Wednesday, 24 Sep 2014

Written Answers Nos. 81-86

Fishing Vessel Licences

Ceisteanna (81)

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

81. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will raise the issue of the M/V Mary Kate with his EU counterparts, in both Germany and Holland and with the European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, in view of the fact that the owner of the fishing boat, purchased the vessel in Holland, which was certified as being seaworthy by German maritime experts, which subsequently failed stability tests here and is currently in dry dock here and unable to put to sea and for which the owner, who has lost €1.2 million, is under increasing pressure from financial institutions to settle his debt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35970/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am aware of the very unfortunate situation of the person in question and I am very sympathetic to his plight. However, the safety of fishing vessels, including matters relating to stability, is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. My Department has no function in safety matters, other than that the Sea Fishing Boat Licensing Authority must ensure that a fishing vessel has a Fishing Vessel Safety Certificate prior to licensing. The Authority is not empowered by law to vary or waive the legal safety requirements set down by the Maritime Safety Directorate of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (82)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

82. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the names of the property advisers used by Coillte. [35984/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the engagement of property advisors, are the responsibility of the company. Coillte has, however, advised that it uses a panel of approximately 80 auctioneers, valuers and estate agents across the country to offer advice on sales, conduct commercial negotiations and provide other property related services.

Coillte is currently compiling the list of property advisors, as requested, and contact will be made directly with the Deputy when the relevant information has been received.

Land Parcel Identification System

Ceisteanna (83)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

83. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total financial penalty imposed from 2009 to 2013, inclusive, on a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if the penalties in question have been recouped from any other payments due; if so, the details of this recoupment; the amount of penalties still owed by the applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36044/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As advised, the areas declared by the person named were reviewed as part of the comprehensive review of all land parcel data maintained on my Department’s Land Parcel Identification System and over-claims totalling 1.92 hectares were identified, which represented in excess of 20% of the area declared by the person named in each of the years 2009 to 2012, inclusive. While the total financial penalties imposed for the years 2009 to 2012 , inclusive, is €2,692.80, none of this sum has yet been recouped.

Forestry Grants

Ceisteanna (84)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

84. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will increase the forestry grant per acre rate for farmers beyond the current rate in the draft plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36102/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The new draft forestry programme covering the period 2014–2020 is currently undergoing a second round of consultation. Written submissions can be submitted up to the 13th October 2014. Further details are available on the Department's website www.agriculture.gov.ie

.

The process of drafting this new programme included a detailed review of existing grant rates which involved submissions from various representative groups. While higher grant rates were being sought by certain stakeholders, the Department’s own analysis showed that the proposed levels of support are sufficient at this point in time.

GLAS Establishment

Ceisteanna (85)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

85. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if GLAS payments will commence on 1 January 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36103/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The new GLAS Scheme is currently with the European Commission for approval, as part of the Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020. Once such approval is granted, my Department will move to open the Scheme for applications. I would hope to be able to do so before the end of the year, but this is entirely dependent on approval being secured in time from the EU. However, I am confident that the scheme will be open to applications in 2015 and I am making provision for up to 30,000 applicants in the first year. Payments for 2015 will be in respect of a part-year only, as is normal with the commencement of a new scheme like this, but contracts will then run for their full five year term from 2016. This means that entrants into GLAS next year will benefit from an additional part-payment in respect of 2015, on top of the usual five year contract.

Animal Welfare

Ceisteanna (86)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

86. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will amend the Animal Health and Welfare Act to remove the exemption of fox-hunting from the protections of the legislation in view of horrific instances of cruelty to foxes which have emerged recently. [36110/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 is sufficiently robust to deal with alleged cases of unnecessary suffering to an animal, including the recent case reported in the media. Such instances should be reported promptly to An Garda Síochána or to my Department’s Animal Welfare Helpline 0761 064408 for follow up action.