Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:1159. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to fund the national reserve in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19367/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBasic Payment Scheme Administration
Ceisteanna (1159)
Freagraí scríofa
EU Regulations governing the National Reserve provide that funding for the replenishment of the Reserve may be obtained by means of surrender of entitlements that remain unused by farmers for two consecutive years and by claw-back derived following the transfer of entitlements without land, which applies to the sale of entitlements without land in Ireland. The Regulations also provide for the application of a linear cut to the value of all farmers’ entitlements to replenish the National Reserve. A linear cut to the value of all Basic Payment Scheme entitlements has provided a fund of just over €5 million for the National Reserve in 2017.
Decisions in relation to the National Reserve in 2018 will be made once the position on potential funding at the end of 2017 has been established. Consultation between Department officials and the Direct Payments Advisory Committee comprising members of the main farming organisations, agricultural education and farm advisory bodies takes place annually as part of the decision making process for the National Reserve.
Departmental Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (1160)
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
Ceist:1160. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when recruitment of staff to the veterinary laboratories will commence; and his plans to return staff numbers to previous levels. [19371/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Recruitment to the Department's Veterinary Laboratories is an ongoing process. For example, appointments have most recently been made at Research Officer (veterinarian), Laboratory Analyst and Serological Assistant grades, and a confined competition is underway to establish a panel for Laboratory Analyst positions in Cork. Resource requirements are considered in light of the overall needs of the Department, in line with guidelines set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme
Ceisteanna (1161)
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
Ceist:1161. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to continue the agriculture cashflow support loan scheme in budget 2018. [19372/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The “Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme” was developed by my Department in co-operation with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), making €150 million available to farmers at interest rates of 2.95%. One of my priorities has been to address the impact of the change in the sterling exchange rate and lower commodity prices in some agriculture sectors. Distributed and administered through AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank, the Scheme provides farmers with a low cost, flexible source of working capital and will allow them to pay down more expensive forms of short-term debt, ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of viable farming enterprises.
SBCI uses the €25 million of public funding provided by my Department to leverage the total amount of €150 million and, along with the European Investment Fund’s ‘COSME’ (the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs), is providing the guarantee required to underpin the loan’s flexibility and lower the cost of the loans. My Department’s contribution of €25 million includes €11 million from the EU’s ‘exceptional adjustment aid for milk and other livestock farmers’. It was this exceptional aid package which facilitated the Scheme from an EU State Aid perspective and additional funding is not possible under this particular arrangement. Other sectors, such as tillage and horticulture, were facilitated by national funding under the ‘de minimis’ State Aid rules.
I am pleased at the very positive reaction by farmers to the Scheme, which has proved that significant demand exists for low cost flexible finance. I am currently meeting with the Chief Executives of the participating banks to discuss this and other issues relating access to finance in the agri-food sector. I am asking the banks to respond positively to this demand by reducing interest rates and providing more flexible terms for cash flow loans in the future.
Greyhound Industry
Ceisteanna (1162)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:1162. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the greyhound industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19399/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Bord na gCon is a commercial State body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry.
Greyhound racing is a traditional industry and a sport which plays an integral role in rural society and economy. In 2010 a report by Jim Power, Economic Consultant, commissioned by Bord na gCon, estimated that the greyhound racing industry was responsible for sustaining in excess of 10,000 full and part-time jobs directly and indirectly, many in rural communities, and injected an estimated €500 million into local economies.
Successive Governments have recognised the importance of the greyhound racing industry, and have supported them through legislation and policy initiatives down through the years.
Since 2002, well in excess of 10 million people have attended greyhound racing meetings.
Annual attendances at greyhound racing declined over the course of the recession. Greyhound racing was not immune from the impact of the downturn and in particular the reduction in consumer disposable income, emigration and the collapse in the construction industry. Also, over the period of the recession Government support for the industry was reduced significantly which coincided with the effects of the economic downturn. This has been restored in recent years.
Bord na gCon has informed me that the consumers and fans of greyhound racing are now consuming the sport differently, with the growth in social media and online distribution of racing generally, audience engagement is expanding. Bord na gCon state that attendance at greyhound stadia is beginning to stabilise in more recent times and saw an increase of 1% in 2016. Clearly, however, the sector is struggling financially, and there is much more to do to stabilise its finances, increase revenues and improve its financial viability.
Bord na gCon recognises that the welfare of the greyhounds is paramount and it adopts the best identified practices to ensure that the highest welfare standards are achieved. During 2016 circa €1.8m was spent by Bord na gCon in support of Regulatory and Welfare efforts. Bord na gCon will continue to enhance all aspects of greyhound welfare and ensure that the highest standards of performance and consistency are delivered when formulating strategy and appropriate policies.
As reported on the Bord na gCon website www.igb.ie, Bord na gCon, through its Welfare Officers, conducted in excess of 500 kennel inspections during 2016 and imposed 23 sanctions.
The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust, (which is jointly funded by Bord na gCon and contributions from owners), is primarily focused on the preparation of greyhounds for rehoming, including transportation, to the various European and U.S. Rehoming Agencies along with providing assistance to Private Greyhound Rehoming Agencies.
Bord na gCon has informed me that Bord na gCon contributed the sum of circa €95,000 to the Irish Greyhound Trust Fund in 2016 and in addition to this provided the sum of €11,000 towards the neutering/spaying costs of greyhounds which were rehomed through the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust Rehoming Scheme in 2016.
During 2015 and 2016 the Trust was successful in securing homes for 1,675 retired greyhounds, (694 were rehomed through agencies assisted by the Irish Greyhound Welfare Trust).
Where any breaches of welfare standards are identified under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011, Bord na gCon has advised me that it takes stringent actions and prosecutions ensue in accordance with the Act. More can be done, and I have recently introduced the heads of a bill that will strengthen the Board's regulatory powers.
Aquaculture Licence Applications
Ceisteanna (1163)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:1163. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on an aquaculture and foreshore licence application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19403/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The application for an aquaculture licence referred to by the Deputy is in respect of a site located in Castlemaine Harbour, which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 site).
All applications in ‘Natura’ areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. My Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is engaged in a comprehensive programme of gathering the necessary baseline data appropriate to the Conservation Objectives of ‘Natura’ areas. This data collection programme is substantially complete. This is followed by data analysis and the setting of appropriate Conservation Objectives by the NPWS. Once this process is complete all new, renewal and review aquaculture applications can be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.
The Appropriate Assessment of Castlemaine Harbour has been completed and the relevant licensing determinations have been made based on applications to hand at the time of the assessment.
The specific application referred by the Deputy was submitted to my Department subsequent to the carrying out of the Appropriate Assessment process for this harbour. Accordingly, it was not possible to assess this application against the designated Conservation Objectives for the harbour.
The optimum method for appropriately assessing applications by individual operators, who were not included in the initial overall assessment procedure, is under active consideration by my Department. The process must comply with best scientific practice and be achieved in a manner which will be acceptable to the national authorities and to the EU Commission.
In the meantime, the assessment procedures agreed with the EU Commission require Appropriate Assessments in respect of aquaculture activities to be carried out by the national authorities and unilateral departure from these arrangements is not possible.
Every effort is being made to expedite the conclusion of this matter as soon as possible.
Harness Racing Industry
Ceisteanna (1164)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:1164. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the report by a company (details supplied) into harness racing here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19405/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Indecon report on the Harness Racing Sector is well advanced and I understand that it is due to be submitted to the Department shortly.
Fish Quotas
Ceisteanna (1165)
Noel Grealish
Ceist:1165. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider changing the criteria relating to the allocation of herring and mackerel quotas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19435/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to mackerel quota, as the Deputy may be aware, I received a request from the Irish South and West Fish Producer Organisation to allocate the increase over 2016 of Ireland’s mackerel quota for 2017 entirely to the Polyvalent Segment on a 1 year pilot basis in exchange for the recipient vessels forgoing demersal fishing in order to gauge the impact on the demersal vessels.
This matter has generated a lot of discussion in the industry and the Minister has received many representations on the matter. After having carefully considered the matter, I decided that, without prejudice, there is a case for a review of the policy on allocations between the RSW Pelagic segment and the polyvalent segment of the fleet, taking account of request by the IS&WFO. In that regard, I decided that I am restricting consideration to the increased quota for Ireland in 2017 over that in 2016.
It is important to note that I have not made any decision at this time to change the allocations between the segments in respect of this part of the quota. All relevant issues will be carefully evaluated and subject to a full consultation with stakeholders before I decide if any amendment to the policy is justified for the proper and effective management of the mackerel fishery.
The public consultation process concluded on 28th February 2017 and 353 submissions were received. All submissions are currently being evaluated.
To support transparency in this process, it is intended that all views received on the Consultation Document and/or any clarification provided will be publicly made available on the Department’s website. Following the closure of the formal consultation process, any meeting that may be held with stakeholders will be open to all interested stakeholders that have engaged in the public consultation.
In relation to herring quota, as the Deputy may be aware, the Herring fishery consists of the Atlanto-Scandian Herring (ASH) Fishery, the Celtic Sea Herring (CSH) Fishery, the North West Herring (NWH) Fishery and the Irish Sea Herring Fishery. Revised policy in relation to the management of herring stocks was announced in June 2012 following intensive consultation with industry and other key stakeholders
The Deputy may be particularly interested in the NWH fishery. In this regard, the access arrangements for vessels to the main fishery were established in 2012 based on track record in 2010 and earlier years. This is an autumn fishery and vessels eligible for this fishery are allocated an annual allocation. Up to 5% of the quota is also made available for vessels under 20m without a track record on the basis of modest monthly catch limits. However, this policy for North West herring was set aside on an exceptional basis in 2016 following consultation with stakeholders to facilitate a wide scale scientific stock assessment, the main focus of which was to sample the stock. With this in mind, the overall adjusted quota for Ireland in 2016 was 2,703 tonnes and for 2017 is 2,112 tonnes. Arrangements for the 2017 North West herring fishery to support continued data collection will be considered in consultation with stakeholders.
Quotas are made available to the owners of licensed sea fishing boats by me in line with the provisions of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006 as amended. It is a matter for the owners of fishing vessels to decide the port of landing and I have no role in that regard.
Fishing Industry
Ceisteanna (1166)
Noel Rock
Ceist:1166. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions that need to be undertaken to protect illegal workers in the fishing industry from exploitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19447/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The matters that arose in relation to non-EEA workers in the fishing industry required a cross-Departmental and cross-agency response as different Departments and Agencies had the capacity to bring the necessary expertise, legislative powers and resources to bear on the issues that were brought to light. To this end an inter-Departmental Task Force was formed by the Government.
The report of the Government’s Task Force on Non-EEA Workers in the Irish Fishing Industry recommended the establishment of a sector-specific Atypical Worker Permission system which is an extension of the existing Atypical Worker Permission schemes administered by the Department of Justice and Equality (Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service – INIS). The purpose of this scheme is to provide a structured and transparent framework for the employment of non-EEA workers within defined segments of the Irish commercial sea-fishing fleet. This system was established and is operated through the co-operative efforts of my Department, my colleagues the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
In tandem with the development of this scheme under the aegis of my colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, 11 Departments or Agencies were brought together and developed a “Memorandum of Understanding for the Monitoring and Enforcement of the terms of Employment of non-EEA crewmen in parts of the Irish Commercial Sea Fishing Fleet pursuant to the establishment of the Atypical Worker Permission scheme”. Up to that point inspections on vessels were carried out primarily by the Marine Survey Office and the Health and Safety Authority. Inspectors of the Workplace Relations Commission, based on newly acquired powers were trained and equipped, with support from a number of marine agencies, to board vessels and carry out their own inspections. In the period 1st June, 2016 to 1st April, 2017 the WRC had inspected 80% of the fleet that comes within the aegis of the Atypical Worker Permission Scheme. I am informed the WRC objective is to inspect the remainder by Summer 2017.
My Department established and hosts a Central Depository, the purpose of which is to register the eligible contracts and supporting documentation required under the Scheme and to ensure that the ceiling of 500 contracts is not exceeded in any 12 month period. The Department of Justice and Equality retains responsibility for immigration matters under the scheme while the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) put in place and led by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with relevant State enforcement bodies provides for a rigorous and effective inspection system.
GLAS Payments
Ceisteanna (1167)
Joe Carey
Ceist:1167. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding payments under the 2016 basic payment scheme and the 2015 and 2016 GLAS schemes; the status of GLAS payments to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19474/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has been paid in full in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases in relation an error with 2016 Basic Payment Scheme. Department officials are reviewing this issue to allow the application to be further processed for payment in respect of the 2016 scheme year.
State Bodies
Ceisteanna (1168)
Clare Daly
Ceist:1168. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the filling of the vacancy for the CAO of the Irish National Stud; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19475/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Irish National Stud Company Limited is a commercial State Body. The appointment of a Chief Executive Officer is a matter for the Board of the Irish National Stud, subject to the consent of the relevant Ministers.
The INS has informed me that the selection process is underway and it is expected that second round interviews will take place shortly.
Live Exports
Ceisteanna (1169)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1169. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to an issue regarding live animal exports to non-EU states (details supplied); his views on the issues raised in this article; if he will ensure that all live animal exports meet the minimum standards set down by the EU before export agreements are reached with Egypt and Iran; the steps he will take to improve inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19491/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Live exports are a vital component of Ireland’s livestock industry. There are market opportunities for animal exports which are separate from and additional to opportunities for meat and meat product exports. The Deputy can be assured that both I and my Department will continue to make every effort to promote and maintain an environment in which live exports can take place in both an economic and sustainable manner, with due regard for the welfare of all animals exported.
My Department implements strong controls on the welfare of animals being exported, in particular through a comprehensive legislative framework relating to the transport of animals by sea (The Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016 (S.I. 356 of 2016)). Indeed, Irish legislative standards for sea transport are recognised by the EU Commission as being amongst the most effective and stringent legislation in force as regards transport by sea. Only ships approved by my Department can load cattle for export from Ireland. Cattle being exported are monitored during the prescribed isolation period by Veterinary Inspectors from my Department and in some cases by Official Veterinarians from the importing countries. This is in addition to work carried out by Private Veterinary Practitioners who carry out the testing required prior to export to enable certification. Animals are inspected and certified by Official Veterinarians from my Department with regard to their health status and fitness for travel before being loaded onto trucks or livestock vessels departing from Ireland. In addition, due regard is taken to weather conditions in respect of long distance transport and at times my Department makes arrangements to have veterinary assessment during transport and at point of arrival.
I am aware of the reports referred to by the Deputy. However, it is not practicable for my Department to impose EU standards on third countries. My Department will continue to work closely with the people involved in the live export business, with other EU Member States and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), with a view to improving animal welfare (including slaughter) practices worldwide.
Animal Welfare
Ceisteanna (1170)
Catherine Martin
Ceist:1170. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of prosecutions initiated under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 since its introduction in March 2014 by category (details supplied); and the number of these initiated prosecutions which have been finalised in court with respect to the categories. [19495/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 is the main legal instrument for applying animal welfare standards and came into operation in March 2014. The Act puts clear obligations on owners regarding the need to look after animals under their care.
My Department's officials are assisted in enforcement of the Act by An Garda Síochána, the Customs and Excise service, the NPWS together with authorised officers of the ISPCA, the DSPCA and the Turf Club.
The number of prosecutions initiated under the Act (not including those initiated by An Garda Síochána) is as follows:
|
Total Cases by Organisation |
|
|
DAFM |
18 |
|
DSPCA |
4 |
|
ISPCA |
44 |
|
Investigated jointly by DAFM and ISPCA |
1 |
|
Investigated jointly by DAFM and NPWS |
1 |
|
Investigated jointly by ISPCA and Gardaí |
1 |
|
Cases successfully Prosecuted |
|
|
Investigated by DAFM |
6 |
|
Investigated by DSPCA |
1 |
|
Investigated by ISPCA |
17 |
Animal Welfare
Ceisteanna (1171)
Catherine Martin
Ceist:1171. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide sufficient funding to an organisation (details supplied) to recruit enough inspectors to cover all 26 counties as recommended by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine in its report on the welfare of equines in January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19496/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department provided funding of €2,460,500 to 137 animal welfare organisations throughout the country in December 2016 to assist in protecting animal welfare of all species. A significant amount of this funding (€290,000) was allocated to the ISPCA and an additional amount of €387,000 was provided to the ISPCA’s affiliate member organisations. A further amount of €290,000 was awarded to the DSPCA.
This higher level of funding supports increased enforcement by the ISPCA Inspectors and there are now eight Inspectors authorised under the Animal Health and Welfare Act (2013). Their responsibilities include the enforcement of animal welfare legislation in seventeen counties around the country. The work of the ISPCA is complemented by ‘Service Agreements’ with the DSPCA (three DSPCA Inspectors) and with the Turf Club (five officials), with the result that there are now sixteen authorised officers employed by NGO’s facilitating enforcement of equine welfare legislation throughout the entire country.
A feature of enforcement of welfare legislation is that authorised officers from NGOs at times work alongside officials of my Department and the Local Authority on certain enforcement matters, resulting in a very effective and efficient use of resources. The allocation of the funding referred to above to the DSPCA assists it greatly in enforcing equine welfare in the Dublin city and county area thus allowing for ISPCA to concentrate resources in other parts of the country. It should be noted too that over 100 Veterinary Inspectors of my Department based in Regional Veterinary offices around the country have responsibilities which include the enforcement of equine welfare legislation. Department officials also provide considerable administrative support to the ISPCA to assist its Inspectors in carrying out their work in protecting animal welfare
Generous funding is also provided by my Department to other welfare bodies involved in protecting equine welfare, including the Donkey Sanctuary; the Blue Cross; the Irish Horse Welfare Trust and Hungry Horse Outside; all of whom are involved in protecting equines in one way or another. Some of the recipients of this funding are working in conjunction with Local Authorities and are supported by my Department in developing facilities for urban and traveller horse populations and in educating young people among these communities in the care and welfare of horses.
I am satisfied that, having regard to the substantial funding provided by my Department to animal welfare organisations (including ISPCA and its affiliates), the implementation of the service level agreements with some of these organisations and the Turf Club and the inspection resources provided by my own Department, adequate resources are being devoted to the protection and enforcement of equine welfare.
Live Exports
Ceisteanna (1172)
Catherine Martin
Ceist:1172. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will suspend the export of live cattle to countries outside the European Union until such time as an investigation can be carried out into the recent revelations of poor conditions and cruel treatment of cattle at the final destination in view of animal welfare and disease control concerns; his views on whether instituting this suspension poses a serious threat to the reputation of the farming industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19497/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Live exports are a very important component of Ireland’s livestock industry and provide necessary competition in the market place for Irish cattle and beef. In view of this, my Department implements strong controls in respect of the welfare of animals being exported. In fact, the current Irish standards in relation to the approval of ships for livestock transport are higher than those which apply in other EU Member States and are recognised by the EU Commission as being amongst the most effective and stringent legislation in force as regards transport by sea. The higher standards are justified not only on sound animal welfare reasons but also because it reflects the nature of the shipping routes from this island. Detailed inspections are required before approval is given to ships transporting animals.
I have no proposals to ban or suspend the export of live animals but the Deputy can be assured that, while my Department has no jurisdiction in relation to the implementation of animal welfare standards in other countries, both I and my Department will continue to promote and maintain an environment in which live exports can take place in both an economic and sustainable manner, with due regard for the welfare of all animals exported. We will continue to work closely with all those involved in the live export business, with other EU Member States and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), with a view to improving animal welfare (including slaughter) practices worldwide.
Greyhound Industry
Ceisteanna (1173)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1173. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the greyhound industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19508/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
I understand that BnG, in view of its substantial debt burden, having considered the matter and having regard to the recommendations in the Indecon Report, has decided to cease racing at Harold’s Cross and initiate the sale of the stadium in order to reduce its debt levels and increase its capacity to provide support and assistance to the industry.
While the decision to close Harold's Cross was taken with regret, its view is that the interests of the sector as a whole are best served by concentrating Dublin racing activities in its national stadium, Shelbourne Park, which is located approximately two miles from Harold's Cross.
Greyhound racing has been part of the Dublin landscape for many years and Bord na gCon has informed me that it is their intention that this continues to be the case and that it is further developed.
Shelbourne Park has been operating 3 nights per week, which is limited use for a property in this location and with the facilities on offer. There is sufficient capacity in Shelbourne Park to accommodate the Harold’s Cross racing schedule there.
Bord na gCon has informed me that Shelbourne Stadium remains open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for greyhound racing. The current wave of protests has prevented entries for racing, therefore inhibiting the opportunity for customers to enjoy the live racing content.
I am satisfied that the Chairman and Board of Bord na gCon continue to discharge their functions and that against the background of a difficult operating environment over the past number of years, they are taking positive steps to address the issues identified in the Indecon Report, including those in relation to finance, governance and integrity services.
I want to assure you that I am committed to securing the future of the greyhound industry. I presented the new Greyhound Industry Bill to Cabinet in early March. The draft scheme has now been referred to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, for pre-legislative scrutiny.
The provision of a strong legal framework will support the development of the greyhound racing sector in Ireland and ultimately provide a platform to improve its contribution to the economy and employment. It is my firm belief that the future of the greyhound industry is dependent on a strong governance platform, the industry having the highest standards of integrity founded on strong regulatory systems and robust animal welfare controls.
Organic Farming Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (1174)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1174. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19519/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named received an advance payment in respect of his 2016 Organic Farming Scheme application in December 2016.
This was a first instalment, based on what was calculated as due at that point in time. A balancing payment for the remainder will issue shortly.
Export Controls
Ceisteanna (1175)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:1175. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 662 on 31 January 2017, if the authorities in China have now formally completed a review of the action plan submitted by officials here as part of efforts being made to persuade the authorities in China to lift these restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19521/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On 18 April, following a constructive and engaging meeting my Chinese counterpart, Minister Zhi Shuping and I made a number of significant advances in the development of Irish exports of beef, seafood and thoroughbred horses to China.
One of the important points on which we reached agreement was on the proposed certificate to accompany consignments of crab exports and this agreement should facilitate the resumption of the crab trade between Ireland and China. China has become an extremely important market for Irish seafood and restoration of this trade is particularly important for Irish seafood exporters ahead of BREXIT.
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has been engaged with the Chinese authorities (AQSIQ) to achieve the necessary technical agreement on a methodology designed to resolve the issue of certification of live crab exports to China. This agreement is built around implementation of a national monitoring programme of live crab intended for export to China. The SFPA will implement the monitoring programme and certification will be built upon these criteria.
As heretofore the Chinese authorities will continue to monitor consignments arriving in China and the SFPA will liaise with Irish industry to apprise seafood exporters of specific requirements to recommence live crab trade with China.