Written Answers Nos. 218-227
218. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in place within his Department to ensure that the regulatory function in relation to aquaculture is conducted separately from the industry development function. [2125/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMarine aquaculture licence applications are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act.
There is always a strict separation between my Ministerial role as decision maker in respect of aquaculture licence applications and my Ministerial duty to promote the sustainable development of the industry. This separation of duties is strictly observed.
219. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects to amend the aquaculture licence held by a company (details supplied) at Lough Altan following the company's breach of licence conditions; and if he will publish the amendment. [2126/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I have determined that an amendment to the aquaculture licence held by the Company in respect of its Lough Altan Hatchery would be appropriate. My Department is currently examining the nature of the proposed amendment and will be following up with the Company in relation to this matter.
220. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider establishing an independent assessment body incorporating appropriate environmental representatives to oversee the management and control of sea lice infestation on salmon farms. [2127/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSea lice are a naturally occurring marine parasite of fish. Sea lice only affect fish and cause no harm to humans.
The Marine Institute carries out regular inspections of sea lice levels on all fish farms in Ireland in accordance with my Department's sea lice Monitoring Protocol (2000) and National Pest Control Strategy (2008). The inspection regime is totally independent of the industry; data obtained as a result of inspections is published; and treatment trigger levels are set at a low level. These controls are widely accepted as representing best practice internationally. Accordingly I do not believe that the proposal from the Deputy would advance the scientific or practical challenges in managing this issue.
221. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the scientific advice available to his Department from the Marine Institute can be regarded as truly independent in view of the budgetary and staffing control which his Department has over the institute. [2128/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Marine Institute (MI) is a non commercial semi-state body, which was formally established by statute (Marine Institute Act, 1991) in October 1992. The Institute is the national agency responsible for marine research, technology, development and innovation (RTDI). The Institute works in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) and a network of other Government Departments, semi-state agencies, national and international marine partners. The vision of the Marine Institute is; “a thriving maritime economy in harmony with the ecosystem and supported by the delivery of excellence in our services“. In order to achieve this vision, the MI have six service areas; (1) Ocean Science and Information Services, (2) Marine Environment & Food Safety Services, (3) Fisheries Ecosystems Advisory Services, (4) Irish Maritime Development Office, (5) Policy, Innovation and Research Services and (6) Corporate Services. The Board of the Institute is fully accountable to the Government and produces its own annual report which is laid before the Oireachtas.
The Institute has developed a significant international reputation for the provision of objective independent scientific advice and plays a significant leadership role in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), a global organization that develops science and advice to support the sustainable use of the oceans. It has also been successful in attracting significant international research funding which is independently awarded and assessed and its research work (and papers) is widely published internationally. The institute participates regularly in high profile international bodies including various committees related to implementation of UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the law of the seas) and AORA the Atlantic Ocean research alliance. The Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Coordination and Support Action (AORA-CSA) is tasked with supporting the implementation of the Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean cooperation which was signed on 24 May 2013 during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU and in which the institute played a leading role. This Statement establishes a formal Atlantic Ocean Research Cooperation between the European Union, its Member States, the United States of America and Canada and partner countries that builds on existing initiatives and programmes to increase coherence and coordination of ocean research cooperation.
The Institute seeks to assess and realise the economic potential of Ireland’s 220 million acre marine resource; promote the sustainable development of marine industry through strategic funding programmes and scientific services; and safeguard the marine environment through research and environmental monitoring. The MI 3 Year Strategic Plan (2015-2018) is available at; http://www.marine.ie/Home/sites/default/files/MIFiles/Docs_Comms/MI%20Strategic%20Business%20Plan%20-%202015%20-%202018.pdf .
222. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number times his Department's aquaculture licensing division met with a company (details supplied) during 2015 and 2016; and if he will make the minutes of these meetings available. [2129/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s records indicate that the aquaculture licensing Division of my Department met with the Company referred to by the Deputy on six occasions over the period 2015-2016.
My Department’s records of these meetings are available to the public subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and related legislation.
223. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive an AEOS payment. [2142/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced their AEOS 2 contract on 1 September 2011. Payments issued for the 2011- 2015 Scheme years.
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 take place. As all AEOS 2 participants will be receiving their final payments under the scheme, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. Officials are working through these files and payment will issue as soon as possible.
224. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is conducting a review of the network of regional veterinary laboratories; the status of any review being undertaken; if he will maintain the current regional veterinary laboratory network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2150/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department tasked a working group, led by Prof. Alan Reilly, and comprising senior officials with undertaking a review of its laboratory services, including both its Central Laboratory complex in Backweston, Co. Kildare and its network of Regional Laboratories in Athlone, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick and Sligo. The ultimate objective of this review is to assist the Department in developing a long-term strategy for its laboratories that builds on existing capability and expertise in animal health, food safety and plant sciences, and ensures that it achieves both operational and scientific excellence.
The Working Group has presented a report to the Department, which makes recommendations on:
- Oversight and co-ordination of the laboratories activities
- Re-organisation of Divisions and support functions within the Central Laboratory complex
- Options for the future development of the Regional Laboratories – with a view to improving disease investigative and surveillance capability but with the over-riding imperative of maintaining and enhancing services to farmers and
- Human resources management within the laboratories - with a focus on grading structures, career development opportunities and workforce planning
Consultation on this report has commenced with the Department’s laboratory-based staff. Further consultation will then take place with other stakeholders. A decision on implementation of these recommendations will await the outcome of this consultative process. In addition, as regards the Regional Laboratories, any decision will also be informed by a cost-benefit analysis of the various options that have been proposed.
225. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the publicjobs.ie recruitment campaign for technical agricultural officers; the place on the order of merit from stage 1 of candidates currently being called to stage 2; the number of candidates that have been employed; the number being recruited currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2151/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe competition to recruit Technical Agricultural Officers was administered by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Department. The post was advertised on 15th April 2016 with a closing date of 5th May.
All applicants were invited to participate in online psychometric testing and the top 150 candidates were invited to attend for retest. Candidates who successfully passed the retest were invited to interview and a panel of 65 candidates was formed.
Offers of appointment are made strictly on the basis of a person’s placing on the panel in conjunction with the candidate’s preferred location as originally indicated on the application form. In the event that a candidate refuses an offer of appointment to a specific location, the candidate retains his placing on the panel but forfeits the right to be offered any further vacancy in that location. Where a candidate accepts an offer of appointment, he/she undergoes a clearance process that includes verification of qualifications and experience and Garda vetting.
To date the Department has notified 38 vacancies to PAS and the process of offering positions to persons on the panel is underway. 15 candidates have taken up employment in the Department while a further 15 candidates have accepted offers of appointment and are undergoing the clearance process.
It is envisaged that further vacancies at Technical Agricultural Officer will arise and that a second batch of candidates will be called to interview in due course.
226. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the future of Ireland's fishing functions in a post-Brexit, newly configurated EU context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2190/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra227. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position of his Department with regard to the fisheries industry in a post-Brexit context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2191/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 227 together.
The outcome of the UK Brexit referendum last year is obviously foremost in our minds and in Government it is very much a priority. It poses enormous challenges for the Irish agri-food sector as a whole including the fisheries sector. However, potentially, depending on what the UK seeks to do once they trigger Article 50 later this year, there are additional and unique challenges for our fishing industry.
Fish stocks are a shared resource managed under the Common Fisheries Policy of the European Union. Nearly all of the main commercial stocks upon which the Irish fisheries sector is reliant are shared to some degree with the UK. In addition, many of our traditional fishing grounds lie within UK waters. Any change to the existing situation could have very serious negative consequences for our fleets.
My Department, together with its agencies and stakeholders, has been considering all of the potential impacts, looking at the areas where the greatest risks will arise and on which we will need to focus when the negotiations begin. Ensuring that our fishing interests are reflected in the overall EU negotiating position will be a key priority.
I have established a dedicated Brexit unit in my Department, and a consultative committee of stakeholders has been convened in order to ensure a full exchange of information as negotiations proceed. I have also organised a dedicated Dialogue on Sea Fisheries for the 1st of February to enable stake holders to meet and discuss the impact of Brexit on the fishing industry.
I will remain in close contact with fisheries stakeholders as the issues develop and work with them and my fellow fisheries Ministers in the EU to ensure that we are all fully prepared for what are likely to be extremely complex negotiations.
