Tuesday, 12 Mar 2019

Written Answers Nos. 508-537

Afforestation Programme

Questions (508)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

508. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a series of matters in regard to forestry will be examined (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12309/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Ireland’s Forestry Programme 2014-2020 was approved by the Government and secured State aid approval from the European Commission in 2015. The scheme provides financial support of up to 100% of the cost of establishment as well as an annual premium each year up to 15 years. 

My Department has sought to address falling planting rates through the introduction of higher rates and premiums, arising from the Mid-Term Review of the Forestry Programme, for new forestry planting – with grants increased, for example, by 2% to 7% depending on the species category and the premiums for certain categories increased by 5%. Currently, under the most popular planting category, the premium rate is €520 per hectare for planting areas greater than 10 hectares. The grants and premiums available under the programme  represent a considerable investment by the National Exchequer in afforestation and the 15 year rule will remain in place for the current Programme, as per State Aid approval.

While the Forestry Programme does not cover the cost of reforestation, forest owners can realise their asset through clear-felling, when their forest matures. It should be noted that  since 1/1/2016 changes to taxation rules means that income from felling is no longer subject to the High Earners Income Tax restriction which limited the exemption to €80,000 per annum. Furthermore, under paragraph (591) of the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas 2014 to 2020, State aid is not allowed for reforestation grants where felled trees are replaced with equivalent ones.

As payment for reforestation is not provided for under the current Forestry Programme, no further premiums are paid once the 15 year period has elapsed.

Animal Slaughtering Data

Questions (509)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

509. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of carcasses graded by a given machine between when it was discovered to be working out of synchronicity and the last time it was inspected by a Department official (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12368/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The number of inspections conducted by my Department in slaughterhouses far exceeds the legal requirement as set down in regulation and is consistent with inspection controls applied in other Member States.  The Divisional Annual control plan operated by Beef Carcase Classification section of my Department requires officers to conduct, where possible, a factory inspection every 2 weeks.

In 2017 for the 13 incidences where machines were found to be out of tolerance, the average interval between the inspection by my officials and a previous Department inspection when the machine was operating within tolerance, was 9 production days.  

In 2018, for the 7 incidences, this average interval between these 2 dates was 8 production days. The exact day within each period that the machines went out of tolerance is not possible to determine.  At each production day in the factories concerned, the average number of carcases classified was 342 in 2017 and 303 in 2018.  

Beef Exports

Questions (510)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

510. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the provisions which have been made to facilitate the live export of beef animals in the event that high import tariffs are placed on Irish beef exports in the event of a no-deal Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12369/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Live exports are a critical part of the infrastructure of our livestock industry. They play a significant role in stimulating price competition and provide an alternative market outlet for farmers. My Department facilitates this trade, recognising its critical importance to the agri sector, while ensuring that live animal exports meet the highest welfare standards. I continue to prioritise efforts to gain access to new third country markets and, equally importantly, to deepen existing markets for live exports.

I visited Turkey last week to meet with my Turkish counterpart, Dr Bekir Pakdemirli, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry. We discussed existing and future opportunities for technical cooperation and trade in agri-food products between Ireland and Turkey. I impressed upon Minister Pakdemirli the importance of the Turkish market for Irish livestock and our desire to re-establish trade as soon as possible. I am pleased that the Minister indicated his intention to consider the re-opening of the market in the second half of 2019 and I assured him that there is significant interest from industry in this country in resuming that trade.

The stringent system of animal health and welfare controls operated by my Department on the sea journey to Turkey ensures that Irish cattle arrive in excellent condition, a point acknowledged by the Turkish delegation.

My Department is engaging closely with Egypt to reach agreement on health certificates for the export of fattening, slaughter and breeding cattle. The Chief Veterinary Officer has written to his Egyptian counterpart on 4th March in this regard.

In November 2018, the Department reached agreement with Libya on a new veterinary health certificate for the export of breeding cattle, and an amended veterinary certificate for the export of fattening and slaughter cattle. Having an agreed health cert for breeding cattle provides much more clarity for exporters, as previously exports of breeding cattle to Libya had to be agreed on a load-by-load basis. The age of cattle that can be exported to Libya increased from 24 to 30 months – this increases opportunities for exporters to export a wider range of cattle. Live exports to Libya more than doubled in 2018 over 2017 to 5,450 head. There was a recent shipment of 1,000 bulls to Libya.

In January I also extended an invitation to my Algerian counterpart to visit Ireland in early 2019. This follows earlier contact with Algeria, in an effort to reach agreement on revised and separate slaughter, fattening and breeding certificates.

Animal Slaughtering Data

Questions (511)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

511. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of factory-fit beef animals from Ireland slaughtered in meat plants in Northern Ireland in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12370/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The number of beef animals that were exported to Northern Ireland for the years 2017 and 2018, were 16,687 and 17,740 respectively as recorded on the Department’s Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) database, while a total of 3,017 beef animals have been exported to Northern Ireland from the start of 2019 to 3rd March.

The AIM database does not record the intended purpose for export. This information is, however, recorded on the Veterinary Health Certificate which is issued when an animal is exported and is accessible through the TRACES system which is an intra EU traceability system. This data will be compiled and sent directly to the deputy's office.

Animal Slaughtering Standards

Questions (512)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

512. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 239 of 6 March 2019, when a factory must revert to using an approved manual grader; if there is a protocol for a farmer to follow if unhappy with the grade awarded to an animal which he or she sent to slaughter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12413/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Unlike mechanical grading, it is open to a farmer to appeal a manual grading of the carcass. Manual classifiers are factory employees and are licensed to classify by my Department under the EU legislation.  Therefore a farmer looking to make such an appeal or to have the grade rechecked should contact the factory in question.

Animal Slaughtering Standards

Questions (513)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

513. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if approved manual carcass graders are employed by his Department or the food business operator when they are called upon in a situation in which a mechanical grading machine is found to be working out of synchronicity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12414/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017 governs the monitoring of carcase classification, carcase presentation and weighing.

If a mechanical classification machine is found to be working outside EU defined tolerances the factory is instructed to revert to manual grading immediately.  All manual classifiers are factory employees and are licensed to classify by my Department under the above regulation.  Where manual classification is applied, this is identified on the farmer's remittance documents. 

Departmental Schemes

Questions (514)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

514. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the applications will open and the expected lending interest rate for the future growth loan scheme for long-term investment loans announced in budget 2018; and the percentage of the €300 million scheme that will be ring-fenced for sectors (details supplied) in tabular form. [12427/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Future Growth Loan Scheme has been developed by my Department and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in partnership with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and the European Investment Fund (EIF). It will be delivered through participating finance providers and make up to €300 million of investment loans available to eligible Irish businesses, including farmers and the agri-food & seafood sectors.

This is a long-awaited source of finance for young and new entrant farmers, especially the cohort who do not have high levels of security. It will also serve smaller-scale farmers, who often do not have the leverage to negotiate for more favourable terms with their banking institution.

The loans will be competitively priced at 4.5% or lower, will be for terms of 8-10 years and will support strategic long-term investment in a post-Brexit environment. There is a minimum loan amount of €100,000 for SMEs or €50,000 for primary agriculture. The maximum loan amount is €3,000,000 and loans of under €500,000 will be made on an unsecured basis.

There will be €50 million to €60 million available initially for farmers, within an overall agri-food package of €120 million. Should demand exceed these levels, this can be reviewed.

The Scheme features a two-stage application process whereby initial application is made through the SBCI website. Successful applicants are issued an eligibility reference number which can then be used in an application to one of the participating finance providers. Approval of loans is subject to the finance providers’ own credit policies and procedures. Further information including a FAQ document may be accessed on the DAFM website via the following link: https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/agri-foodindustry/agri-foodandtheeconomy/agri-foodbusiness/futuregrowthloanscheme/.

SBCI recently issued an open call inviting banks and other lenders to become lending partners and this closed on 11 February. SBCI advise that that a period of due diligence, which will include the EIF, is now under way. I have urged SBCI to operationalise the Scheme as soon as possible. The Scheme will run for three years from its launch date and further announcements in this regard will be made shortly.

Live Exports

Questions (515)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

515. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cattle and calves exported by country in the 2010 to 2018 period; the figures for 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12428/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Live exports are a critical part of the infrastructure of our livestock industry. They play a significant role in stimulating price competition and provide an alternative market outlet for farmers. My Department facilitates this trade, recognising its critical importance to the agri-sector, while ensuring that live animal exports meet the highest welfare standards. I continue to prioritise efforts to gain access to new third country markets and, equally importantly, to deepen existing markets for live exports.

My decision in 2017 to reduce the veterinary inspection fee payable on live exports of calves less than three months of age from €4.80 to €1.20 has brought greater equity to the inspection fee regime. Since then there has been continued growth in the export of calves, rising from 102,000 in 2017 to 159,000 in 2018. It should be noted that the reduction of live exports in Northern Ireland over the last decade is linked to the demands by the UK multiples under the beef labelling rules.

In 2018 live exports of cattle increased by over 30% to 246,000 head compared to 2017. The following are tables with figures for exports of cattle and calves from 2010 to 2019.

Live exports of cattle (including calves) 2010 to 2019

	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
Belgium	33,600	26,200	8,300	19,500	21,700
France	3,100	1,000	200	7,000	5,300
GB	8,600	7,600	11,500	11,300	18,100
Greece	1,300	1,700	2,500	1,600	1,300
Hungary	400	1,000	1,100	100	100
Italy	70,800	53,700	37,900	26,000	30,000
Libya	0	0	0	14,500	17,700
Morocco	2,700	2,100	2,300	1,400	800
Netherlands	61,900	34,500	15,000	31,500	38,200
Northern Ireland	95,100	59,400	62,600	54,600	54,400
Poland	0	0	0	0	0
Romania	0	100	200	400	200
Slovakia	0	0	0	0	0
Spain	60,700	25,100	15,400	36,800	44,300
Tunisia	0	200	1,300	2,900	3,700
Turkey	0	0	0	0	0
Total *	339,000	214,500	160,400	208,900	236,800

Table ctd.

	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Belgium	600	400	5,500	13,500	900
France	8,600	5,900	2,800	9,100	0
GB	9,100	6,600	5,900	5,500	400
Greece	700	1,500	1,000	1,600	500
Hungary	100	400	100	200	100
Italy	24,900	18,600	19,400	24,100	3,100
Libya	400	2,200	1,800	5,500	0
Morocco	300	200	0	700	0
Netherlands	43,700	27,000	41,800	48,900	9,900
Northern Ireland	55,300	24,500	26,100	24,600	4,400
Poland	0	0	0	2,700	1,400
Romania	300	600	1,400	800	0
Slovakia	0	500	300	1,800	0
Spain	29,600	37,000	50,500	92,500	11,100
Tunisia	3,900	0	0	200	200
Turkey	0	19,300	30,600	12,900	0
Total *	178,000	145,200	188,300	246,200	32,000

Live exports of calves 2010 to 2019

	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
Belgium	33,300	26,200	8,300	19,200	20,100
France	3,000	900	100	6,700	5,000
Netherlands	61,700	34,400	14,900	31,400	34,200
Northern Ireland	12,000	1,400	800	700	2,000
Italy	11,700	5,200	1,200	1,400	2,000
Spain	36,300	20,000	13,000	31,200	38,200
Total *	159,000	88,100	38,300	90,700	101,600

Table ctd.

	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Belgium	0	0	4,200	13,300	900
France	8,300	5,600	2,400	8,500	0
Netherlands	43,400	26,600	41,400	48,600	8,700
Northern Ireland	2,000	1,100	1,200	2,100	100
Italy	4,100	6,800	8,400	12,700	1,300
Spain	27,400	32,600	44,000	73,000	7,900
Total *	85,500	72,700	101,600	158,800	19,900

* Countries with smaller numbers of exports are not listed on tables but are included in totals.

Beef Exports

Questions (516)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

516. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value in 2018 of total beef exports by country; the percentage of total exports to each country in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12429/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Irish beef exports increased from €2,405 million in 2017 to €2,439 million in 2018.  The following table provides beef exports from the start of January to the end of December 2018, in both value and volume terms according to the CSO trade statistics.

Country	€000	Tonnes	% Value	% Volume
Austria	4,668	1,503	<1%	<1%
Bahrain	91	13	<1%	<1%
Belgium	54,039	5,834	2.22%	1.09%
Benin	19	26	<1%	<1%
Bulgaria	671	112	<1%	<1%
Canada	2,179	585	<1%	<1%
China (incl Hong Kong)	65,028	20,726	2.67%	3.87%
Comoros	10	20	<1%	<1%
Congo	127	151	<1%	<1%
Costa Rica	25	25	<1%	<1%
Croatia	670	120	<1%	<1%
Cyprus	400	36	<1%	<1%
Czech Republic	15,517	2,863	<1%	<1%
Denmark	40,367	10,799	1.65%	2.02%
Estonia	320	70	<1%	<1%
Finland	2,117	343	<1%	<1%
France	233,146	50,174	9.56%	9.38%
Gabon	125	50	<1%	<1%
Georgia	90	67	<1%	<1%
Germany	140,588	17,786	5.76%	3.32%
Ghana	9,454	9,319	<1%	1.74%
Gibraltar	60	14	<1%	<1%
Greece	911	84	<1%	<1%
Guinea	84	126	<1%	<1%
Guinea Bissau	28	26	<1%	<1%
Honduras	38	25	<1%	<1%
Hungary	1,072	350	<1%	<1%
Iceland	17	3	<1%	<1%
Israel	896	155	<1%	<1%
Italy	184,505	26,667	7.56%	4.98%
Ivory Coast	3,586	4,834	<1%	<1%
Jamaica	39	25	<1%	<1%
Japan	3,626	842	<1%	<1%
Latvia	8	3	<1%	<1%
Lebanon	91	39	<1%	<1%
Liberia	225	300	<1%	<1%
Libya	435	179	<1%	<1%
Lithuania	450	126	<1%	<1%
Luxembourg	4,768	362	<1%	<1%
Malta	5,849	810	<1%	<1%
Morocco	54	15	<1%	<1%
Mozambique	382	557	<1%	<1%
Netherlands	200,530	40,169	8.22%	7.51%
Norway	526	112	<1%	<1%
Papua New Guinea	38	25	<1%	<1%
Philippines	31,692	17,674	1.30%	3.30%
Poland	10,100	3,628	<1%	<1%
Portugal	16,119	3,155	<1%	<1%
Romania	1,386	234	<1%	<1%
Saudi Arabia	58	26	<1%	<1%
Senegal	3,214	3,935	<1%	<1%
Sierra Leone	35	50	<1%	<1%
Singapore	1,024	312	<1%	<1%
Slovakia	2,922	534	<1%	<1%
Slovenia	167	13	<1%	<1%
South Africa	3,008	2,614	<1%	<1%
South Korea	619	188	<1%	<1%
Spain	56,709	10,389	2.32%	1.94%
Sweden	87,540	19,669	3.59%	3.68%
Switzerland	24,624	2,103	1.01%	<1%
Togo	36	52	<1%	<1%
Trinidad &   Tabago	552	141	<1%	<1%
UK (incl Northern Ireland)	1,206,163	269,631	49.45%	50.40%
Tunisia	377	328	<1%	<1%
United Arab   Emirates	622	24	<1%	<1%
United States	9,515	2,135	<1%	<1%
Vietnam	4,876	1,686	<1%	<1%
Grand Total	2,439,227	534,991

Food Exports

Questions (517)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

517. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the countries to which Ireland exports lamb; the volume and value in 2018 of total exports by country; the percentage of total exports to each country in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12430/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Sheepmeat exports increased by 1.5% in value in 2018 compared to 2017, to an estimated €314.8 million, or almost 60,000 tonnes. The following table provides sheepmeat exports from the start of January to the end of December 2018, in both value and volume terms according to the CSO trade statistics.

Country	€000	Tonnes	% Value	% Volume
Austria	1,340	195	<1%	<1%
Belgium	27,648	3,823	8.78%	6.39%
Bulgaria	425	32	<1%	<1%
Canada	5,709	1,262	1.81%	2.11%
China (incl Hong Kong)	3,192	1,252	1.01%	2.09%
Comoros	30	6	<1%	<1%
Congo	20	19	<1%	<1%
Croatia	32	2	<1%	<1%
Czech Republic	314	29	<1%	<1%
Denmark	11,096	1,470	3.53%	2.46%
Estonia	56	14	<1%	<1%
Finland	590	110	<1%	<1%
France	102,014	18,878	32.41%	31.53%
Gabon	58	25	<1%	<1%
Germany	39,569	6,315	12.57%	10.55%
Ghana	397	399	<1%	<1%
Greece	12	2	<1%	<1%
Hungary	68	17	<1%	<1%
Italy	11,300	1,993	3.59%	3.33%
Ivory Coast	682	919	<1%	1.54%
Latvia	64	5	<1%	<1%
Luxembourg	499	62	<1%	<1%
Malta	299	28	<1%	<1%
Mozambique	35	51	<1%	<1%
Netherlands	7,182	1,533	2.28%	2.56%
Philippines	129	124	<1%	<1%
Poland	898	241	<1%	<1%
Portugal	440	50	<1%	<1%
Romania	28	2	<1%	<1%
Singapore	39	26	<1%	<1%
Slovakia	163	22	<1%	<1%
South Africa	574	708	<1%	1.18%
Spain	862	121	<1%	<1%
Sweden	23,465	4,558	7.46%	7.61%
Switzerland	18,292	1,258	5.81%	2.10%
UK (incl Northern Ireland)	56,650	14,199	18.00%	23.72%
United Arab Emirates	340	18	<1%	<1%
Vietnam	247	102	<1%	<1%
Grand Total	314,758	59,870

Pork Exports

Questions (518)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

518. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown by country in volume and value in 2018 of pork exports; the percentage of total exports to each country in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12431/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Last year the total value of pigmeat exports, taking account of all pigmeat including prepared and preserved, was more than €832 million, an increase from €793 million in 2017. Additionally, in volume terms, exports rose by almost 10 million tonnes growing from 277 million tonnes in 2017 to 286 million tonnes in 2018.

The following table, based on CSO data, shows the total pigmeat exports and exports to some of Ireland's key markets in 2018.

Country	€000	Tonnes	% value
Angola	13	25	<1%
Australia	18,025	6,670	2.17%
Austria	759	277	1%
Azerbaijan	31	25	<1%
Bahrain	5	1	<1%
Belgium	2,835	2,427	<1%
Bermuda	106	35	<1%
Bulgaria	474	289	<1%
Canada	5,120	1,538	<1%
Central African Republic	10	25	<1%
Chile	81	52	<1%
China (incl. Hong Kong)	79,164	59,438	9.52%
Congo	131	147	<1%
Croatia	16	3	<1%
Czech Republic	14,184	5,583	1.70%
Denmark	51,472	20,238	6.19%
Equatorial Guinea	13	25	<1%
Estonia	1,572	651	<1%
Finland	1,372	252	<1%
France	19,668	3,187	2.36%
Germany	31,638	16,155	3.80%
Ghana	462	712	<1%
Gibraltar	14	5	<1%
Greece	103	30	<1%
Guam	355	143	<1%
Haiti	33	75	<1%
Hungary	1,403	955	<1%
Iceland	24	5	<1%
Italy	3,545	744	<1%
Ivory Coast	292	606	<1%
Jamaica	385	174	<1%
Japan	41,364	14,805	4.97%
Latvia	74	59	<1%
Lebanon	83	14	<1%
Liberia	22	49	<1%
Lithuania	723	298	1%
Luxembourg	8	2	<1%
Malaysia	18	25	<1%
Malta	156	36	<1%
Netherlands	9,308	2,375	1.12%
New Zealand	1,718	734	<1%
Philippines	7,878	8,248	1%
Poland	3,378	1,374	<1%
Portugal	2,446	202	<1%
Romania	21	3	<1%
Saudi Arabia	25	25	<1%
Singapore	439	445	<1%
Slovakia	53	12	<1%
Slovenia	17	3	<1%
South Africa	1,347	895	<1%
South Korea	13,765	6,193	1.65%
Spain	14,226	1,617	1.71%
Sweden	7,154	6,436	<1%
Switzerland	680	58	<1%
Trinidad & Tobago	2,392	960	<1%
United Kingdom	471,533	115,041	56.67%
United Arab Emirates	1,370	342	<1%
United States	18,267	5,145	2.20%
Vietnam	313	211	<1%
Grand Total	832,083	286,099

Food Exports

Questions (519)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

519. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown by country in volume and value in 2018 of dairy ingredient exports; the percentage of total exports to each country in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12432/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In 2018, Ireland exported dairy products to over 130 countries totalling over €4.5 billion worth of produce, an increase of over 5% by volume compared to 2017 and another year of strong performance by the Irish dairy sector.

The following table, based on CSO data, outlines details in respect of values and tonnage by country for dairy exports, and the share of total dairy exports to that country with respect to trade in 2018.

Exports of dairy ingredients from Ireland in 2018

Country	€000	Tonnes	% of Total Volume
OVERALL TOTAL	4,564,152	1,432,956
Afghanistan	6,505	3,627	<1%
Algeria	49,889	17,301	1%
Angola	6,223	3,346	<1%
Argentina	2,722	1,080	<1%
Australia	5,088	860	<1%
Austria	12,711	3,588	<1%
Azerbaijan	77	9	<1%
Bahamas	2,154	301	<1%
Bahrain	5,501	1,086	<1%
Bangladesh	9,408	5,648	<1%
Barbados	255	37	<1%
Belarus	422	84	<1%
Belgium	150,938	32,090	2%
Benin	792	519	<1%
Bermuda	289	41	<1%
Brazil	5,214	1,861	<1%
British Virgin Islands	407	239	<1%
Bulgaria	833	230	<1%
Burkina Faso	7,333	4,068	<1%
Burma	1,354	701	<1%
Cameroon	366	160	<1%
Canada	8,921	1,150	<1%
Cape Verde	647	200	<1%
Cayman Islands	327	48	<1%
Ceuta	80	52	<1%
Chad	1,214	806	<1%
Chile	5,095	697	<1%
China (incl Hong Kong)	541,372	95,681	7%
Colombia	10,007	1,342	<1%
Congo	5,911	3,271	<1%
Congo (Dem Rep)	16,306	9,588	1%
Costa Rica	3,851	1,291	<1%
Croatia	1,451	374	<1%
Cyprus	3,151	316	<1%
Czech Republic	6,427	1,298	<1%
Denmark	14,306	5,921	<1%
Dominica	482	415	<1%
Dominican Republic	4,889	1,181	<1%
Ecuador	1,649	208	<1%
Egypt	23,453	8,486	1%
El Salvador	3,999	1,116	<1%
Ethiopia	649	72	<1%
Finland	393	89	<1%
France	204,458	55,975	4%
Gabon	1,088	657	<1%
Gambia	2,748	1,543	<1%
Georgia	191	44	<1%
Germany	357,690	105,664	7%
Ghana	15,742	10,222	1%
Gibraltar	130	18	<1%
Greece	15,332	3,121	<1%
Guatemala	8,482	1,945	<1%
Guinea	4,066	2,266	<1%
Guyana	1,005	270	<1%
Honduras	1,228	319	<1%
Hungary	1,836	372	<1%
India	135	189	<1%
Indonesia	14,035	7,413	1%
Iran	487	100	<1%
Iraq	51,805	23,818	2%
Israel	22,374	2,879	<1%
Italy	32,979	10,655	1%
Ivory Coast	10,167	6,214	<1%
Jamaica	1,175	504	<1%
Japan	40,728	12,169	1%
Jordan	19,375	5,008	<1%
Kenya	923	463	<1%
Kuwait	15,489	1,984	<1%
Latvia	2,305	549	<1%
Lebanon	8,730	2,779	<1%
Liberia	973	557	<1%
Libya	14,127	3,458	<1%
Lithuania	168	28	<1%
Madagascar	544	191	<1%
Malawi	4,629	1,969	<1%
Malaysia	52,548	28,019	2%
Maldives	35	47	<1%
Mali	29,094	18,793	1%
Malta	4,595	1,564	<1%
Marshall Islands	31	3	<1%
Mauritania	2,903	1,729	<1%
Mauritius	2,130	777	<1%
Mexico	43,222	11,067	1%
Morocco	18,804	4,871	<1%
Mozambique	44	28	<1%
Nepal	30	47	<1%
Netherlands	610,758	192,069	13%
New Zealand	9,256	5,631	<1%
Nicaragua	63	5	<1%
Niger	4,250	2,554	<1%
Nigeria	77,329	43,531	3%
Norway	1,409	274	<1%
Occupied Palestine	6,805	681	<1%
Oman	10,065	1,538	<1%
Other (Non-EU)	144	15	<1%
Pakistan	10,902	6,294	<1%
Panama	4,111	345	<1%
Peru	11,704	2,164	<1%
Philippines	17,871	8,749	1%
Poland	80,434	28,383	2%
Portugal	4,340	1,203	<1%
Qatar	4,994	648	<1%
Romania	3,456	795	<1%
Russia	24,986	7,759	1%
Sao Tome & Principe	46	27	<1%
Saudi Arabia	101,405	16,145	1%
Senegal	43,365	24,564	2%
Seychelles	800	133	<1%
Sierra Leone	461	266	<1%
Singapore	17,671	7,696	1%
Slovakia	418	110	<1%
Slovenia	1,010	261	<1%
Somalia	647	85	<1%
South Africa	23,478	9,643	1%
South Korea	4,031	1,378	<1%
Spain	62,945	16,031	1%
Sri Lanka	91	14	<1%
St Vincent & Grenadines	238	101	<1%
Sudan	1,219	625	<1%
Surinam	1,631	521	<1%
Swaziland	76	9	<1%
Sweden	6,376	1,434	<1%
Switzerland	5,644	1,588	<1%
Syria	2,429	2,708	<1%
Taiwan	19,262	2,248	<1%
Tanzania United Rep	1,441	855	<1%
Thailand	23,185	9,067	1%
Togo	10,672	6,415	<1%
Trinidad and Tabago	8,427	2,499	<1%
Tunisia	6,866	2,483	<1%
Turkey	32,758	6,489	<1%
United Arab Emirates	40,478	14,635	1%
United Kingdom	1,021,759	407,540	28%
United States	293,398	48,232	3%
Vietnam	10,915	2,482	<1%
Yemen	3,253	1,491	<1%
Zambia	1,728	842	<1%
Zimbabwe	1,511	935	<1%

Food Exports

Questions (520)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

520. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown by country in volume and value in 2018 of cheddar exports; the percentage of total exports to each country in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12433/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In 2018, Ireland exported dairy products, including cheese to more than 130 countries totalling over €4.5 billion worth of produce. Total cheddar cheese exports for 2018 was in excess of €560 million.

The following table, based on CSO data, outlines details in respect of values and tonnage by country for cheddar exports, and the share of total cheddar exports to that country with respect to trade in 2018.

Exports of cheddar cheese from Ireland in 2018

Country	€000	Tonnes	% of Total Volume
OVERALL TOTAL	560,598	171,189
Algeria	32,057	9,776	6%
Australia	52	4	<1%
Austria	1,347	524	<1%
Bahamas	126	22	<1%
Bahrain	1,703	374	<1%
Belgium	16,096	4,708	3%
Bermuda	25	5	<1%
Canada	429	63	<1%
Cayman Islands	76	12	<1%
Chile	31	4	<1%
China (incl Hong Kong)	1,208	270	<1%
Cyprus	1,533	101	<1%
Czech Republic	384	112	<1%
Denmark	2,800	996	1%
Egypt	11,760	3,592	2%
Finland	4	<1	<1%
France	10,744	3,039	2%
Germany	38,624	11,613	7%
Gibraltar	5	1	<1%
Greece	558	109	<1%
Guatemala	365	105	<1%
Guyana	809	200	<1%
Hungary	194	35	<1%
Iraq	89	24	<1%
Italy	2,295	680	<1%
Ivory Coast	72	20	<1%
Jamaica	65	9	<1%
Japan	37,201	11,435	7%
Jordan	1,831	494	<1%
Kenya	47	10	<1%
Kuwait	785	212	<1%
Lebanon	896	226	<1%
Libya	11,936	3,136	2%
Lithuania	147	24	<1%
Malaysia	110	15	<1%
Malta	2,769	842	<1%
Mauritius	287	33	<1%
Morocco	5,778	1,805	1%
Netherlands	48,959	15,696	9%
Nigeria	30	9	<1%
Norway	737	156	<1%
Oman	38	10	<1%
Poland	574	167	<1%
Portugal	175	28	<1%
Qatar	362	66	<1%
Romania	168	48	<1%
Saudi Arabia	15,120	4,667	3%
Senegal	347	94	<1%
Seychelles	342	52	<1%
Singapore	519	151	<1%
Slovenia	10	1	<1%
South Africa	700	182	<1%
South Korea	69	20	<1%
Spain	16,088	4,341	3%
Sri Lanka	17	4	<1%
Sweden	70	6	<1%
Switzerland	456	122	<1%
Trinidad & Tabago	309	67	<1%
Tunisia	3,488	1,105	1%
Turkey	2,922	840	<1%
United Arab Emirates	5,202	1,267	1%
United Kingdom	266,445	85,280	50%
United States	12,213	2,180	1%

Waste Management

Questions (521)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

521. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department had studied the work of an organisation (details supplied) by which the Scottish Government tries to accelerate the development of a circular economy; if the targets aimed for by the organisation could be a model for a similar approach here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11673/19]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

A review of "A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland" will commence this year. This review process will take account of a number of initiatives, such as the European Circular Economy waste and plastics legislation framework and the reports from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Price Monitoring Group. This process will inform the development of future national waste management policy, including our environmental goals, regulatory and market structures, and policy instruments and tools.

In that context, officials from my Department are currently reviewing Circular Economy Action Plans published throughout the EU in preparation for development of our own Circular Economy Action Plan. This includes the work of the Scottish government. The Department has also funded a report by the National Economic and Social Council on 'Moving towards the Circular Economy in Ireland'.

While we can learn from existing plans in operation in other jurisdictions, it is accepted that any new policy design will need to take into consideration the context of Ireland's economy and will need to be aligned with our wider policy goals.

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Questions (522)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

522. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated time for connection under the roll-out of the national broadband plan for an area (details supplied); if this property was part of the additional 80,000 residential and businesses expansion recently announced by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11463/19]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I welcome recent announcements of further commercial investment in high speed broadband infrastructure by telecommunications operators. While my Department has received high level presentations from the operators with regard to their recent announcements, the operators have not published, or provided my Department with, detailed commercial or technical plans identifying the individual premises to be served.

The premises referenced by the Deputy is in the BLUE area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The BLUE areas are where commercial providers are either currently delivering, or have plans to deliver, high speed broadband services.

Where a citizen living in a Blue area is unable to obtain a high speed broadband service, I would encourage them to email my Department at [e-mail] with their Eircode and details of the service providers they have contacted and the issues encountered in respect of accessing high speed broadband.

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Questions (523, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

523. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated time for connection of a property (details supplied) under the roll-out of the national broadband plan for the area; if the property was part of the additional 80,000 residential and businesses expansion recently announced by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11472/19]

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

525. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated time for connection to the roll-out of the national broadband plan for a property (details supplied); if this property was part of the additional 80,000 residential and businesses expansion recently announced by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11485/19]

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

526. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated time for connection to the roll-out of the national broadband plan for a property (details supplied); if this property was part of the additional 80,000 residential and businesses expansion recently announced by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11486/19]

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

527. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated time for connection to the roll-out of the national broadband plan for a property (details supplied); if this property was part of the additional 80, 000 residential and businesses expansion recently announced by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11487/19]

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

528. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated time for the connection of a property (details supplied) to the roll-out of the national broadband plan for a property; if the property was part of the additional 80,000 residential and businesses expansion recently announced by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11506/19]

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

529. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated time for connection to the roll-out of the national broadband plan for a property (details supplied); if the property was part of the additional 80,000 residential and businesses expansion recently announced by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11519/19]

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

530. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated time for connection to the roll-out of the national broadband plan for a property (details supplied); if the property was part of the additional 80,000 residential and businesses expansion recently announced by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11520/19]

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

531. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated time for connection to the roll-out of the national broadband plan for a property (details supplied); if the property was part of the additional 80,000 residential and businesses expansion recently announced by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11522/19]

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

532. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated time for connection to the roll-out of the national broadband plan for a property (details supplied); if the property was part of the additional 80,000 residential and businesses expansion recently announced by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11523/19]

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

533. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated timeframe for a broadband connection for a property (details supplied); the timeframe for the roll-out of the national broadband plan for the area; if the property was part of the additional 80,000 residential and businesses expansion recently announced by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11529/19]

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

534. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated timeframe for a broadband connection for a property (details supplied); the timeframe for roll-out of the national broadband plan for the area; if the property was part of the additional 80,000 residential and businesses expansion recently announced by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11530/19]

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

535. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated timeframe for a broadband connection for a property (details supplied); the timeframe for roll-out of the national broadband plan for the area; if the property was part of the additional 80,000 residential and businesses expansion recently announced by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11531/19]

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

536. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated timeframe for a broadband connection for a property (details supplied); the timeframe for roll-out of the national broadband plan for the area; if the property was part of the additional 80,000 residential and businesses expansion recently announced by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11532/19]

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

537. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated timeframe for a broadband connection for a property (details supplied); the timeframe for roll-out of the national broadband plan for the area; if the property was part of the additional 80,000 residential and businesses expansion recently announced by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11533/19]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 523 and 525 to 537, inclusive, together.

I welcome recent announcements of further commercial investment in high speed broadband infrastructure by telecommunications operators. While my Department has received high level presentations from the operators with regard to their recent announcements, the operators have not published, or provided my Department with, detailed commercial or technical plans identifying the individual premises to be served.

The premises referenced by the Deputy are in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP. This intervention is the subject of an ongoing procurement process.

The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. I will bring a recommendation to Government in relation to the NBP in the coming weeks.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (524)

Catherine Martin

Question:

524. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 539 of 16 October 2018, the terms of reference for the report on just transition due in early 2019 as mentioned by an official at the Joint Committee on Climate Action meeting on 17 September 2018; and the date for the likely completion of the report. [11473/19]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I am currently preparing an All of Government Climate Plan which will set out the actions which must be taken to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change. I am working with colleagues across Government to develop new initiatives in electricity, transport and heat, as well as a range of other sectors. The All of Government Plan will build on the previous actions and framework put in place by both the National Mitigation Plan and the National Development Plan.

It is proposed that the new plan will include a series of actions aimed at further developing our analytical understanding of the socio-economic and distributional impacts of the low-carbon transition, ensuring that we design policies and measures to address both the challenges and the opportunities arising, and putting in place appropriate frameworks to support regions that are expected to be particularly impacted by the transition. This includes work to analyse the economic and employment implications of the transition to be completed by the end of 2019, in line with the timeframe committed to in the National Mitigation Plan.

The publication of the Government's Future Jobs Ireland on 10 March also reflects the importance of a just transition for Ireland and sets out a series of complementary actions, including commissioning the National Economic and Social Council to develop policy recommendations for consideration by Government for the operation of Transition Teams to manage the impact of economic transition on vulnerable workers and sectors. These may comprise: developmental supports for enterprises and sectors faced with challenges arising from the move to a low carbon economy; sustainable business models and new technologies; career advice and training guidance to managers and workers in sectors and job roles affected by future changes; accessible training to upskill and retrain such workers including through Skills to Advance as well as tailored development plans for them; and potential EU financial assistance opportunities for such a programme.

Questions Nos. 525 to 537, inclusive, answered with Question No. 523.