Written Answers Nos. 341-353
341. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén dul chun cinn atá déanta le trí mhí anuas maidir leis an réamhobair i dtaobh calafort domhain a fhorbairt i Ros a’Mhíl; cén uair a bhfuiltear ag súil leis an réamhobair sin ar fad a bheith críochnaithe agus cead a bheith faighte tairiscintí a lorg le haghaidh na hoibre; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [4820/21]
View answerBa mhaith liom aird an Teachta a dhíriú ar an bhfreagra a bhfuair sé roimhe seo ar Cheist Pharlaiminte 37622/20 ar tugadh freagra ina leith an 19 Samhain 2020. Ba mhaith liom a shoiléiriú nach bhfuil aon réamhobair déanta maidir le tionscadal le haghaidh Cé Dhomhainmhara i Ros an Mhíl idir an dá linn.
Cé go bhfuil an fhéidearthacht a bhaineann le tionscadal beart domhainmhara ag Lárionad Chuan Iascaigh Ros an Mhíl curtha chun cinn le tamall anois, mar a bhíonn i gceist le gach forbairt sna sé Lárionad Cuain Iascaigh tríd is tríd, ní dhéanfar aon chinneadh eile amach anseo i ndáil le tús a chur go foirmeálta leis an tionscadal seo ag Lárionad Chuan Iascaigh Ros an Mhíl, faoi aon Chlár Caipitil amach anseo, a mheas ach ar an mbonn maoiniú státchiste agus tosaíochtaí náisiúnta iomaíochta a bheith ar fáil.
342. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will insist on the suspension of the student placement component as part of the certificate in agriculture QQI level 5 and QQI level 6 courses in view of the Covid-19 pandemic (details supplied). [4874/21]
View answerThe Deputy should be aware that this is an operational matter for Teagasc.
Teagasc has advised that student work practice is a mandatory requirement for its QQI Level 5 and QQI Level 6 land sector awards. It is also seen as one of the most valued aspects of student's learning experience. Placements to date have gone very successfully with almost 100% uptake – the very small proportion of students not attending was not necessarily due to COVID.
Teagasc emphasise that placements at this point will only occur with the agreement of both the student and host farmer given the COVID context. It is closely monitoring the situation, including the placement approaches taken by other education providers, and will make alternative arrangements where specific COVID concerns arise on a case by case basis. Students are encouraged to discuss particular issues or concerns with their College in the first instance.
343. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the intended timeframe for the establishment of a food ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4905/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to:
Ensure fairness, equity, and transparency in the food chain by establishing a new authority called the National Food Ombudsman (NFO) to enforce the Unfair Trading Practices Directive. This new authority will enforce EU-wide rules on prohibited unfair trading practices in the food supply chain and will have powers to enforce this Directive, penalising those who breach regulations. The NFO will have a specific role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland.
The UTP Directive provides for the establishment of an Enforcement Authority and this can be implemented using secondary legislation provided the powers assigned to that Authority do not go beyond those set out in the Directive. The UTP Directive will be transposed as it stands by 1st May 2021. The legislative and operational requirements for establishing a new Office of a Food Ombudsman or equivalent that might provide for functions other than those provided for in the UTP Directive are being examined. The preparation of legislation for UTP functions that go beyond the UTP Directive or that needs to provide for other functions would require a longer timeframe. My Department is giving this matter priority.
344. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of new places that will be provided on the organic farm scheme in 2021; the criteria that will apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4906/21]
View answerAn additional €4 million has been allocated to facilitate the re-opening of the Organic Farming Scheme in 2021. I intend to make an announcement in the very near future on the details of the opening of the scheme.
The number of entrants who will join the Organic Farming Scheme in 2021 will depend on the applications received but the additional funding should, based on an average size of holding, facilitate the entry of some 400-500 participants.
Successful applications will be determined by a ranking and selection process if the Scheme is over-subscribed. The criteria to be applied will aim to increase the area under organic production while prioritising areas deemed to in deficit, namely the dairy, tillage and horticulture sectors.
345. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current policy in relation to the sale and importation of non-native Irish honeybees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4912/21]
View answerI fully acknowledge the important contribution bees make to agriculture and biodiversity as both pollinators and honey producers. In this regard, my Department provides a range of supports and initiatives to encourage and assist beekeepers and the national beekeeping associations. These supports include funding to carry out applied research through the National Apiculture Programme, grants to national beekeeping associations and grant aid to fund capital investments for beekeepers.
My Department has funded a number of studies under the Genetic Research Grant Aid Scheme looking at various aspects of this honeybee species and specifically apis mellifera melliferra. My Department also supports the work of the Native Irish Honey Bee Society.
In relation to the importation of honeybees into Ireland, this is allowed under regulations governing intra-Community trade with other EU Member States. The specific health requirements for trading in bees are laid out in Council Directive 92/65/EEC. All imports of bees must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the country of export. This is to ensure that imported bees are healthy and do not harbour pathogens or parasites that may be harmful to our native bee stocks.
The importation of bees is therefore subject to EU regulation on intra-community trade.
346. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on introducing a new decommissioning scheme in view of the reduction in Ireland’s fishing quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4935/21]
View answer350. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if individual fleet segments will be targeted in the decommissioning scheme; the safeguards that will be put in place to prevent unsustainable investment in other fleet segments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4940/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 350 together.
In the context of the Commission Proposal for a Regulation establishing a Brexit Adjustment Reserve, I am exploring a variety of possible measures to support our sector with the impacts of the quota transfers to the UK agreed under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This is likely to include a Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme to support the sector in the short term as the effects of the quota transfers begin to affect fishing opportunities, with a possible Fleet Decommissioning Scheme to follow that would seek to re-balance the fleet with the reduced quotas available.
However, as I announced to the Dail last week, I propose to set up a Task Force involving seafood industry representatives and representatives of other stakeholders to provide recommendations to me on the appropriate measures that will best support the sector and the local coastal communities with the impacts of the quota cuts. I will be ensuring a broad representation of our seafood sector, as it is important that there is full buy-in to the process.
I will be asking the task force to immediately focus on arrangements for the Fleet Temporary Tie-up Scheme, so that it can be ready to go live as soon as it is needed. I also expect that the Task Force will provide prioritised recommendations on a range of other appropriate measures that will allow our seafood sector and coastal communities to adjust to the impacts of the quota reductions.
In relation to safeguards to protect against the investment of aid payments to introduce new vessels in other fleet segments, I note that a Decommissioning Scheme funded under the Reserve would require a State Aid Notification to the European Commission. Commission State Aid approval would likely require that it follow the rules for similar schemes implemented under the new European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, which provide that the beneficiary of Decommissioning aid is prohibited from registering any fishing vessel within five years.
I am also conscious of the 2016 Cost Benefit Analysis report from Grant Thornton, commissioned by BIM, which recommended that any decommissioning scheme should only be implemented if fleet management measures could be introduced that specifically avoids future expansion of the active fleet that undermines the economic benefits brought about through decommissioning, ensures the benefits of the scheme achieved are maintained for those remaining, and prevents any competitive advantage for those that availed of the scheme. I will be asking the Task Force to consider the issues raised in the Grant Thornton Report.
347. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of landings of non-quota pelagic species including inter alia, sprat, anchovies, sardines and pilchards caught within Ireland’s six nautical mile territorial limit between 1 January and 31 December 2020; the baselines in 2020; the percentage of these landings that came from vessels over 18 metres in length; the number of vessels in that category that contributed to these landings; the percentage of these landings came from vessels under 18 metres in length; the number of vessels in this category that contributed to these landings in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4937/21]
View answerThe data requested by the Deputy is compiled by and available from the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's requests for this data to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.
Please note that, insofar as the requested data may relate to the ongoing legal actions in respect of the trawling ban on over 18 metre vessels inside 6 nautical miles and baselines, as this matter is sub judice , I am not in a position to comment until the matter can be resolved before the Courts.
348. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure there is an equitable level of representation of all sectors of the seafood industry on the task force he recently announced particularly the Inshore fishing sector which accounts for the majority of the wild capture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4938/21]
View answerOn 21 January, I announced in the Dáil my intention to set up a task force involving seafood industry representatives and representatives of other stakeholders to provide recommendations to me on the appropriate measures that will best support the sector and the local coastal communities with the impacts of the quota cuts.
My Department is urgently preparing the Terms of Reference for this Task Force and I will be ensuring a broad representation of our seafood sector, as it is important that there is full buy-in to the process. I will be asking the task force to immediately focus on arrangements for the Fleet Temporary Tie-up Scheme, so that it can be ready to go live as soon as it is needed.
I also expect that the Task Force will provide prioritised recommendations on a range of other appropriate measures that will allow our seafood sector and coastal communities to adjust to the impacts of the quota reductions.
349. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of active off-register or on-shelf replacement capacity tonnage and kilowatts in existence in the refrigerated sea water polyvalent general on vessels over 18 metres and polyvalent under 18 metres fleet segments; the way in which this replacement capacity could prevent the objectives of any decommissioning scheme; and the action he is taking to address the matter. [4939/21]
View answerThe Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003 transferred the functions of sea-fishing boat licensing from the Minister to the Licensing Authority for Sea-fishing Boats, which operates on an independent basis subject to criteria set out in that Act and Ministerial Policy Directives. The Licensing Authority is the Registrar General of Fishing Boats, an official of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine or, under the superintendence of the Registrar General, the Deputy Registrar General of Fishing Boats.
The Registrar General of Fishing Boats is charged with maintaining a Register of Fishing Boats and with the proper management of the capacity of the Irish fleet.
Capacity in the form of gross tonnage and engine power is not an asset owned by the Department or by the Licensing Authority. It is a privately owned tradable asset that, with certain exceptions, may be sold, traded or realised as a financial asset on the tonnage market (as the owner deems appropriate). Only off-register capacity (i.e. capacity from a vessel which has been removed from the Fishing Boat Register) may be sold or traded etc. All transfers of capacity must be approved by the Licensing Authority.
Mackerel fleet policy is governed by Ministerial Policy Directive 1/2011, as amended by Policy Directives 2/2011 and 1/2017. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food determined which polyvalent vessels, or off-register polyvalent capacity qualified for classification as 'Tier 1" or 'Tier 2". These determinations were notified to the Licensing Authority. The Licensing Authority noted these determinations and separately 'ring-fenced' Tier 1 and Tier 2 vessels and capacity within the polyvalent segment of the fleet.
The Registrar General has advised me of the "Active" Off-Register capacity as at 31 December 2020 and this is outlined in the table below:
|
"Active" Off-Register Capacity (as at 31 December 2020) |
||
|
Segment |
GT |
kW |
|
Refrigerated Seawater (RSW) Pelagic: |
11,230 |
661.89 |
|
Polyvalent (>=18metres Length overall)* |
2,229.55 |
6,833.245 |
|
Polyvalent (<18metres Length overall)** |
432.84 |
2,647.735 |
*Of which, 9GT & 91.66 kW is "ring-fenced" as Tier 1, 292.3GT & 705.5 kW is "ring-fenced" as Tier 2
**None of which is "ring-fenced" as Tier 1 or Tier 2 capacity
In the context of the Commission Proposal for a Regulation establishing a Brexit Adjustment Reserve, I am exploring a variety of possible measures to support our sector with the impacts of the quota transfers to the UK agreed under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This is likely to include a Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme to support the sector in the short term as the effects of the quota transfers begin to effect fishing opportunities.
On 21 January, I announced in the Dáil my intention to set up a task force involving seafood industry representatives and representatives of other stakeholders to provide recommendations to me on appropriate measures to support our seafood sector and coastal communities with the impacts of the quota cuts. My Department and Bord Iascaigh Mhara will be working closely with the Taskforce over the coming months.
351. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on putting in place funding for farm-led trialling of organic protein crops that could be produced in Ireland to reduce reliance on imported soy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4941/21]
View answerIt is recognised that there is insufficient supply of organic proteins and organic grain to meet demand for livestock feed in the organic sector. It is acknowledged that there is a need both for promotion and further research on organic protein crops.
In this regard, through the Organic Demonstration Farm Programme run by my Department and Teagasc, organic protein crops have featured prominently over the years demonstrating best practices in relation to varietal selection, husbandry and maximising the use of protein crops on farm.
Teagasc has recently established a significant research programme on protein crops with the aim of reducing the dependence on imported proteins. The research, which includes linkages with EU partners, focuses primarily on beans but also includes other legumes. This research coupled with the protein support scheme and the support of the feed industry has underpinned the quadrupling of protein crop production within the last decade. Research is also being conducted on forage and grazing legumes including red clover which can further help reduce imported dietary protein needs. Work is mainly focused on agronomy with some breeding input, and some of these trials are conducted using low levels of chemical and fertilizer inputs.
The organic protein crop sector is small in terms of land area and market size but has potential to grow in the future. The existing research based on low inputs provides a platform for future organic research by providing improved crop physiology and crop production knowledge that would inform organic production systems.
Organic combi-crops, which are a mixture of cereals and proteins, are becoming increasingly popular on organic livestock farms, and are recognised as a simple cost-effective way to grow cereals and protein to feed livestock. Successful growing of organic protein crops will be highly important in growing the organic sector in Ireland.
352. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if research or analysis will be made available carried out by his Department or a body working with or on behalf of his Department on the impact of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the EU and Canada on the Irish agri-food sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4942/21]
View answerNegotiations on the EU Canada Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement (CETA) concluded on 26th September 2014, and the agreement entered into force provisionally on 21st September 2017.
In 2013, my Department, in conjunction with Teagasc, carried out a detailed analysis of the proposed agreement. The agreement includes a tariff rate quota (TRQ) of 50,000 tonnes of Canadian beef access to the EU market, but our analysis concluded that this was unlikely to pose a significant threat to our beef sector. Canada was unlikely to be able to fill this TRQ in the short- to medium-term, given the high transport costs, together with the significant financial investment required to move to a hormone-free production system. At present, the Asian market appears to provide comparable prices to the EU market and has lower costs for Canadian exporters.
Our analysis also concluded that the agreement contained good opportunities for our wider agri-food industry. This has been borne out by the fact that the TRQ of 18,500 tonnes for EU cheese and industrial cheese has helped to drive our dairy exports to Canada. These exports have grown from €9.9 million in 2013 to €14.7 million in 2019. The agreement also included immediate 100% tariff-free market access for EU beef to Canada. This was timely as, in 2015, Ireland had gained access to the Canadian market for Irish beef.
Our geographical indications, Irish Whiskey and Irish Cream Liqueur, are now also protected. This is important as Canada is a major destination for our beverages sector's exports. In 2019, Canada accounted for €20.6 million of Irish Whiskey exports (our sixth-largest export market) and €44.4m of Irish Cream exports (our second-largest export market).
It is a priority for both my Department and for Bord Bia to continue to support our industry in taking advantage of the opportunities provided by CETA.
353. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there are plans to amend the community call documentation to explicitly include as a target group those being asked to isolate as part of test and trace and those being asked to restrict their movements on travelling here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4713/21]
View answerFrom the early stages of the pandemic the Community Call initiative has mobilised national government, local government and the community and voluntary sector to support vulnerable people in our communities. The initiative coordinates community activity, directing community assistance to where it is needed, and marshals the volunteering energy of the country.
The Community Call is available to anyone who requires assistance with practical issues arising from restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes those asked to isolate or restrict their movements. The practical assistance could include help in relation to shopping, meal deliveries, et cetera.
It is a matter for the Community Fora, established in each local authority area, to coordinate the activity in their areas, and for all of the organisations involved to prioritise those most in need of assistance.
My Department, along with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Health and the City and County Managers Association, sits on a national oversight group for the Community Call. While this group monitors the Call and ensures cooperation at central and local government level, the response at local level to identified need is coordinated and agreed within each Community Call Forum.
