Written Answers Nos. 41-60
41. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether a land use strategy is being developed within which aspirations for forestry, the protection of biodiversity, climate, renewables and the bioeconomy could be evolved in a coherent manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34169/23]
View answerLand use is a crucial climate mitigation measure available to Ireland, but there are significant challenges to be overcome to maximise the potential contribution from land use. As such, the Programme for Government committed to a land use review to ensure that optimal land use options inform all relevant Government decisions. The review aims to balance environmental social and economic conditions and involves a process of evaluation of the ecological characteristics of the land, consideration of emissions to air and water, carbon sequestration and climate adaption challenges.
The review is being overseen by a Steering Committee co-chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), along with representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Housing and Local Government (DHLGH) and independent nominees.
The land use review is being carried out in two distinct phases. Phase 1 was the Evidential Review, which was completed in March 2023. It provides an evidence base to determine the environmental, ecological, and economic characteristics of land types across Ireland. Phase 1 gathered evidence about stakeholders, existing policy, and environmental, social and economic characteristics of land use to date, providing Government with a holistic understanding of the current land use patterns to shape future polices and measures.
The framework to deliver Phase 2 of the land use review has been agreed by Government. Building on the evidence base from Phase 1, Phase 2 will identify appropriate policies measures and actions in the context of the governments wider economic, social and climate objectives.
42. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to establishing a dedicated forestry agency within his Department given the significant challenges in forestry and ongoing delays to the forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34613/23]
View answerI am acutely aware of the difficulties being experienced by forestry in Ireland over the last number of years. Establishing a State Agency will not change the complex legal framework within which regulations are require to operate, and I see no advantage in doing so. Significant work has been undertaken by my Department to date to address those challenges and forge a path towards a renewed vision for forestry in Ireland.
It is not possible to roll out the new forestry programme until State Aid approval is received from the EU Commission.
My Department is working closely with the EU Commission to seek to resolve any issues relating to the State Aid application.
Therefore considering the significant work undertaken by my Department to date, there are currently no plans to establish a dedicated Forestry Agency.
43. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 87 of 25 May 2023, for an update on plans for the introduction of measures to protect the sprat fishery, which is concentrated inside the six nautical mile zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34656/23]
View answerIn December 2018, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced that vessels over 18 metres would be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines from 1 January 2020. A transition period of three years for vessels over 18 metres targeting sprat was allowed to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated inside the six nautical mile zone. A Policy Directive was issued by the Minister to the independent Licensing Authority to give effect to these measures.
This decision to exclude vessels over 18 metres from trawling inside the six nautical miles has been the subject of extended legal proceedings further to a Judicial Review to the High Court taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the Policy.
Further to the final judgment of the Courts in the matter of the exclusion of 18 metre vessels from trawling inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines as set out in my reply to PQ No. 87 of 25 May 2023, I have approved the commissioning of updated scientific and economic advice from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara respectively on trawling in the waters inside 6 nautical miles. Once policy options are identified, I intend to proceed anew with a public consultation on this matter.
44. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the targeted number of forestry licences to be issued in 2023; the number of licences issued to date, by type; and if he intends to revise this target. [34736/23]
View answerAs Deputies may be aware the new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Programme which expired at the end of 2022. The new Programme will benefit farmers, rural communities and the overall climate and environment. Subject to State Aid approval from the European Commission and the completion of the ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment (SEA/AA) process, this will support the largest, most farmer-friendly investment in forestry in the history of the State.In recognition of the need for forestry activity to continue, and pending the launch of the new Programme, my Department engaged with the Commission last December to secure an interim solution which has led to the introduction of an Interim Afforestation Scheme, an Interim Forest Road Scheme and an interim Ash Dieback Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme via General De Minimis. This ensured that those with valid afforestation licences issued before the end of 2022 could avail of the current planting season under the higher grant and premium rates proposed under the new Programme. Likewise those with valid road licences and approvals under the Ash Dieback Scheme at the end of 2022 could avail of the higher grants and enhanced payment rates as proposed under the new Programme.
So, looking at progress to date, extensive work has been undertaken by the Department in this area and to date this year, a total of 288 applications have been approved under the interim Afforestation scheme (via general de minimis) representing 1,750 hectares. Under the interim roads scheme 126 approvals have issued representing 57,186 metres, while under the interim RUS scheme 23 approvals have issued for 83.75 hectares.Meanwhile the issuing of felling licences by my Department is not affected by the engagement with the European Commission. Indeed, to date,1,653 felling licences have issued from my Department, equating to 19,338 hectares. The volume of wood available from these licences amounts to 5,213,257m3. We have also issued 9 non-grant aided afforestation licences and 74 non-grant aided road licences.There is obvious merit in signaling to forest owners, landowners, and the forest sector our intentions as regards licensing which is why I intend to publish a new Forestry Licensing Plan once the new Forestry Programme has been approved at national and EU levels. This should cover the remainder of 2023 while also indicating plans for 2024.
45. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has monitored the percentage increase in the cost of fertiliser in each month for the past three years; if so, if he will provide this data, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33818/23]
View answerMy Department has no function in terms of fertiliser prices. It does ensure that fertiliser products placed on the market are in keeping with the regulatory framework. However, I have continued to monitor the market situation given the negative impact that high fertiliser prices have had on farmers’ expenditure and profitability.
The following CSO table sets out the relative change in monthly fertiliser prices for the period April 2020 to April 2023 as an index with reference to 2015 as the base year:
|
Month / Year |
|||
|
Apr-20 |
83.1 |
Nov-21 |
123.2 |
|
May-20 |
82.2 |
Dec-21 |
147.7 |
|
Jun-20 |
81.2 |
Jan-22 |
179.9 |
|
Jul-20 |
80.3 |
Feb-22 |
193.4 |
|
Aug-20 |
79.9 |
Mar-22 |
216 |
|
Sep-20 |
79.2 |
Apr-22 |
250.8 |
|
Oct-20 |
79.3 |
May-22 |
248.6 |
|
Nov-20 |
79.2 |
Jun-22 |
232.8 |
|
Dec-20 |
79 |
Jul-22 |
226.5 |
|
Jan-21 |
79.2 |
Aug-22 |
228.2 |
|
Feb-21 |
82.5 |
Sep-22 |
231.6 |
|
Mar-21 |
86.8 |
Oct-22 |
238.9 |
|
Apr-21 |
90.3 |
Nov-22 |
238.8 |
|
May-21 |
94.2 |
Dec-22 |
236.8 |
|
Jun-21 |
95.1 |
Jan-23 |
232.2 |
|
Jul-21 |
96.9 |
Feb-23 |
223.1 |
|
Aug-21 |
100.2 |
Mar-23 |
209.9 |
|
Sep-21 |
104.3 |
Apr-23 |
180.3 |
|
Oct-21 |
120.8 |
Base=100 (2015) Source: CSO
The CSO index shows that overall fertiliser prices have reduced 28.1% for the year April 2022 to April 2023 (the latest index available).
In recent weeks trade in fertiliser has picked up, but is still down on previous years. There has also been a decrease in fertiliser prices in recent weeks which should be reflected in the CSO statistics, once published.
There are no fertilisers manufactured in Ireland. Irish fertiliser companies blend a number of imported fertiliser products into different compositions suitable for agricultural use in Ireland. As a result, indigenous fertiliser companies are price-takers, dependent on global supply and demand and subject to Euro exchange rates against the US dollar and other currencies on the price they pay for fertiliser.
We continue to actively engage with the sector and monitor the situation over the period ahead. I will continue to support our farm families and their businesses in the time ahead.
46. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the anticipated steps needed in order to implement carbon farming as a reliable source of income for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34170/23]
View answerCarbon farming includes those farming practices that remove CO2 from the atmosphere and contribute to the climate neutrality objective. A certification system should enable more effective rewards for carbon farming facilitated through either public or private initiatives.
I am keen to see the implementation of a Carbon Farming Framework in Ireland. Some important groundwork needs to be completed in order to set up a quality and successful scheme which aligns with the EU Commission legislative proposal for a Union certification framework for carbon removals which was published on 30 November 2022.
The stated aim of the initiative is to ensure high-quality EU certified carbon removals, through a transparent and credible governance framework. I am cognisant of the fact that any activity at national level is in line with and complements this EU proposal.
I will start with the steps outlined in the EU certification framework. The Commission proposes that it:
(i) develops certification methodologies, in consultation with experts and stakeholders; and
(ii) harmonises the implementation of the certification framework.
It is anticipated that the EU scheme will come into full operation in 2030. Several milestones will have to be achieved before the scheme becomes active. Firstly, the EU Expert Group on Carbon Removals will complete its work on baselines in 2023. Secondly, the regulation will be published before the end of October 2024.
In 2025, the operational phase of the framework will commence on a phased basis, empowering accreditation and certification bodies, with the establishment of a registry and other frameworks.
The Commission proposal intends that in 2028, all land managers will have access to verified removal data and baseline data collection. In this context, my Department has provided finance for multiple research programmes and projects in this area. This will support real time data analysis will help plan, explore opportunities and prioritise actions to reduce emissions and enhance removals, while aligning with the EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework.
Nationally, there are knowledge and data gaps that will need to be bridged to facilitate carbon farming and that is why I have identified and funded a number of key research and demonstration activities that will also help to provide baseline information on key activities within the agricultural and land use sectors.
As regards the demonstration element - our recently launched country wide network of Teagasc supported Signpost Farms will showcase how best practice management techniques can be adopted on a wide range of enterprises and soil types.
These research and demonstration activities along with the recent establishment of the Carbon Farming Working Group, will allow us to address a number of requirements around carbon farming mainly in the areas of establishing baseline data, auditing, governance and address the need for the Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of carbon removals/reductions.
In the meantime, my department will continue to provide financial support for farmers providing eco system's services through a variety of EU and nationally funded schemes.
47. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department’s response to the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34713/23]
View answerBiodiversity is a keystone to our way of life and an important agenda item for my Department and I.
My Department have considered the recommendations related to Agriculture within the report on Biodiversity from the Citizen’s Assembly. In many cases, actions are already in place to deliver on the report's recommendations. In some cases small changes are required, however in other cases the full implications of the recommendation need to be considered as part of the Government's overall response to the report.
Biodiversity is currently supported through a variety of schemes and programmes at national and local level, and I will continue, along with my colleagues in Government, to strive to improve our biodiversity.
Maintaining and improving biodiversity is a core objective within Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) which commenced in January. The introduction of a new definition of land eligibility for direct payments under the CSP is already ensuring farmers are not restricted in their ambition to make changes for the benefit of biodiversity.
In addition, as part of the CSP, the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme, or ACRES, is building on the learnings arising from GLAS and the European Innovation Partnerships. ACRES will achieve increased environmental ambition through the introduction of results-based payments, and for those in ACRES Co-operation Project areas, a locally led approach.
46,000 farmers have already been approved to participate in ACRES.
Furthermore, the ambitious targets set for organic farming under the CSP, and the strong uptake we are already witnessing, will also contribute to meeting recommendations within the Citizens' Assembly's Report.
Outside the CSP, new initiatives such as the Native Woodland Establishment Scheme and the Agro-Forestry Scheme will also help towards achieving our tree planting goals under the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Other schemes, such as the Multi-Species Swards Measure and the Red Clover Silage Measure also aim to promote environmentally sustainable methods of farming which will not only have a positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions, but will also lead to enhanced biodiversity, both above, and below, ground while addressing a further recommendation within the report.
Support and engagement with farmers, the custodians of our landscape, will remain a critical factor in achieving our goals for biodiversity in Ireland.
48. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the progress of the independent review of the ash dieback scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34723/23]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that I announced the establishment of an independent review of my Department’s response to ash dieback in early June of this year. The group has a remit to review the existing and previous supports available to landowners with ash plantations funded under the National Forestry Programme, to engage with relevant stakeholders to seek their views on the current supports for ash forest owners and will make recommendations on these supports to me within three months.
The group comprises three members of the Project Board overseeing the implementation of Project Woodland:
• Ms. Jo O’Hara, former CEO of the Scottish Forestry Commission
• Mr. Jerry Grant, former Managing Director of Irish Water
• Dr. Matt Crowe, former Director of the EPA
Unfortunately, ash dieback is now endemic in our countryside. To date my Department has provided over €9.5 million in support to landowners with infected plantations by removing and replanting their sites with alternative species. We have also doubled the rates for this recently. As we approach 10 years of these supports, I have listened to the concerns of landowners, and that is why I have now tasked this independent group to review existing Department supports. Jo O’Hara, Jerry Grant and Matt Crowe have been immense assistance in helping to deliver Project Woodland and I am grateful for their willingness to take on this additional task.
I have ensured that the group has the resources and secretarial assistance to carry out their task in the short time period available to them and I look forward to receiving and considering their report in September.
49. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of prosecutions in respect of owners failing to chip their horses; the number of horses impounded for non-compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33477/23]
View answerCommission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/963, as transposed into national law via the European Union (Animal identification and Tracing) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 254 of 2023), sets out the rules on the identification and registration of equine animals.
This legislation provides that all equines must be properly identified with a passport no later than 12 months from the date of birth of the animal. However, proper identification of an equine cannot be established visually.
All equine passports issued since 1 July 2009 must record the number of the microchip implanted into the associated animal by a veterinary practitioner. All required identification data, including this microchip information, must be notified to DAFM by the issuing Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO) and must be recorded on the central equine database maintained by my Department. This establishes the link between the animal and its passport document. However, it is the physical identification document that is the definitive means of identifying an equine animal. The date of issuance of this document determines the requirement for the implantation of a microchip.
All equines issued with a passport prior to 1 July 2009 are deemed to be identified properly in accordance with this legislation and accordingly are not required to be implanted with a microchip.
The Department has validations built into its systems to ensure that legislative requirements in this regard are adhered to and that all equines issued with a passport from 1 July 2009 have been implanted with a microchip.
My Department endeavours on a ongoing basis to maximise the levels of compliance in equine identification. In that context, equine identification legislation is enforced by authorised officers across my Department's Regional Office network in conjunction with authorised officers in the Local Authorities, An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners and other relevant organisations. My Department does not maintain centralised data in relation to the levels of non-compliances for failure to microchip equines or the number of equines impounded as a result.
Furthermore, in line with the Programme for Government, the provision of a robust equine traceability system is a priority for my Department. My Department has recently developed an equine microchip and UELN (passport number) checking facility on the DAFM website, providing members of the public with a direct link to the central database to immediately establish whether an equine is recorded there. This facility can be accessed via the link EquineChipCheck.agriculture.gov.ie.
50. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is considering how there can be better interaction and co-operation between officials and agencies of his Department and other State agencies which are involved in inspections on farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34673/23]
View answerMy Department is in constant and regular contact with other state agencies involved in on-farm inspections in particular the Local Authorities, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Environmental Protection Agency. Officials hold regular meetings, webinars and direct contact with other state agencies for example in relation to cross reporting breaches found on farm with respect to the Conditionality requirements.
In addition, and in relation to the nitrates regulations, my Department currently sits on an interagency working group in relation to on-farm inspections and water quality. Furthermore, in the coming months, my Department will be assisting with the provision of training to local authority staff, as has been provided in the past, to ensure a consistent approach in carrying out on-farm inspections. My Department has data sharing agreements in place with many State agencies involved in farm inspections in order to minimise duplication and to best target resources.
My Department will continue to seek ways to improve its interactions and co-operation with other State agencies involved in farm inspections.
56. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to detail what further supports her Department is considering with regard to supporting the development of new festivals in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33506/23]
View answerI am conscious of the contribution that festivals make to the artistic and cultural life of local communities and how they make destinations more attractive to domestic and international tourists. I recognise also the challenges involved in arranging festivals, often involving significant financial outlay and commitments and a great deal of voluntary activity. Accordingly, my Department and the relevant agencies under its aegis support the staging of festivals.
In that regard, my Department runs a Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme annually. The Scheme is designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools which are not in receipt of funding support from the Government and other State Agencies. The 2023 Festivals and Summer School scheme was open for applications on the Department’s website until 9 June. The applications received are in final stage of assessment. Under this scheme in 2022 I allocated over €116,000 to 33 festivals across the country which was an increase of almost a third on the previous year's funding.
Applications are marked on the following criteria:
• Extent to which the projects meets the objectives of the scheme
• Realistic in terms of scale, costs, assistance sought and timeframe for delivery
• Demonstrate capacity to deliver project• Level of own or supporting contribution (non-state) towards the project
Terms and conditions of the scheme are available on my Departments website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/89595-small-scale-local-festivals-and-summer-schools/.
The Arts Council also provides financial support to a range of festivals, large and small, both single art form and multidisciplinary arts festivals. Strategic Funding supports organisations which are critical to the national arts infrastructure while the Festivals Investment Scheme is specifically designed to offer support to local/voluntary organisations to develop arts festivals.
As part of their Strategically Funded Festivals, Fáilte Ireland supports a diverse selection of larger festivals and events throughout the country. The Regional Festival Scheme, which they also support, is available to local community festivals and is administered by the Local Authorities. Each Local Authority manages their own application and grant process.
I do not propose to amend the structures for support of festivals but I envisage that, having regard to their scale and content, proposals for new festivals would be brought forward through these channels.
57. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has confidence in the RTÉ board, considering the board directly withheld information relating to requesting the resignation of a person (details supplied) and the subsequent drip-feeding of information in previous weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34690/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, I met last Thursday, 6th July, with the Chair of the RTÉ Board, Siún Ní Raghallaigh, the new Director General of RTÉ, Kevin Bakhurst, and the acting Deputy Director General, Adrian Lynch. It was a constructive meeting with a full and frank exchange of views.
I made clear at the meeting that I was not satisfied with the way in which information was being provided by the Executive to the RTÉ Board, to the public and to the Oireachtas. The drip feed of information over the past three weeks has caused further significant damage to the reputation of RTÉ and to the morale of the many dedicated and hard working professionals in the organisation who had no knowledge or part in these issues. Work needs to start on rebuilding the trust and confidence of all these stakeholders and I believe we have seen the first steps in this rebuilding, with the announcement of the new Director General's plan of reform on Monday.
The Board acted quickly in initiating the first Grant Thornton Report when the matter was brought to the attention of the Audit and Risk Committee in March. The Chair has apologised to me for not divulging at our meeting on 24 June that she had asked the former Director General to resign, citing legal advice. I understand her approach, given that this was a fast moving situation and a process had been put in place. It should be noted that the Chair advised me of the subsequent suspension of the Director General, which brought that process to conclusion.
My focus is now on the independent, root and branch examination of RTÉ that I announced last week and the work of the forensic accountant. The forensic accountant is now appointed and will commence work without delay. The forensic accountant will initially focus on the barter account and any other off-balance sheet accounts that may be identified.
This process will complement the work and reform of RTÉ that the new Director General set out in his statement of 10 July, his first day in the role.
It is important to give both reviews the time to fully address their mandate. The review on corporate governance and organisational culture will seek to identify any corporate governance and cultural issues that have led to the current revelations and will recommend actions to prevent their recurrence. I will expand the scope as necessary to enable a thorough and comprehensive examination of these matters.
The reviews will be overseen by two Expert Advisory Committees and I expect to receive their final reports within six months of the commencement of their work.
