Written Answers Nos. 736-751
736. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farmer (details supplied) will be able to avail of funding through the €100 million pledged in additional support for beef farmers; the way in which the funds will be distributed; the application process for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23593/19]
View answerI have had ongoing discussions with Commissioner Hogan regarding the potential impact of a disorderly Brexit. I have stressed the need for the Commission to be ready to deploy a range of measures to mitigate the potential impacts on the agrifood and fisheries sector. Avoiding a no-deal Brexit continues to be the Government’s overriding policy priority.
I am also keenly aware that the past few months have been very difficult for beef farmers in particular, following a difficult year for farm incomes in 2018 due to weather conditions. There has been a prolonged and exceptional period of depressed prices since last autumn, with the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the outcome of Brexit, among other factors, contributing to this market disturbance.
The recent announcement by Commissioner Hogan of EU exceptional aid for the Irish beef sector is very welcome in this context. I have been making the case for some time for an exceptional aid package from the EU Commission for Irish beef farmers, at EU Council of Agriculture Minister meetings, and in direct consultation with the Commission. The announcement by the Commissioner is another example of the importance of EU solidarity when it comes to facing significant economic challenges.
This exceptional aid provision will be given effect through a Commission Implementing Regulation. While Member States will be invited to give an opinion on the draft Regulation through the Commission’s Common Market Organisation Management Committee, the draft Regulation is within the Commission’s own legal competence, and is not for negotiation with Ireland or indeed other Member States, in terms of its content.
Further details on the aid package will be announced in due course following the appropriate stakeholder consultation.
737. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the licence associated with an application will issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23677/19]
View answerA tree felling licence was received from the person named. When inspected, it was discovered that the application was for a six metre hedgerow and that a tree felling licence was not required. The applicant has been informed of this by letter. My Department has also advised the applicant that contact must be made with the National Parks and Wildlife Service before removing the hedgerow to ensure they are in compliance with the Wildlife Acts.
738. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an AEOS appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23688/19]
View answerThe person named was rejected from the AEOS III scheme following the results of an inspection. A review of the inspection findings has been requested. This request is currently being examined and the Department will shortly notify the applicant directly, in writing, of the outcome of the review.
739. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to comply with three conditions laid down by the European Commission for further use of glyphosate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23696/19]
View answerMy Department removed glyphosate products containing the co-formulant POE tallowamine from the Irish market in 2016. In addition, glyphosate products remaining on the market are not permitted to be used pre-harvest for desiccation/harvest management purposes in cereals. However, some products are allowed for use on crops close to harvest for the control of problematic weeds. It should be noted that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) review of glyphosate included an assessment of potential dietary exposure that could result from pre-harvest use and concluded that this use does not pose a risk to human health.
With regard to glyphosate use in public spaces, there is a requirement through the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive (Directive 2009/128/EC) to minimise the use of pesticides in such areas. This applies to all pesticides, not just those containing glyphosate. Preference should be given to non-chemical weed control methods and, where this is not practical or economically feasible, it is only permissible to use products not classified as being hazardous to the environment. My Department has produced specific guidance for both public and private users alike to support sustainable use of pesticides in the amenity sector.
Regarding the use of plant protection products containing glyphosate in Ireland, my Department continues to monitor international peer-reviewed scientific evidence and to follow EFSA and European Chemicals Agency conclusions and guidance.
740. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a copy of a document which was prepared by a company (details supplied) was sent to his Department; if his officials received it; if his officials read it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23730/19]
View answerBord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
My Department received the report referred to on 24th May 2019, subsequent to a request from the Comptroller and Auditor General for details of any external reports or reviews undertaken by State Bodies for the year 2018.
The commissioning of the report was an operational matter for Bord na gCon and it regards its content as commercially sensitive. My Department is examining the report at present.
741. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale for the changes to the veterinary inspection scheme at meat factories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23832/19]
View answerIn January of this year, my Department reached agreement with Veterinary Ireland in relation to the provision of new arrangements for the delivery of the meat inspection service, taking account of improvements required for effective service delivery.
The agreement was balloted upon and accepted by members of Veterinary Ireland, effective from 1 February 2019.
This agreement will ensure the meat inspection service will continue to be delivered in a way that protects consumers and promotes confidence in the safety of meat and meat products produced and marketed in Ireland.
742. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when decisions will be made on an aquaculture licence application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24008/19]
View answerMy Department considers applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation. 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.
In addition, the legislation governing aquaculture licensing provides for an appeals mechanism. Appeals against licence decisions are a matter for the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB) which is an independent statutory body. Full details of the appeals process can be obtained at: http://www.alab.ie/appealsprocess/
In accordance with the applicable legislation, the Statutory and Public Consultation phase in respect of the applications referred to by the Deputy is now concluded. Every effort is being made to expedite determinations in respect of these applications having regard to the complexities involved. As these licence applications are under active consideration as part of a statutory process, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this time.
743. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when details of the scheme to assist the beef sector will be announced; if the total funding will be €100 million; when farmers are likely to receive this financial aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24090/19]
View answerI have had ongoing discussions with Commissioner Hogan regarding the potential impact of a disorderly Brexit. I have stressed the need for the Commission to be ready to deploy a range of measures to mitigate the potential impacts on the agrifood and fisheries sector. Avoiding a no-deal Brexit continues to be the Government’s overriding policy priority.
I am also keenly aware that the past few months have been very difficult for beef farmers in particular, following a difficult year for farm incomes in 2018 due to weather conditions. There has been a prolonged and exceptional period of depressed prices since last autumn, with the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the outcome of Brexit, among other factors, contributing to this market disturbance.
The recent announcement by Commissioner Hogan of EU exceptional aid for the Irish beef sector is very welcome in this context. I have been making the case for some time for an exceptional aid package from the EU Commission for Irish beef farmers, at EU Council of Agriculture Minister meetings, and in direct consultation with the Commission. The announcement by the Commissioner is another example of the importance of EU solidarity when it comes to facing significant economic challenges.
This exceptional aid provision will be given effect through a Commission Implementing Regulation. While Member States will be invited to give an opinion on the draft Regulation through the Commission’s Common Market Organisation Management Committee, the draft Regulation is within the Commission’s own legal competence, and is not for negotiation with Ireland or indeed other Member States, in terms of its content.
Further details on the aid package will be announced in due course following the appropriate stakeholder consultation.
744. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence from a person (details supplied); and his further views on the issues raised regarding the levy in question. [24091/19]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The current Foal Levy scheme, which was introduced in 2000 on a statutory basis, applies to all thoroughbred foals registered in Ireland. The Foal Levy is currently calculated with reference to SI 735 of 2011, which is the governing legislation.
I can confirm that correspondence from the person named, with regards to this levy, has been received by my Department. As the issues raised in the correspondence are an operational matter for HRI, my officials have sought their views on the matter.
A reply will issue to the named individual in due course.
745. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a director's review of an agriculture appeals decision in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24147/19]
View answerThe request for a review of the Appeals Officer's decision in relation to the person named was received by the Agriculture Appeals Office. The review of the Appeals Officer's decision is required to determine if the Appeals Officer made an error of fact or law in that decision.
A number of requests for reviews were received prior to the request and carrying out comprehensive reviews of the cases concerned can take some time depending on the complexity of the issues. I am advised that every effort is being made to finalise the review of the case concerned as soon as possible and that it is anticipated that a decision will issue shortly.
746. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter regarding farm payments in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24148/19]
View answerUnder the current Rural Development Regulation (and subsequent amendments under the Omnibus Regulation), Member States were required to change the approach to the designation of land under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme. Previously, my Department had been identifying eligible areas using a range of socio-economic indicators such as family farm income, population density, percentage of working population engaged in agriculture and stocking density. From 2019, eligible areas must instead be designated using a defined list of bio-physical criteria such as slope, soil texture, soil rooting depth, soil moisture and drainage.
The outcome of the ANC redesignation project can be summarised as follows. The vast majority of land, including the townland of Rathscannel (H14013), which was eligible under the existing ANC Scheme has remained eligible under the new approach. In addition, over 2,000 townlands will now be newly eligible under the new approach and will be eligible to receive a payment for the first time under the 2019 ANC scheme. Some 700 townlands, including the townland of Ballyhenry (H14005), which would have previously been eligible are no longer eligible under the new designation. Farmers impacted financially by this change, including the person named, will receive a degressive phasing out payment in 2019 and 2020.
Further to the completion of the redesignation process in December 2018, my Department wrote to all farmers holding ANC lands advising them of the status of these lands under the 2019 ANC scheme and advised of their right to appeal this position. Where a farmer notified my Department of their wish to make such an appeal, they have been provided with all relevant information in relation to the data underpinning the status of the specified townland in order that an appeal to the independently chaired Appeals Committee can be based on full information.
My Department has received no such appeals notification from the person named in respect of the townland of Ballyhenry (H14005). The closing date for receipt of such appeals notifications was 8 April 2019.
747. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the beef grading technology trial has included a new carcase grading equation; the reason this was included; the basis for this equation; the research to support this equation; when it was published; when the grading report will be published; if both sides of the carcase were analysed as part of the trial; the tolerance levels expected and accuracy levels of the new technology; if the new grading machines will be introduced in isolation to the new grading equation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24271/19]
View answerMy Department supervised the recent modification trial of the mechanical beef carcase classification system to establish compliance with EU legislation in terms of new technology.
Following calibration of the modified classification machine using 2,400 carcasses in 2018, the new technology was validated on an additional 2,100 carcasses by comparison with the grades of three Department classification officers. The calibration process explored the optimum equations to maximise the accuracy of the machine. The equations used are equations that were authorised in authorisation trials carried out and supervised by the EU Commission.
A classification expert from the Netherlands independently monitored the two year trial and produced a detailed report which is currently being reviewed and will be published in the near future on the Department's website. The Report will include accuracy levels relevant to the new technology.
The modification procedure was fully in line with EU guidelines and was undertaken to establish if the enhanced technology complies with the legislation in respect of accuracy and legal tolerances.
The introduction and roll-out of any classification machine is a commercial decision for industry. The function of my Department is to ensure that any such machine complies with the relevant regulatory requirements.
748. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter regarding entitlements in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24337/19]
View answerThe person named applied in 2014 to receive his mother’s entitlements by way of inheritance. My Department requested the information required to process this file in 2014. Reminder letters issued on two separate occasions but no response was received and the application was rejected.
The person named continues to be paid on his own entitlements but the change of scheme in 2015 resulted in the total value being spread across the whole of the declared holding resulting in the reduction in unit value.
The person named contacted my Department in February and June of 2019 enquiring about this transfer and was advised that, without the information requested in 2014, it would not be possible to process his application. A copy of the original letter was sent to them. He was further advised that the documents should be sought from the solicitor administering the estate. When the required information is received, my Department will be in a position to reopen this file.
It should be noted also that my Department is not in a position to accept waiver of entitlements forms which have not been witnessed by a solicitor due to the legal nature of the document. The Department is anxious to assist the person named, but will require these legal documents to do so.
749. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to release the submissions made to the European Commission seeking a €100 million Brexit fund as an aid to beef farmers who have sustained significant losses in the past 12 months; the way in which this figure was computed; the form used to calculate the number of farmers who suffered loss; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24349/19]
View answerI have had ongoing discussions with Commissioner Hogan regarding the potential impact of a disorderly Brexit. I have stressed the need for the Commission to be ready to deploy a range of measures to mitigate the potential impacts on the agrifood and fisheries sector. Avoiding a no-deal Brexit continues to be the Government’s overriding policy priority.
I am also keenly aware that the past few months have been very difficult for beef farmers in particular, following a difficult year for farm incomes in 2018 due to weather conditions. There has been a prolonged and exceptional period of depressed prices since last autumn, with the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the outcome of Brexit, among other factors, contributing to this market disturbance.
The recent announcement by Commissioner Hogan of EU exceptional aid for the Irish beef sector is very welcome in this context. I have been making the case for some time for an exceptional aid package from the EU Commission for Irish beef farmers, at EU Council of Agriculture Minister meetings, and in direct consultation with the Commission. The announcement by the Commissioner is another example of the importance of EU solidarity when it comes to facing significant economic challenges.
This exceptional aid provision will be given effect through a Commission Implementing Regulation. While Member States will be invited to give an opinion on the draft Regulation through the Commission’s Common Market Organisation Management Committee, the draft Regulation is within the Commission’s own legal competence, and is not for negotiation with Ireland or indeed other Member States, in terms of its content.
Further details on the aid package will be announced in due course following the appropriate stakeholder consultation.
750. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the Inland Fisheries Ireland-OPW instream enhancement programme for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24191/19]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is the statutory body responsible for Drainage Maintenance and Flood Risk Management in the State while Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the statutory body responsible for the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource.
IFI and OPW signed a shared service agreement in July 2018 which will see continued collaboration over the five year period 2018-2022 in the protection of fishery requirements while flood risk management investment activities are being undertaken by OPW. The agreement involves both parties working closely together to help ensure the country’s statutory drainage objectives are achieved with an appropriate focus on the protection of fishery habitats and resources.
The agreement has been secured at a time when Government investment in flood risk management operations is significant and follows the recent publication of the Government’s Flood Risk Management Plans. This new partnership formalises the historical working relationship between the two organisations and commits them to continuing their positive engagement for the benefit of Ireland’s fishery habitats and resources.
Under the agreement, both parties will work across the Environmental River Enhancement Programme (EREP) and will focus on:
- A series of scientific investigations to further understand environmental impacts of river maintenance works.
- Development of best practice to minimise environmental impacts and maximise environmental gain of river maintenance and flood relief activities.
- Work programme to identify barriers to fish passage on arterially drained rivers that have potential for improvements works.
- Work elements to assist in all waters attaining ‘Good’ ecological status by a specified date, as per the EU
- Water Framework Directive.
The full agreement is available on the IFI website www.fisheriesireland.ie and includes, inter alia, the provision of dedicated staff within IFI, the agreed need to generate fish and hydro-morphology Environment Quality Ratio scores in advance of any proposed works to identify actual need for works and to specify works, if required, that would be appropriate to the hydro-morphological character of the channel. This is particularly relevant to any IFI or local community initiatives regarding instream and riparian works.
IFI and OPW have agreed that the matching of enhancement measures to the relevant channel is to be undertaken in a holistic manner, and must be dependent on the character and needs of the catchment and on the channel’s hydro-morphological characteristics.
The programme is driven by the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive, particularly that the status of all water bodies should be at least “Good”. Overall status is assessed by a series of ecological indicators e.g. fish community and by habitat or hydro-morphology status. River enhancement, within the requirements of the Directive, goes beyond a narrow fisheries enhancement focus. The emphasis is on restoration of natural river processes and this type of approach should also broadly benefit fisheries.
The EREP is undertaken by IFI and is an applied scientific study. OPW maintain approximately 2,000 km of channel each year and uses environmental guidance developed with IFI. The guidance is aimed at conservation and/or adding value for habitat creation and river enhancement.
A significant outcome from the Water Framework Directive and its impact on EREP is that OPW and IFI have agreed that any proposed 'enhancement' measure should be tested in advance to assess current status of fish and habitat. Four such enhancement proposals are to be so tested in 2019 with surveys of fish and habitat status scheduled.
For the Deputy’s information, the 2017 annual report of EREP is available online on both OPW and IFI websites. The draft 2018 report is currently being jointly reviewed.
751. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the dangers of air pollution from sources such as exhaust emissions, soil and road surfaces, construction work and industrial emissions; the number of premature deaths to date in 2019 that are directly attributable to poor air quality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24290/19]
View answer779. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of air pollution breaches recorded at monitoring stations nationally to date in 2019; the locations in which air pollution readings breached the standard safe reading level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24288/19]
View answer780. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the national ban on harmful smoky coal will come into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24289/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 751, 779 and 780 together.
Recent scientific evidence indicates that air pollution is more damaging at lower concentrations than was previously understood. Air pollution also arises from a wide range of sources, including residential heating, transport and agriculture. With this in mind, I am committed to bringing forward Ireland's first ever National Clean Air Strategy. The Strategy, which I intend to publish later this year, will provide the policy framework necessary to identify and promote integrated measures across Government that are required to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner air, while delivering on wider national objectives.
The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal, or ‘the smoky coal ban’ as it is commonly known, has proven very successful since first introduced in Dublin in 1990 and subsequently extended so that it now applies in 26 urban areas nationwide.
I am disappointed that a number of coal firms have indicated they would legally challenge the decision of two former Ministers to extend the ban nationwide. As a result it has not proven possible to extend the ban nationwide for the 2019/2020 year. The coal companies have indicated that if the smoky coal ban is extended, they will challenge both the new ban and the existing ban, on the basis that the state should also have to ban the burning of other fossil fuels, including wood and peat products. I am working with the Attorney General to finalise a legally robust plan which will improve air quality by reducing particulate matter in the air.
Estimates of the numbers of deaths attributable to air pollution in 41 European countries are released on an annual basis by the European Environment Agency. This assessment requires information on air pollution, demographic data, and the relationship between exposure to ambient pollutant concentrations and a health outcome. Figures for 2019 are not yet available. The latest report, published in 2018, gives data for 2015 and is available at the following link:
https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/air-quality-in-europe-2018
It indicates that there were in the order of 1,150 premature deaths in Ireland attributable to air pollution in 2015.
In relation to the number of air pollution breaches so far in 2019, ambient air quality monitoring in Ireland is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the 2008 Clean Air for Europe (CAFE) Directive (Directive 2008/50/EC), and the Fourth Daughter Directive (Directive 2004/107/EC of 15 December 2004). These Directives also include rules on how Member States should monitor, assess and manage ambient air quality.
Following a review by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of air quality monitoring and information provision in Ireland, a decision was taken to expand and enhance the air quality monitoring network. The roll-out of the enhanced network, the Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (AAMP), is progressing and over the period 2017 to 2022 will more than double the capacity of ambient air quality monitoring in Ireland. One of the key objectives of the programme is to enhance the provision of real time air quality data to the public. My Department has committed funding of some €5 million over the lifetime of the programme.
Regarding the number of breaches recorded this year, provisional data from the EPA, which is subject to further validation, indicates that up until 6 June, there have been 98 breaches of the PM10 daily limit value during 2019 at stations as outlined in the table. Under the provisions of the CAFE Directive, an exceedance for PM10 is recorded if the limit is breached more than 35 times at an individual monitoring station during the year.
Number of values greater than 50 ug/m3
|
Station Name |
Year to date 06/06/2019 |
Station Location |
Station Type |
Station Operator |
|
Ballyfermot |
7 |
Dublin 10 |
Suburban Background |
Dublin City Council |
|
Blanchardstown |
4 |
Dublin 15 |
Suburban Traffic |
Fingal County Council |
|
Brownes Road |
1 |
Waterford City |
Suburban Background |
EPA |
|
Castlebar |
1 |
Co. Mayo |
Suburban Background |
EPA |
|
CIT Bishopstown |
3 |
Cork City |
Suburban Background |
CIT |
|
Davitt Road |
15 |
Dublin 2 |
Suburban Traffic |
Dublin City Council |
|
Dundalk |
2 |
Co. Louth |
Suburban Background |
EPA |
|
Enniscorthy |
11 |
Enniscorthy Town |
Suburban Background |
Wexford County Council |
|
Finglas |
2 |
Dublin 11 |
Suburban Background |
Dublin City Council |
|
Kilkitt |
1 |
Co. Monaghan |
Rural Background |
EPA |
|
Marino |
4 |
Dublin 3 |
Suburban Background |
Dublin City Council |
|
Phoenix Park |
2 |
Dublin 8 |
Suburban Background |
Dublin City Council |
|
Rathmines |
5 |
Dublin 6 |
Urban Background |
EPA |
|
Ringsend |
12 |
Dublin 4 |
Urban Traffic |
EPA |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
Roscommon City |
Suburban Background |
EPA |
|
Seville Lodge |
7 |
Kilkenny City |
Suburban Background |
EPA |
|
South Link Road |
5 |
Cork City |
Suburban Traffic |
Cork City Council |
|
St. Anne’s |
1 |
Dublin 5 |
Suburban Background |
EPA |
|
St. John’s Road West |
5 |
Dublin 8 |
Urban Traffic |
Dublin City Council |
|
Winetavern Street |
8 |
Dublin 8 |
Urban Traffic |
Dublin City Council |
There have been no breaches of limit values for other pollutants so far this year.
