Written Answers Nos. 81-85
81. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the disadvantaged areas and single payment schemes. [43460/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas' scheme application on 23 April 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The EU Regulations also require that where it is not possible to make an accurate determination on the eligibility of a parcel or parcels of land by means of an assessment of the available satellite imagery, a field inspection must be undertaken to verify the eligibility of the land.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing inspection. Initial processing of this inspection identified a requirement to verify the eligibility of land declared by means of a field inspection.
On completion of this inspection the results will be finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
82. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason an overpayment occurred for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal under the 2013 disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43461/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that a land parcel declared by the person named contained ineligible features. Following an appeal from the person named, a visit by a Department official to verify the position was necessary to progress the matter. The person named was supplied with new maps when they were notified of the outcome of the inspection visit in a letter dated 20th June 2014. This letter also advised the person named of the right of appeal to the independently-chaired LPIS Appeals Committee.
83. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 409 of 4 November 2014, when the inspection in this case will be completed. [43464/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas' scheme application on 9 May 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The EU Regulations also require that where it is not possible to make an accurate determination on the eligibility of a parcel or parcels of land by means of an assessment of the available satellite imagery, a field inspection must be undertaken to verify the eligibility of the land.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. Initial processing of this inspection identified a requirement to verify the eligibility of land declared by means of a field inspection and my Department will endeavour to complete this inspection as soon as possible.
On completion of this inspection the results will be finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
84. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which conservation measures already adopted in the context of the Common Fisheries Policy or otherwise continue to improve fish stocks in traditional Irish fishing waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43470/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra85. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in the context of any discussions with his EU colleagues, particular reference continues to be made to the effectiveness of conservation measures throughout the European Union, with particular reference to different fish species or those deemed to be most vulnerable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43471/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.
The new CFP, which was negotiated to completion under the Irish presidency, will ensure real meaningful reform to how EU waters are fished in the future. The agreement is designed to ensure the long term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters, utilising best scientific advice as a key determinant in setting annual fishing quotas in the future.
As well as providing the framework for the long term sustainability of fish stocks around our shores, the new CFP will result in the continued economic viability of our fishing fleet and fish processing while supporting the communities that depend on a vibrant fishing industry. The package agreed will support the rebuilding of fish stocks in European waters and will allow for setting TACs and quotas to reflect catches when a landing obligation is introduced on the basis that for the first and subsequent years, discarding of that stock will no longer be allowed. In the longer term as fish stocks reach and are maintained at healthy levels, it will support increased fishing opportunities for our fishermen.
The policy provides for the development of measures appropriate for each region by the member States working with the stakeholders through the new Advisory Councils to devise and implement measures that work for the types of fisheries in the region and involving fishermen in the decision making process.
The reform also contains a commitment to continue and further strengthen conservation measures in the biologically sensitive areas, including that off the South and West coast of Ireland (new Irish box). This commitment will also protect the livelihoods of coastal communities by ensuring that fish are allowed to grow to maturity, are more plentiful and fished in an environmentally responsible manner
From the outset of the Common Fisheries Policy revision process, Ireland's overarching goal was to ensure a sustainable, profitable and self reliant industry that protects and enhances the social and economic fabric of rural coastal communities dependent on the seafood sector, while balancing these objectives with the need to safeguard fish stocks for future generations.
I take great comfort in the Commission's most recent assessment that the state of fish stocks in European Atlantic and nearby waters continues to improve which indicates that we are finally starting to see the benefits of prudent and responsible fisheries management practices. I am confident that we will continue to make significant progress as we commence the implementation of setting TACs under the new reformed CFP.
The Commission make clear that we must make progress on setting TACs in accordance with fMSY and clearly this will be a challenge over the coming few years.
Ireland is committed to implementing this ambitious policy in a rational and progressive manner. In line with the policy, we consider that we will need to phase in delivering fMSY if its immediate application seriously jeopardises the social and economic sustainability of the fishing fleet. We are facing the additional challenge of implementing the landing obligation and in line with the new CFP, increasing TACs to take account of the current levels of discards. Clearly the challenge will be managing this situation in tandem with delivering fMSY for all stocks by 2020 at the latest.
