Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:388 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will set out the legislative and administrative priorities of his Department following his appointment as Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Ministerial Policy.
The following are the legislative and administrative priorities of my Department.
Legislation in Progress
National Milk Agency Bill, 1991.
Irish Land Commission (Dissolution) Bill, 1989.
Legislation in Preparation
Amendment of Milk and Dairies Act, 1935.
Amendment of Dairy Produce Act, 1924.
Amendment of Racing Board and Racecourse Acts, 1945 and 1975.
Amendment of National Stud Act, 1976.
Amendment of Greyhound Industry Act, 1958.
Amendment of Animal Remedies Act, 1956.
Single Market
Implementation of EC directives, particularly in the animal health, food and livestock areas.
Priorities
GATT negotiations.
CAP reform.
National Development Programme for Agriculture and Food.
PESP commitments.
Food promotion.
Research and development.
Rural development.
Improved Structural Fund Schemes.
Animal disease eradication.
Disadvantaged areas appeals.
Premium payment systems.
Improved intervention controls.
Information technology.
Role of State bodies.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:389 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the precise actions he intends to take now to promote equality within his Department in general and in particular to promote qualified women to higher posts within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The framework within which equality for all staff is to be implemented is set out in the equal opportunity policy and guidelines for the Civil Service and my Department is committed to full implementation of these.
Equality is promoted within my Department by the provision of training, development opportunity and promotional access for all staff regardless of sex or marital status. Particular encouragement is given to female staff to sit on promotional interview boards and to participate in the in-service training courses including certain courses which are specifically designed for women managers.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:390 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will define the new and existing responsibilities of the Minister of State within his Department following the recent changes in the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have assigned the following functions to the Minister of State in my Department:
(a) Mr. John Browne TD
Office of the Food Industry
Disease eradication programme (including TB and brucellosis)
Other veterinary matters (including warble fly, research laboratories, marts, local slaughterhouses, local veterinary services, hormones, antibiotics, precautions against disease and livestock transport)
Livestock breeding (including AI, progeny and performance testing, and milk recording but excluding horses).
(b) Mr. Liam Hyland TD
Rural development, organic farming and environment.
Land policy
Farm improvement programme, farm modernisation scheme, programme for western development, western drainage and headage
Office of Horticulture
Plant-health and inputs (including plant breeders' rights, pesticides, fertilisers, lime, machinery, safety, flax and hops).
I retain responsibility for EC aspects of the above functions.