Written Answers Nos 26-33
26. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to use the 5% of total allowable catch, TAC, under the Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, to facilitate small scale and inshore fisheries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48348/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new CFP Reform, for the first time, introduces a regionalised approach to fisheries management. We have moved away from the old system of an EU decision making approach centralised in Brussels. The new policy puts fishermen at the core of developing conservation measures for fisheries in which they are involved and also makes specific references to taking account of the needs of small scale and inshore fishermen. I will be working closely with my counterparts in the new regional forums to develop new conservation measures and other arrangements to take account of real issues for fishermen in our region.
I consider that the industry itself is best placed to advise me on the management of fishing opportunities, given the wide range of factors which contribute to the optimum usage of available quotas. In relation to the monthly allocation of fishing opportunities, the representative producer organisations in the industry, both fishermen and onshore processors, meet each month with my Department and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority to make recommendations to me in relation to the quota to be allocated in the coming month for whitefish and some pelagic fisheries. This includes the artisanal pelagic fisheries off the North West and South coasts.
In the development of policies in recent years concerning herring and mackerel, the support of small scale fishermen has been an important consideration. In the review of the Mackerel policy which took place in 2010 specific provision was made for small vessels using, trawls or gill nets, which is important to the local community when the mackerel come inshore in the summer months. Hook and line fishing for mackerel by small boats has been provided for since 2008. When I reviewed the herring access arrangements I made provision for small inshore vessels by providing an open access small boat fishery in both the North West herring fishery and the main Celtic Sea herring fishery. In addition to this, I have also increased the proportion of herring available in the Celtic Sea Sentinel fishery, which is an open access fishery for small vessels.
Many of the stocks fished inshore by small vessels are not subject to an EU TAC and quota management regime, although other requirements may be specified in EU or national law. For such non TAC and quota species, management measures applying only to Irish registered vessels fishing within our territorial waters are developed nationally. In the development of such national management measures, I always seek and fully consider any submissions from industry representatives. At present, I am reviewing the in excess of 200 submissions received from stakeholders arising from a consultation I recently undertook on national management measures for lobster and shrimp stocks.
I will continue to support small scale and inshore fishermen in consultation with the industry as the opportunities arise.
27. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to support agricultural development in less favoured areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48140/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Development Programme for Ireland has an allocation of €4.83 billion for the period 2007 – 2013 to fund various support schemes in the agricultural sector under the principles of competitiveness, improvement of the environment, land management and the development of the wider rural economy. Support for agricultural development in less favoured areas (LFAs) forms an important part of the Programme and these areas are supported both directly through LFA payments themselves and indirectly through schemes such as on farm investment and the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS), Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS) and Natura agri-environment schemes. Under the LFA scheme itself close on €1.43 billion has been spent to date, with €1.95 billion spent on the agri-environmental measures and €93.1m on the Natura Scheme.
Political agreement on the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was reached in June 2013. The agreement included an amount of €313 million in EU funding per year for Ireland under Pillar 2 (Rural Development). The text of the Rural Development regulation is being finalised and final agreement is not expected until late 2013. In advance of this, work on designing a new Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 is well underway. The regulation includes a menu of possible measures which may be included in the new RDP. Also under the new Direct Payment regime that will come into effect in 2015, there are a number of provisions which relate to less favoured areas of which the most significant is the issue of the redistribution of funds under Pillar 1 (Direct Payments) within a Member State.
Based on an analysis of disadvantaged areas, there is a clear correlation between areas with high levels of disadvantage and farmers who hold low value entitlements under the current Single Payment Scheme. While recognising the need to move away from an historical payments model, I resisted the proposal of the EU Commission to move to a ‘flat-rate’ payment by 2019. Such redistribution would have had a highly disruptive impact on Irish agriculture at a time when we are encouraging sustainable intensification in the agri-food sector as it strives to achieve the objectives set out in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy.
As an alternative, I proposed the ‘Internal Convergence’ model which, while initially retaining the link with current payments under the Single Payment Scheme, gradually moves all farmers towards a national average value over the five years of the new scheme. The purpose of this model is to achieve a gradual phased redistribution of payments between those who currently hold high value entitlements and those who hold low value entitlements. It will I believe introduce a fairer more equitable distribution of funds between farmers, will be of considerable value to farmers in areas of significant disadvantage, and will avoid the negative impact of a sudden move to a ‘flat-rate’.
28. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the penalty process for single farm payments and disadvantaged area scheme payments, as farmers are being unfairly penalised on lands that were formerly qualified but due to weather conditions and other factors beyond their control as well as these penalties and, in some cases, no payment, many of these farmers will be forced out of business. [48284/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayments under the Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other area-based schemes may be made only in respect of eligible land and applicants are obliged annually to declare the land parcels available to them; details of the eligible area of the land parcels are recorded on my Department’s Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). Details of the use and area claimed for each of some one million parcels on the LPIS system are registered and continually monitored by my Department.
It is the responsibility of all applicants to ensure that the details in each year’s application are accurate. Therefore, applicants are advised of the need to confirm their right to declare such parcels and to make the appropriate deductions (e.g. in respect of houses, farm buildings, roadways, scrub, etc.) to the area of eligible parcels, as necessary. Applicants under either/both the Single Payment Scheme and/or the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme are obliged to maintain the land declared in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition for the period 1 January to 31 December of the year of application.
The regulatory penalties applicable to the Single Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme are contained in EU Regulations 1122/2009 and 65/2011, respectively. While Member States have sought to have these penalties amended the EU Commission has steadfastly maintained its position and is unlikely to alter its views.
Having said that, with the relatively high rainfall over the last year, there was genuine concern among farmers in respect of their ability to meet the various cross compliance requirements. Insofar as EU rules allow, every effort has and is being made to take account of this and other factors during inspections and mitigating factors such as the inordinate level of rainfall during certain time periods have been taken into account.
29. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when liaison committees will be set up in commonage areas as agreed by him with representatives of farm organisations from counties Galway and Mayo in 2012 in view of concerns regarding commonage stocking rates, farmers exiting REP scheme 4, the conclusion of the 12 Bens scheme and the absence of compensation for special areas of conservation and Natura designations to many farmers in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48144/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CAP Reform package which I negotiated contains elements which could impact on those farming commonage lands. However, I am awaiting the adoption of EU Commission delegated acts; it is expected that discussion on these delegated acts will be concluded before year-end.
The issue of stocking levels on Commonages and the approach necessary to address what is recognised as a very complex matter which requires a very detailed action plan to cover the various issues, is one which has received widespread coverage.
The report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture is a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate regarding the issues surrounding commonage lands, the views of the various stakeholders having being sought and considered by the Committee. As I have indicated previously, while it is generally accepted that this is a very complex matter and requires a very detailed action plan to cover the various issues, I intend in the near future to set out proposals on how these matters will be progressed. My firm intention is that the process will be fully inclusive and that all stakeholders, particularly farmers and their representatives will be central to the process.
Commonage lands form an important part of the farming enterprises of many farmers, particularly along the West Coast. They also form an important part of the local environment from the point of view of bio-diversity, wildlife, amenities and economic returns e.g. tourism. However, there is a substantial risk of land abandonment as under-grazing becomes more of a problem. Under-grazing leads to an increase in ineligible land under Direct Aid and Agri-Environment Schemes and leads to risk of financial corrections being imposed by EU Commission. It is vital, therefore, to maintain the commonages in GAEC (Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition), or where there is under-grazing, to return the habitat to GAEC.
Taking all of these matters into account, it is my stated aim is to ensure that a practical solution is reached, which will ensure that the current farmers actively farming these lands are protected, that the land is maintained or returned to GAEC and that the requirements of the governing EU Regulations are met. In my view, this can best be achieved by working with the farmers directly managing the lands, relevant State Agencies, the farming organisations and all other interested stakeholders. With regard to the specific recommendations of the Committee contained in their Report, I can confirm that these will be included among the range of issues to be addressed in the process that will shortly be commenced by my Department.
30. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he has had to have further discussions with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and with Members of the Northern Ireland Executive regarding the establishment of the civic forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48700/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraParagraph 34 of Strand One of the Good Friday Agreement provided for the establishment of a consultative Civic Forum. Section 56 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 required the First Minister and the deputy First Minister, with the approval of the Assembly, to make arrangements for obtaining the views of the Civic Forum.The Forum was set up in October 2000 and was suspended along with the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2002. Following the restoration of devolved powers in May 2007, the then First Minister and deputy First Minister considered the position of the Civic Forum in the re-established devolved arrangements and commissioned a review of the effectiveness and appropriateness of its structure, operation and membership. In April 2013 the NI Assembly voted in favour of an SDLP motion to re-establish the Civic Forum. In my ongoing contacts with the Secretary of State and with the Northern Ireland Executive, including in the context of the North South Ministerial Council, most recently on 8 November, the Government has continued to support the re-establishment of the Civic Forum as a valuable and, as yet, unimplemented provision of the Good Friday Agreement. I welcome the recent consultations which Richard Haass, Independent Chair of the Panel of Parties, and Meghan O’Sullivan, Independent Vice-Chair of the Panel of Parties, have undertaken with community groups and with representatives of wider civil society in order to ensure that their views and perspectives are considered in the context of the Talks process.
I hosted a Reconciliation Networking Forum event in Dublin Castle on 30 October 2013 for people who are involved in community, peace-building, public policy or reconciliation work, to discuss what civil society, including the community sector, can and should do to meet the reconciliation challenges ahead. This is in line with the view of the Government that a strong and resilient civic society can play an important role in building a more reconciled and prosperous Northern Ireland.
I have previously put on the record of the Dáil that I support the establishment of a Civic Forum which would provide for a broad range of voices on community relations and stimulate informed public debate in relation to key societal challenges. On my regular visits to Northern Ireland, I continue the practice of engaging with civil society representatives when time permits. In my address to the SDLP Party Conference in Armagh on 8 November, I reaffirmed the commitment of the Government, as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to realise its full potential, including through the creation of a Consultative Forum.
31. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if further assistance will be provided as a matter of urgency towards the humanitarian efforts in the Philippines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48702/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra32. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise at the EU Foreign Affairs Council the urgent need for substantial aid to be provided in respect of basic necessities such as food, shelter and housing for the victims of the recent typhoon in the Philippines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48703/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra33. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has been in contact with the EU Commission in respect of the need to provide an adequate aid package at EU level to assist in the humanitarian efforts following the typhoon in the Philippines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48704/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 31 to 33, inclusive, together.
A total of over 9.6 million people have been affected by Typhoon Haiyan across 41 provinces in the Philippines, according to latest estimates, and almost 630,000 persons have been displaced. While the media is reporting unconfirmed estimates of up to 10,000 deaths, the official Government figures already stand in the thousands. The toll is likely to increase in the comings days as assessment teams get to remote areas which are without power and communication following one of the most powerful storms ever recorded.
On Sunday I announced emergency funding from Ireland of one million Euros towards the relief effort for Typhoon Haiyan and I separately authorised the dispatch of 103 tonnes of essential shelter items for distribution to families worst affected by the disaster. Ireland was amongst the first countries to respond to this disaster.
The one million Euros of Irish Aid funding will be made available through trusted partners and will go towards shelter, food, water and health. This is in addition to the deployment of stocks to the Philippines from our base in the UN Humanitarian Relief Depot in Dubai. In total 599 tents, 700 tarpaulins, 10,000 blankets and 880 ropes were dispatched to arrive in Cebu this morning (Wednesday 13 November) and will be distributed to affected communities by Plan Ireland. This contribution from Ireland is valued at €570,000. Irish Aid is actively considering a further airlift of essential shelter items in the coming days on the basis of forthcoming needs assessments .
My officials are in daily contact with UNOCHA, UNICEF and WFP on requirements for deployment of technical experts from the Irish Rapid Response Corps. This Corps has a dedicated cadre of specialists in the areas of information management, logistics, protection, engineering and technical sectors and we currently have eight specialists available and on standby for deployment.
Next week’s EU Foreign Affairs Council should provide an opportunity to discuss the broader EU effort in the Philippines and my officials are also in regular contact with the European Commission’s Directorate for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO). On 8 November, ECHO deployed a team of four experts to the Philippines to assess the impact of Typhoon Haiyan in coordination with national authorities, the UN, and the Red Cross Movement. It is expected that further humanitarian personnel will be deployed from ECHO’s office in Bangkok in order to boost support to the relief efforts. Following the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on 10 November, a further team of civil protection specialists has been also been deployed. ECHO has made available €3 million in emergency funding to support the immediate relief efforts in the areas worst affected by the Typhoon, in response to the Government of the Philippines’ appeal for international assistance.
