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Thursday, 9 Sep 2021

Written Answers Nos. 1582-1601

Trade Data

Questions (1582)

Denis Naughten

Question:

1582. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the awareness campaign that has taken place to date in relation to the transposition of the Unfair Trading Practices Directive into Irish law in April 2021; the number of complaints received by Enforcement Authority within his Department to date and the current status of such complaints; the investigations the Enforcement Authority has commenced on its own initiative since April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42524/21]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, one of the key principles of the Directive on Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain is to protect farmers, farmers’ organisations and other weaker suppliers of agricultural and food products against stronger buyers and to improve their position in the supply chain. I signed Statutory Instrument No. 198 of 2021 transposing the UTP Directive into Irish law on 28th April 2021, ahead of the EU deadline of 1st May 2021. These Regulations are an important tool in strengthening the position of primary producers, who are key to the success of our sector.

The new legislation provides for the establishment of an Enforcement Authority to deal with complaints against unfair trading practices and, as an interim measure, I have established the Enforcement Authority in the Department pending the finalisation of primary legislation to establish a new Office of National Food Ombudsman or Regulator. The Enforcement Authority has the power to investigate complaints from suppliers, including primary producers, carry out investigations on its own initiative and initiate legal proceedings for breaches of the UTPs.

I have recently appointed authorised officers to the Authority and work is ongoing to develop a communications and awareness-raising campaign which will commence shortly. No complaints have yet been received nor has the Authority initiated any investigations at this stage.

I am committed to bringing forward a National Food Ombudsman/Regulator office that will bring greater levels of transparency to the sector.

Flexible Work Practices

Questions (1583)

Dara Calleary

Question:

1583. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to facilitate remote working within his Department in particular to encourage remote working for those who live in the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42700/21]

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Written answers

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is a significant Civil Service employer and is also one of the most geographically diverse Departments, encompassing a very significant regional footprint.

The Department's staff already provide a variety of services to the Irish public and the agri-food sector in a diverse array of roles and from multiple regional locations. Department staff operate throughout the country working in our headquarters offices, regional and local offices, laboratories, fishery harbour centres, food production sites, farms, air and sea ports, as well as carrying out inspections on private farms and various food production facilities.

A central policy framework for blended working in the civil service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives in the course of the coming months. This framework will inform the development of organisation-level blended working policies, tailored to the specific requirements of each Department/Office, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas.

Following the transition phase out of the current COVID-19 related arrangements, it is intended that my Department will introduce a blended working policy in April 2022, in line with the timeframe agreed by Government. The purpose of this Departmental policy will be to facilitate an element of remote working, in tandem with attendance at the workplace, within a formalised structure which supports the business needs of the Department. Staff will be entitled to apply for blended working, and all applications will be considered bearing in mind the suitability of the applicant and the role for blended working arrangements, as well as the needs of the relevant team and business area.

Work is ongoing on the development of the policy and this will continue to involve significant and appropriate consultation with key stakeholders, including staff, unions and management, prior to agreement, publication and implementation.

Flexible Work Practices

Questions (1584)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1584. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are accommodating requests for persons to work from home. [42750/21]

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Written answers

All Departments and Offices are currently working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible.

As we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, the Department will facilitate a meaningful transition back to the normal place of work, particularly for staff who have been working from home for the majority of the period in question. This will involve a gradual phased return of staff to the workplace and will be done in accordance with prevailing public health advice. This transition phase will involve for many staff a blend of remote working and attendance in the workplace.

A central policy framework for blended working in the civil service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives in the course of the coming months. This framework will inform the development of organisation-level blended working policies, tailored to the specific requirements of each Department/Office, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas.

Following the transition phase out of the current COVID-19 related arrangements, it is intended that the Department will introduce a blended working policy in April 2022, in line with the timeframe agreed by Government. The purpose of this Departmental policy will be to facilitate an element of remote working, in tandem with attendance at the workplace, within a formalised structure which supports the business needs of the Department. Staff will be entitled to apply for blended working, and all applications will be considered bearing in mind the suitability of the applicant and the role for blended working arrangements, as well as the needs of the relevant team and business area.

Work is ongoing on the development of the policy and this will continue to involve significant and appropriate consultation with key stakeholders, including staff, unions and management, prior to agreement, publication and implementation. Engagement with state agencies under the aegis of DAFM has been ongoing with a view to facilitating a broad consistency of approach, and this engagement will continue to be maintained.

Harbours and Piers

Questions (1585)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1585. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding his Department provided to each local authority for the maintenance and development of small piers and harbours annually since 2015. [42767/21]

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Written answers

The Department provides funding to assist the coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.

Funding of €4.2m has been approved for the Local Authority element of my Department’s 2021 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Between the years 2015-2020, the Local Authorities have received total funding of €15.6m under this Programme.

Please find attached table detailing the information you requested.Local Authority Funding 2015-2020

Fishing Industry

Questions (1586)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1586. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the applications of the National Inshore Fishermen's Association and the National Inshore Fishermen's Organisation to become Producer Organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42768/21]

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Written answers

The Department is the competent authority under the EU Common Market Organisation Regulation (1379/2013) for recognition of fisheries and aquaculture Producer Organisations.

In 2020, the Department received an application from the National Inshore Fishermen's Association CLG for recognition as a Producer Organisation. The Department wrote to the NIFA requesting additional information to assist in assessing the NIFA application against the mandatory recognition criteria. The NIFA responded on some of the issues concerned, but a response is awaited on some others. Pending receipt of that information, consideration of the application from the NIFA is paused. The officials have discussed the status of the application and the outstanding information required with the NIFA on a number of occasions.

Forestry Sector

Questions (1587)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1587. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1275 of 31 March 2021, if he will make available the Forestry District Inspector’s report from their site visit on 30 January 2021. [42769/21]

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Written answers

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine received the application referenced in December 2019.  A Forestry District Inspector made a site visit on 30th January and this is referenced in the Inspectors Certification report, which may be viewed on the Forestry Licence Viewer.

This application was advertised on my Department’s website on 20th December and was open for public consultation from that date. The licence issued on 3rd March, 2020 and 28 days were provided for appeal to the independent Forestry Appeals Committee.  The decision was advertised on my Department’s website.  No appeal was received.

I am satisfied therefore that the application procedures were followed in full from application to the issuing of the licence.

Agriculture Industry

Questions (1588)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1588. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his response to the increases in fertiliser prices. [42770/21]

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Written answers

I am aware that fertiliser is a huge cost on most farms. There has been a sharp increase in fertiliser prices since the start of this year. The fertiliser market is largely driven by global supply and demand and, while there are a number of factors influencing fertiliser price, the major driving factors for the current increase in prices are increased global demand driven by strong growth in agricultural commodity prices, rising production costs due to increased raw material and energy costs, and issues with supply for certain fertiliser products.

No fertilisers are manufactured in Ireland, resulting in indigenous fertiliser companies being price-takers, dependent on global supply and demand and subject to Euro exchange rates against the US dollar and other currencies.

Many farmers purchased their fertiliser earlier this year compared to previous years and were not exposed to recent price increases. However, it is expected that farmers will experience the full effect of higher fertiliser prices for the coming season. Fertiliser prices are projected to remain robust into next year as production is increased in response to rising global demand coupled with higher costs of production. As a key input in the food production system, the Department will be closely monitoring how the fertiliser market develops in the months ahead.

Agriculture Industry

Questions (1589)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1589. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will require fertiliser producers to provide expiry dates and batch numbers on fertiliser products for sale in the State. [42771/21]

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Written answers

The sale of fertiliser and lime in Ireland is regulated by both EU (Regulation (EC) No. 2003/2003) and Irish legislation (Statutory Instrument No. 248/1978). The majority of manufacturers of mineral fertiliser in Ireland market their products in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003. This Regulation ensures that fertiliser products are labelled accurately and meet minimum nutrient requirements. However, current EU and National fertiliser regulations do not require batch numbers and expiry dates to be included on fertiliser products labels.

A new EU Fertiliser Products Regulation (FPR) (Regulation (EU) 2019/1009) is coming into effect next year. Under the new FPR, manufacturers will be obliged to ensure that the packaging of EU fertilising products bears a type number or a batch number or any other element to allow their identification.

With regard to the inclusion of expiry dates, there is no requirement to include production or expiry dates for mineral fertiliser products under the FPR. However, the FPR puts in place a conformity assessment system to provide for quality assurance for fertiliser products that are available on the market. This conformity system will ensure that the necessary conformity assessment requirements and procedures have been successfully completed before products are made available and ensures conformity testing of products is performed in a reliable and reproducible manner.

The FPR will also require the Department to continue to carry out market surveillance activities to ensure that fertiliser products being made available on the market comply with the requirements of the Regulation.

Animal Welfare

Questions (1590)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1590. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he is taking to implement a co-ordinated national antiparasitic programme. [42772/21]

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Written answers

The Department established an antiparasitic resistance stakeholder group in June 2020 as part of a strategy to optimise animal health with regard to parasite control and to address antiparasitic resistance.

This stakeholder group provides a mechanism to guide and co-ordinate actions to address antiparasitic resistance in the animal health sector, and protect the efficacy of antiparasitics for the benefit of animal health and welfare.

The group is chaired by the Chief Veterinary Officer, has developed and agreed a plan currently containing 42 actions to address parasite control in a coordinated way at a national level.

Fishing Industry

Questions (1591)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

1591. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of financial support or revenue compensating package that the State will provide to the fish processing sector in Ireland to compensate for the serious loss of business and revenue due to Brexit; and the way this financial support compares to other affected EU Member States; and the financial supports provided to their fish processing sectors. [42828/21]

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Written answers

In March 2021, I established a Seafood Sector Task Force comprised of stakeholders from our fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors, together with representatives of coastal community development groups, coastal local authorities, State enterprise development agencies and others. The remit of this Task Force is to examine the implications arising from the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the UK for the Irish Fishing industry and coastal communities particularly dependent upon it. I have asked the Task Force to outline initiatives that could be taken to provide supports for development and restructuring so as to ensure a profitable and sustainable fishing fleet and to identify opportunities for jobs and economic activity in coastal communities dependent on fishing.

In July 2021, I received an Interim Report of this Task Force which made some limited recommendations pending its full report which I expect to receive in the Autumn. While the Interim Report did not feature any specific recommendations relating to seafood processing, I understand that the Task Force is including this sector in its examination of the impacts of the TCA. I anticipate a Final Report from the Task Force later this year outlining its full recommendations.

Fishing Industry

Questions (1592)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

1592. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the fish swaps carried out by vessels or EU member states that includes fish species and fish quota taken from the Irish EEZ in each of the years 2000 to 2021 inclusive in tabular form. [42829/21]

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Written answers

As requested, I attach fish swaps carried out between Ireland and EU member states for each of the years 2000 to 2021 (to date)  inclusive in tabular form.  Please note that the swaps for 2021 includes swaps with the UK as a Third Country.

Please note that reports on swaps that were carried out over the last five years (2016 - 2020) are available on the Department's website.

Fish Swap 2000

Wastewater Treatment

Questions (1593)

Colm Burke

Question:

1593. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to introduce a grant scheme for farmers who will be required to put in place waste water tanks separate from effluent holding tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42850/21]

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Written answers

I presume the Deputy is referring to the ongoing review of Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme (NAP). This gives effect to the requirements of the Nitrates Directive in Ireland and is a critical piece of legislation that all farmers implement on their farms including maximum fertiliser rates, manure storage requirements, periods when manures cannot be spread etc. No policy decisions have yet been made on changes to the requirements for farmers.

These regulations contain specific measures to protect against nutrient pollution arising from agricultural sources and this review will look at further practical ways that farmers can support this objective. The European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 605 of 2017 otherwise now as the Nitrates regulations are subject to review every 4 years with this to be concluded by year end.

The current regulations expire at the end of 2021 and a new Nitrates Action programme must be published at the beginning of 2022 with the revised regulations to remain in place until 2025.

It is important for all stakeholders to contribute to this important review and a public consultation process is underway. The closing date for receipt of responses is 20th September 2021. The consultation paper can be downloaded from the Departments’ websites at www.gov.ie/housing and www.gov.ie/agriculture.

Forestry Sector

Questions (1594)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1594. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the decision to refuse remuneration to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42885/21]

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Written answers

Project Woodland is founded on the principle of stakeholder involvement and I very much welcome the commitment shown by members who are actively partaking in the four Working Groups. These Working Groups afford members the opportunity to help shape the Department's response to licensing issues, to voice the concerns of those they represent and to help shape the future of Irish forestry policy. This is a voluntary commitment, which members undertake on behalf of those they represent, and while I very much appreciate their participation, there is no fee paid. This is standard for stakeholder groups engaging with the Department. 

Project Woodland has introduced a framework for examining all aspects of licence delivery, as well as looking to the future of woodland creation. As part of the Project a tender has recently issued to source legal and environmental expertise to carry out an in-depth review of the forestry licensing system. It will review the existing statutory framework for the licencing of forestry activities in relation to environmental and public participation obligations in order that practical advice can be provided to the Department on how to work more efficiently within the existing legal framework.

The business systems analysis currently being undertaken by an independent systems analyst will interact with and run parallel with the regulatory review, so that best possible system improvements are delivered.

Alongside Project Woodland, the Department continues to look at system improvements which will increase processing time. A recent improvement introduced in the preparation of the various Appropriate Assessment documents have allowed for increased output and I expect this year's licencing output to be significantly up on last year.

On afforestation, forestry licences are valid for three years and at present there are 5,700ha of approved forestry ready to plant.  The planting season normally runs from October to May annually.  The Department has also assigned additional resources to afforestation licencing to increase output for the planting season this year.

In June this year, the Department issued 415 forestry licences. This output was interrupted in July and August by the introduction of a new requirement for public participation under SI 293/2021, signed on 25th June  by the Minister for Housing Local Government and Heritage and which applies to all similar planning issues. However, last week licences returned  to expected levels with 110 new licences issued and we expect this increased output to continue through to the end of the year.

In conclusion, along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has overall responsibility for the sector, I would like to reiterate my commitment to supporting the forest sector and to building on the recent progress, so that a continual improvement in delivery is achieved.

Government Communications

Questions (1595)

Gary Gannon

Question:

1595. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Ministerial phones have been hacked or attempted to be hacked during the term of office. [42918/21]

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Written answers

There has been no reported hacks or attempted hacks on Ministerial phones during the term of office.

Government Communications

Questions (1596)

Gary Gannon

Question:

1596. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has ever used his personal phones for Government business; and if so, if the personal phones have been hacked during his term of office. [42936/21]

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Written answers

There has been no reported hacks or attempted hacks on Minister’s personal phones during the term of office.

Freedom of Information

Questions (1597)

Matt Carthy

Question:

1597. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of freedom of information requests responded to by his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of responses that included documents related to text messages and other phone message communications such as messages sent through an application (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42958/21]

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Written answers

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has responded to 2,369 Freedom of Information requests from 2016 to date. As requested, the numbers of these have been set out in tabular form in the table below. Information regarding the breakdown of the type or format of each communication covered in these responses is not recorded by the Department in the manner requested by the Deputy.

In order to identify the different types of format of record included in each response would require a manual examination of each of the 2,369 responses and the very many records included in each of their attachments. Such a detailed review would divert resources away from other important work.

Year

Requests received

2016

347

2017

391

2018

535

2019

381

2020

381

2021 (up to 07/09/2021)

334

Total

2369

Commissions of Investigation

Questions (1598)

David Cullinane

Question:

1598. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of each commission of investigation under the remit of his Department over the preceding decade. [42988/21]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has not held any commissions of investigation over the last decade.

Forestry Sector

Questions (1599)

Seán Fleming

Question:

1599. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a tree felling licence will be granted to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43030/21]

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Written answers

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine recently carried out a review of tree felling licence application currently assigned to the Ecology Unit. This review examined the application documents on hand, to ensure they were sufficient to enable the ecological assessment of the application. Where documents were found to be inadequate or missing, a request was issued to the applicant’s Registered Forester. A request issued to Mr. Cuddy’s Registered Forester requesting a Harvest Plan.

I am advised that a Harvest Plan has now been received and the application will shortly be examined by an ecologist. Once that assessment is complete, the application will be returned to the Forestry District Inspector for their recommendations. I expect a decision to issue in the next two months.

Ministerial Appointments

Questions (1600)

Réada Cronin

Question:

1600. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of formal and informal roles held by a person (details supplied) in the name of his Department or associated agency in the lifetime of this Government; when they were appointed to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43033/21]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department has no record of any formal or informal roles held by the person (details supplied) during the lifetime of this Government.

As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of the Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.

Government Communications

Questions (1601)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1601. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he and or his special advisers and or officials use or have used services (details supplied) to communicate in the past 18 months. [43065/21]

View answer

Written answers

In relation to the services listed by the Deputy, I can confirm that they have not been used by my officials or advisors and I have also not availed of the services referred to.

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