Finian McGrath
Ceist:203. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan regarding a suspected fraud. [18000/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraGarda Investigations
Ceisteanna (203)
Freagraí scríofa
I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána is aware of the matter referred to which is under investigation. I am further informed that Gardaí are continuing to liaise with the complainant.
Harbour Authority Properties
Ceisteanna (204)
Finian McGrath
Ceist:204. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the decision on the proposed parking plan at Howth, County Dublin and the need to protect local jobs. [17787/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy is referring to the proposed introduction of pay parking within the Fishery Harbour Centre at Howth.
I am reviewing all aspects of the matter at present. I can assure the Deputy that I will take account of all aspects of this matter - the views of the various harbour users, the potential return on the State’s investment, the possible impact on the harbour businesses and recreational users, the impact on the local economy and local jobs, and the impact on overall traffic management within the Fishery Harbour - in coming to a decision.
Forestry Premium Payments
Ceisteanna (205)
Joe Carey
Ceist:205. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an applicant (details supplied) will expect forestry premium payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17788/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The forestry premium payment for this applicant has been processed and the payment will be lodged to his bank account in mid-April 2013.
Animal Welfare
Ceisteanna (206, 214)
Ann Phelan
Ceist:206. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the code of ethics as set out under the Animal Welfare Bill; when the code of ethics will be published; what it contains; if the code of ethics is merely a guideline; if it will create new legislation; the persons who will have to abide by the code; the way the code of ethics will secure the safety of animals particularly in respect of the practise of digging out foxes and hares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17789/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnn Phelan
Ceist:214. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in regard to the practice of digging out of foxes who have gone to ground, if he has stated that the Animal Welfare Bill will include the strict application of a code of ethics; if he will outline the contents of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17949/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 214 together.
The Animal Health and Welfare Bill, which is currently before the Oireachtas, contains provisions relating to the prohibition of cruelty to animals at Section 12 of the Bill. Section 25 of the Bill provides for the adoption of Codes of Practice for the purposes of providing practical guidance relating to any of the purposes of the Act, including cruelty to animals. Sub-section 25(7) states that a failure to observe a Code of Practice (where there was a Code of Practice in effect at the time of the commission of an offence) is admissible in evidence before a court.
With regard to the Codes of Practice, the Bill provides for a consultation process in advance of codes being adopted. The codes will apply to all relevant persons involved in the area to which the codes refer and it is my intention to ensure that the codes, when adopted, will be kept under review.
Food Labelling
Ceisteanna (207)
John Browne
Ceist:207. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the tests being carried out to ensure that correctly labelled fish is being sold in supermarkets here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17795/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Responsibility for co-ordinating the enforcement of food legislation in Ireland rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and is discharged by Official Agencies who operate under Service Contract to the FSAI. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is one such Official Agency and it has responsibility for official controls, including labelling, at the retail stage.
Grant Payments
Ceisteanna (208)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:208. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review a case in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17797/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned is an applicant under the TAMS Sow Welfare Scheme and applied for a grant prior to the revision of the scheme which I announced on 27 June 2012. At this time I made provisions for significant improvements under the revised scheme in order to further assist pig farmers to meet the new EU animal welfare requirements for the sector.
However, only persons who had not commenced work under previous schemes were entitled to cancel grant applications and re-submit a new application under the revised scheme. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to alter the terms of the grant in this case.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications
Ceisteanna (209)
John O'Mahony
Ceist:209. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on an agri environment option scheme 3 application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17825/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 6th December 2012 and an acknowledgement letter has issued to the person named. The processing of all applications is nearing completion and I expect to be in a position to inform all applicants of the outcome in the next few weeks. In the event that any queries arise on the application of the person named during this process officials in my Department will be in direct contact with the person named.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (210)
Heather Humphreys
Ceist:210. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri environment option scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; when he expects the new system for processing AEOS penalties to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17880/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st November 2010 and full payments totalling €208.32 and €2,980.46 issued in respect of 2010 and 2011 respectively.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. This application was also randomly selected for an on farm inspection which took place in October 2012. During this inspection non-compliances were identified in relation to the Wild Bird Cover, Additional New Hedgerow Establishment and Broadleaf Tree Planting actions which resulted in a penalty being imposed. On 13th February 2013 a letter issued to the person named notifying him of this penalty. Payment due in respect of the 2012 scheme year will issue shortly.
Fisheries Protection
Ceisteanna (211)
Paschal Donohoe
Ceist:211. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the presence of a trawler (details supplied) in Irish waters and that the span of its nets is as big as Croke Park and the potential impact it will have on fish stocks in Irish waters; if there are any steps to take to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17905/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that the vessel in question is a licensed vessel from an EU Member State. The responsibility for licensing of the vessel and the fishing opportunities to which it has access is a matter for that Member State.
Control of the vessel within Ireland's Exclusive Fisheries Zone is a matter for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, operational issues concerning sea fisheries control are a matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service.