. As the Board is currently considering the appeals in question as part of a statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter pending the conclusion of that process.
557. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the recent round of public consultation on aquaculture licensing reforms and new procedures to be introduced; when he will be in a position to bring forward a new system and procedures of application; if he will provide a report into the ad hoc committee that was working on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6951/19]
View answerApplications 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. Application forms and application guidelines and procedures are available on my Department’s website at https://www.agriculture.gov.ie.
The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation. This public consultation is in respect of individual applications. My Department is not at present engaged in wider or more general public consultation on licensing matters.
The Deputy will be aware that in December 2016 I announced the appointment of an independent Aquaculture Licensing Review Group to review the process of licensing for aquaculture and its associated legal framework. The report of the Licensing Review Group was submitted to my Department in May 2017.
The core recommendation of the Licensing Review Group was to eliminate the Aquaculture Licensing backlog. In response my Department has undertaken a two year project to eliminate the shellfish licensing backlog. I can confirm that a target of 300 licence determinations during 2018 was achieved two months ahead of schedule. My Department is committed to achieving a further 300 licence determinations in 2019. This will effectively eliminate the shellfish licensing backlog as an issue affecting the industry.
My Department’s response to the report of the Aquaculture Licensing Review Group was discussed at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on 23rd October 2018. At the meeting I explained why the elimination of the shellfish licensing backlog needs to be the core priority for my Department at present.
The elimination of the shellfish licensing backlog will be a game changer for the industry and will provide the solid footing for the industry long demanded by industry representatives.
558. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the emergency funding sought for his Department from the European Union; the extent of the request or application for funding made as recently reported during the visit of the Taoiseach to Brussels this week; if agreement exists to date regarding this proposed emergency funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6968/19]
View answerThe agri-food sector is of critical importance to the Irish economy, and its regional spread means it underpins the socio-economic development of rural areas in particular. Brexit depending on the outcome has the potential to have a very significant impact on farmers and on the agri-food sector.
There are on-going discussions with the Commission regarding the difficulties facing Ireland, and the assistance that might be required for its agriculture, food and fishing sectors.
I and my officials have been working very hard for quite some time to sensitise other Member States and the European Commission to the potentially very severe impacts of Brexit on the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors, and to the likelihood of specific supports being required in order to deal with these impacts. The institutions of the European Union are very well aware of the likelihood of a significant impact of a disorderly Brexit on Ireland’s economy because this has been part of the discussion from the beginning, and indeed this is explicitly recognised in the Commission’s own communication on contingency planning.
Most recently, I held a bilateral meeting with Commissioner Hogan to discuss the potential impact of a disorderly Brexit on the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors. We discussed the unique exposure of these sectors to the threat of a disorderly Brexit, and the challenges that it could present. I stressed the need to be ready to deploy a range of measures to mitigate the potential impacts on farmers and processors.
The Commission has adopted a legislative proposal to help prepare for the potential significant impacts that a “no-deal” Brexit would have on Irish fisheries and this is currently before the Council and Parliament.
The proposal is to allow fishermen and operators from EU Members States to receive financial aid under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) for the temporary cessation of fishing activities. The aim of this is to help off-set some of the impact of a sudden closure of UK waters to EU fishing vessels in a no-deal scenario.
While I welcome this measure as a useful first step I believe that additional measures, including further financing, over and above the EMFF, at EU level will be required.
In that regard, I am continuing to work with the Commission and other concerned Member States to continue to develop EU wide measures to address the very serious potential problems that may arise. It cannot be left to individual Member States to address these problems in isolation.
Ireland is particularly exposed with regard to the potential impacts for our fisheries sector. I will be meeting with Fisheries Commissioner Vella next Monday to explore additional possible mitigation measures.
559. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of on an ANC appeal by a person (details supplied); when a decision can be expected on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6973/19]
View answerFurther to the completion of the review of eligible lands under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, which was required by EU regulation, my Department wrote to all impacted farmers advising of the status of their lands under the 2019 ANC scheme. These letters included a form to instigate an appeal. The appeals form is also available on www.agriculture.gov.ie. For any farmer who wishes to appeal the status of a particular townland under the 2019 ANC scheme, an independently chaired appeals process is available.
My Department has received a notification of appeal from the person named in relation to one townland. My Department will provide full information in relation to the data underpinning the status of this townland in order that the person named can base any appeal to the independent Appeals Committee on full information. This information will issue shortly to the person named.
560. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) was omitted from a scheme; if this person will be included in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6977/19]
View answerThe Hen Harrier scheme is operationally independent of my Department and is run by the Hen Harrier Project team. The farmer can contact the Hen Harrier project team directly for information regarding his application. Their website, containing all contact details is: http://www.henharrierproject.ie/.
561. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 818 of 15 January 2019, if the case will be reviewed in view of the fact his Department cancelled the initial test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7100/19]
View answerThe herd owner in question was issued a test notification letter on 13/09/2016 requesting that he have his test completed by the 17/10/2016.
The test was not completed by the due date and the herd owner was then issued with an Overdue test letter on the 27/10/2016.
Both letters stated that if the test was not completed by the due date that the herd owner would be liable to pay the fee for the completion of the test.
The test was completed on the 23/11/2017 and an invoice subsequently issued to the herd owner for the cost of the test.
The herd owner did not bring to the attention of the Regional Veterinary Office any mitigating circumstances to explain why the test could not be completed within the timeframe allowed.
562. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a payment in the case of a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7139/19]
View answerAs the Deputy would be aware from previous recent PQ's a review by the Director of Agriculture Appeals Office of the decision of the Appeals Officer has been requested in this case in accordance with the provisions of the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001. The Agriculture Appeals Office has indicated that requests for reviews are generally dealt with in order of receipt and that both the Department and the person named will be advised of the outcome when the review has been completed.
563. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he or his officials received information or have had discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mrs. Karen Bradley, on the possibility of the UK Government considering the Newry and Mourne area for the construction of a nuclear waste disposal site (details supplied); his views regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6581/19]
View answer578. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he or his officials received information or have had discussions with his counterpart in the UK on the possibility of considering the Newry and Mourne area for the construction of a nuclear waste disposal site (details supplied); his views regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6582/19]
View answer585. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to proposals to consider the establishment of a geological disposal facility and-or nuclear waste disposal facility in the Newry, Mourne and Down area; if he has been notified and consulted by the UK authorities on this matter of concern to Border communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6972/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 563, 578 and 585 together.
Senior officials in my Department and the Environmental Protection Agency meet twice a year to discuss matters of mutual interest with United Kingdom (UK) colleagues through the UK-Ireland Contact Group on Radiological Matters. Officials from the Northern Ireland administration are also invited to attend. The matter of radioactive waste, and in particular the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) project, is a standing item on the agenda for the Group. Ireland engages on this matter through this Group, and will continue to monitor developments in relation to UK plans for geological disposal of radioactive waste. This issue was discussed at the Group in November 2018 and officials from the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy confirmed that following a recent public consultation on engagement with potential host communities for a Geological Disposal Facility in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the working policy on potential sites will relate to England only. There are no plans or policy to site a Geological Disposal Facility in Northern Ireland.
A decision regarding locating a Geological Disposal Facility in Northern Ireland would have to be taken by the Northern Ireland Executive.
My officials will continue to engage with their UK counterparts at national and regional levels to ensure that our concerns in this matter continue to be represented.
564. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the lack of compliance with the planning conditions in the infrastructure agreement between EirGrid and the ESB regarding the North-South interconnector; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the ESB has taken over the independent function of EirGrid, which is unauthorised in accordance with SI 445 of 2000; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that EirGrid did not submit the 584 access routes for planning approval; his views on whether it is appropriate that landowners will not be informed of access to their lands until construction is ready to be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6242/19]
View answerThe issue of planning is a matter between the developer and the relevant consenting authority. As Minister, I have no function in the matter. I understand that in the planning process leading up to An Bord Pleanála's decision to grant planning consent for the project, the issue of access routes was just one of the issues comprehensively examined.
A key aim of the Third Energy Market Package was to ensure effective unbundling of generation and supply activities from the operation of electricity networks and transmission systems. The rules on unbundling are aimed at ensuring the independence of the transmission system operator, ultimately to facilitate greater electricity market competition.
EirGrid is a semi-state company whose job as the national transmission system operator is to plan the development of and operate the electricity grid, and to ensure its maintenance. ESB, as owner of the transmission system, carries out construction and maintenance tasks in accordance with EirGrid’s specifications, maintenance programme and Development Plan.
There is an integrated delivery model in Ireland for the planning, development and operation of electricity transmission infrastructure which was developed in accordance with EU “unbundling” rules. An agreement known as the Infrastructure Agreement was entered into between EirGrid and ESB to govern the ongoing relationship between the two organisations.
It is my understanding that under this model EirGrid was responsible for obtaining planning permission for the North South Interconnector and it then became ESB’s responsibility, as asset owner, to construct the line in accordance with EirGrid’s request and specifications.
565. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the progress on environmental issues at a location (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if a compulsory purchase order is being considered for the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6250/19]
View answerThe Gortmore Tailings Management Facility was the largest site remediated in Silvermines at a cost of €6 million. Monitoring of the site has taken place since the remediation work to detect any potential changes.
On the basis of the advice of the Chief State Solicitor's Office, the Department agreed to negotiate with the owner regarding the transfer of the site into public ownership. My Department’s officials are continuing to engage with the owners' legal representatives to secure an outcome that is satisfactory to all affected parties.
566. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the establishment of 11 high-level interdepartmental teams that will develop actions to step up Ireland’s response to climate change in the context of the all-of-Government climate plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6266/19]
View answerI am leading on the development of an all of government plan which will set out the actions which must be taken in every government department and body. The central ambition of this plan will be to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change.
I am working with colleagues across government to develop new initiatives across electricity, transport, heat, as well as a range of other sectors. As part of that work, the following eleven cross-government teams have been established to develop new actions to step up Ireland’s response to climate change in a range of key areas which require action across government:
- biomass, renewable heat, and combined heat and power;
- carbon pricing;
- climate action networks;
- decarbonising buildings;
- electric vehicles and compressed natural gas station networks;
- emissions reduction pathways in the agriculture sector;
- forestry;
- just transition;
- making the public service a leader;
- micro-generation; and
- offshore renewables.
567. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the Broadcast Authority of Ireland will undertake a full review of the rules dealing with food advertising to children; the process in this regard; when the revised code may take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6300/19]
View answerThe Broadcasting Act 2009 provided for the establishment of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) as the independent regulator responsible for oversight of compliance in relation to broadcasting content in the State.
Section 42 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 requires the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to draw up and from time to time revise Broadcasting Codes on the standards and practice to be observed by Broadcasters.
Section 24 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out that the BAI shall be independent in the performance of its duties.
568. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the public consultation will commence to gather the views and suggestions of stakeholders on the way in which Ireland should approach the implementation of the provisions of the revised audiovisual media service directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6301/19]
View answerThe current Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) was codified in 2010 and contains rules and requirements that form the minimum standards that Television Broadcasting Services and On-demand Audiovisual Media Services such as the RTÉ Player or the iTunes Store, must follow in the EU. The provisions of the current Directive are reflected in Irish law in the Broadcasting Act 2009 and related statutory instruments.
In May 2016 the European Commission published a proposed revision of the AVMS Directive. The proposal was designed to update the rules and requirements in the AVMSD to reflect the rapid changes that the audiovisual media market is experiencing. The revised Directive updates existing requirements for television broadcasting and on-demand audiovisual media services and, for the first time, sets out rules and requirements for Video Sharing Platform Services, for example YouTube and Dailymotion.
The text of the revised Directive has been adopted by the EU and was officially published on 27 November 2018. The deadline by which Ireland must implement the provisions is 19 September 2020.
I am committed to ensuring that the provisions of the revised Directive are implemented in Ireland in a robust and effective manner. Given that the final text has now been published, and the challenging legislative timeline involved, it is intended that a public consultation will commence shortly to gather the views and suggestions of stakeholders on how Ireland should approach the implementation of the provisions of the revised Directive.
