Written Answers Nos. 506-527
506. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the total amounts spent on medicines under the primary care reimbursement service in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22170/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE has responsibility for this matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue.
507. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if advertising and recruitment of green certificate educators has begun in the Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal regions in view of the fact that some contracts are due to expire in September 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21419/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scheduling of recruitment competitions in Teagasc is an operational matter for Teagasc management and I have no function in the matter.
My Department has worked closely with Teagasc to address staffing issues in relation to the adult Green Cert (part-time and distance education). In conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Teagasc was approved to appoint 70 temporary teachers to meet the demand for courses. It enabled Teagasc to dramatically increase enrolments to 4,500 in the period 2014 to 2016.
As Teagasc continued to experience strong demand for the adult Green Cert their request for 15 new temporary teachers was granted earlier this year. I understand from Teagasc that the recruitment process is underway and it is planned to assign the new teachers in the next few months.
I am advised that a number of these posts will be assigned to the Northwest region to run new courses scheduled to commence in October.
508. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are supports or payment schemes available for a person (details supplied) who has oversupplied milk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21420/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been a number of measures implemented to support dairy sector producers through market transition in the post milk quota period. Central to these supports was the Super Levy Instalment Scheme, introduced in 2015, which allowed participants to spread their superlevy bill over three years interest free. Ireland was one of the few EU member states to introduce this scheme for its dairy farmers in order to ease the burden of the superlevy bill for those who wished to avail of it. I understand that the referenced individual is a participant in this scheme and has availed of the opportunity to spread his repayments over three years.
It should be noted that there are no provisions under the regulation for the Super Levy Instalment Scheme for alterations to the terms of the agreement entered in to by participants.
Additional exceptional aid measures for the sector included a one off co-funded support payment of €1,395 to dairy producers in 2015. In 2016 a Voluntary Supply Management Scheme formed part of the exceptional aid package from the EU Commission from which over €6.5m was paid to Irish dairy producers. I can confirm that the referenced individual received payments through both schemes.
A further measure implemented by my Department under the 2016 EU exceptional aid package was the Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme. This 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%. 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.
My Department continues to monitor the market situation for dairy and other sectors to ensure that the most appropriate supports are made available to producers.
509. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency in each the years 2013 to 2016; and the EU and Exchequer funding for the agency and projected spending from 2017 to 2019. [21427/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the cost of the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency in each the years 2013 to 2016, and the EU and exchequer funding for the agency and projected spending for 2017 is set out in tabular form below; funding for 2018 and 2019 will be subject to the normal budgetary procedures. Please note that additional funding was received directly by SFPA from the European Union for Control & Enforcement for the period 2013 to 2015 and I have requested SFPA to respond directly to the Deputy on that aspect.
|
- |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Exchequer Allocation |
€10.481m |
€10.635m |
€11.260m |
€12.460m |
|
Outturn |
€9.997m |
€10.123m |
€10.580m |
€10.016m |
|
EU Funding (EMFF) (*European Maritime & Fisheries Fund) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
€75,000* |
|
- |
2017 |
|
Projected Exchequer Funding |
€12.8m |
|
Profiled EU Funding (EMFF) (**European Maritime & Fisheries Fund) |
€4.1m |
* European Maritime & Fisheries Fund commenced in 2014
**Please note the European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (EMFF) is 90% EU funded and 10% Exchequer funded
510. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency funding under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund will be renegotiated at the end of the current Common Fisheries Policy; and if extra powers to deal with super-trawlers will be requested from the EU authorities. [21428/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra513. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if in Brexit negotiations there is a request for increased quota and support funding for fishing; if the Common Fisheries Policy quota and supports to 2020 will be increased in these circumstances; his views on whether quota and supports will increase after 2020; and if he will allocate funding from the Exchequer to fisheries in the absence of an EU increase in quota and supports. [21433/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 513 together.
The most immediate potential threat to the well being of our fishing industry is of course Brexit. At this stage it is impossible to say with certainty what effect Brexit will have on the Irish fishing industry as we don't know yet what changes the UK may seek to the current arrangements.
The most serious issue facing the fishing and seafood sector is the kind of relationship the UK wants with the EU in terms of fisheries post-exit. When we do know what the UK want, we will work closely with our EU partners in trying to seek a new relationship with the UK.
The UK could seek to limit access to their waters and/or try to gain larger quota shares at the expense of others. However, that could only happen if the UK were content to ignore the potential repercussions that would certainly arise from the EU side.
Any attempt by the UK to alter the status quo at the expense of Ireland and others must, and will be resisted strenuously.
It is important to note that the negotiations that will take place over the next few years are not a renegotiation of the Common Fisheries Policy. The CFP remains in place and will be reviewed in the normal way from 2019. That review is due to conclude by 2022.
I strongly believe that we must concentrate all our efforts on the Brexit negotiations at this time and until Brexit is completed. The discussion on the post Brexit CFP will undoubtedly occur in earnest once the Brexit arrangements are clear.
The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides the framework for the long term sustainability of fish stocks around our shores, the continued economic viability of our fishing fleet and fish processing industry while supporting our families and communities that depend on the sea for their livelihood.
The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme 2014-2020 is funding a suite of schemes implemented by Bord Iascaigh Mhara to support our seafood processing sector develop new value-added seafood products, put in place the capital investment to produce new and more seafood products, develop business and marketing strategies to take advantage of the export opportunities, and to work cooperatively with other seafood enterprises to develop marketing resources in potential export markets.
The Operational Programme provides €240 million approximately for the development of our seafood sector. Some €147.6 million is being provided by the EU (61%) and this represents more than a doubling of EU funds allocated to Ireland compared to the previous EU funding period. This increased allocation was in recognition of the strong case made by Ireland in CFP negotiations that Ireland carries a disproportionate control and data collection burden relative to our share of EU quotas in our territorial waters. That remains the case. The overall EU budget available for the EU seafood sector in the next funding period will be the subject of future budget negotiations between the EU institutions. In the absence of the UK, the overall budget of the Union is likely to be lower, so difficult negotiations can be expected. The relative share of the EU seafood funding is determined by the Commission having regard to criteria specified in the EMFF Regulation. These criteria will be an important focus of Ireland’s negotiating position for the next programming period and I will be seeking to ensure that they reflect Ireland’s control and data collection burdens.
I am and will remain in close contact with fisheries stakeholders as the issues develop and work with them to ensure that we are all fully prepared for what are likely to be extremely complex negotiations for both the UK’s exit from the EU and the subsequent CFP reform.
511. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in the absence of the capability by the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency to board large foreign vessels, he will seek EU approval of the right to impound vessels while inspections take place. [21430/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. The SFPA and the Naval Service through the Fisheries Monitoring Centre monitor the movements of vessels when in our Exclusive Fisheries Zone, using the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), Automatic Identification System (AIS) and declared catches through Electronic Reporting System (ERS). The SFPA is reliant on the seagoing fishery patrol activity of the Naval Service to verify compliance of vessels not landing into Ireland. Further details of monitoring and control of fishing activities by all vessels within Ireland's 200 miles Exclusive Economic Zone may be sought from the SFPA who are the competent authority.
Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues concerning sea fisheries control are, as a matter of law, an exclusive competence of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Naval Service. As Minister I am precluded from getting involved in operational matters including in relation to law enforcement.
In relation to the overall framework for fisheries control in the EU, Council Regulation 1224/2009 establishes a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy. Only the EU Commission may propose changes to that regulation and any such proposal must be adopted under the co-decision process by the EU Parliament and EU Council.
512. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the allocations from his Department to support research and development in fisheries and seafood production in each of the years 2012 to 2016, in tabular form. [21431/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to exchequer allocations to Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Marine Institute from my Department to support research and development in fisheries and seafood production in each of the years 2012 to 2016 is set out in the table.
|
Exchequer Allocations |
||
|
- |
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
Marine Institute |
|
2012 |
€20.421m |
€23.200m |
|
2013 |
€18.906m |
€22.772m |
|
2014 |
€23.428m |
€24.630m |
|
2015 |
€22.532m |
€27.671m |
|
2016 |
€39.680m |
€30.884m |
514. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is being penalised twice; and if the penalty will be imposed under only one scheme. [21448/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe penalty applied under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme relates to breaches of Cross Compliance requirements. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Basic Payment Scheme, an applicant, as well as meeting the scheme criteria, must comply with EU regulatory requirements relating to Cross Compliance.
A report detailing findings of an inspection carried out by the Agriculture Environmental Structures area of my Department on 12th December 2016 was referred to the Cross Compliance Unit for attention. This report detailed breaches relating to the cross compliance requirements under the Nitrates Regulations, Public, Animal and Plant Health and Good Agricultural and Environmental Standards (GAEC).
The breach under the Nitrates Regulations related cracked concrete in the soiled water yard whereby clean water could not be separated from effluent. The breach in respect of Public, Animal and Plant Health related to pesticide usage records not being provided at inspection. The breach in respect of GAEC related to the removal of a landscape feature.
These breaches resulted in a 25% penalty being applied against the 2015 Direct Schemes payments.
The person named was notified of this decision on 12 October 2016 and of their right to seek a review of the findings from the District Inspector. To date no request for review has been received.
In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of any such review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
515. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21453/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn appeal to amend the Sheep Census details of the person named has been accepted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The amended figures allow the person named to meet this eligibility requirement for the Knowledge Transfer Sheep Programme.
An official from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will be in direct contact with his Knowledge Transfer Group Facilitator to discuss participation of the person named in the programme.
516. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports which are being put in place by his Department for farmer welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21493/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra520. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the term "farmer burnout"; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that this is a common diagnosis by general practitioners; if mechanisms are being put in place by his Department to assist farmers who are overworked, underpaid and cannot afford to pay persons to help them on the farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21521/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 516 and 520 together.
I am fully aware of the significant work demands on farmers and my Department and I have worked hard to provide support and encouragement for collaborative farming arrangements, both family and non-family, for example: by establishing a register of formal farm partnerships, with supports for the establishment costs of partnerships available from the Collaborative Farming Scheme under the RDP; and by addressing perceived administrative barriers to putting farms in the joint names of husband and wife. In addition, tax changes over the last three Budgets have provided a comprehensive set of supports to encourage early farm transfer, long term leasing and partnership arrangements:
- Tax treatment of agricultural assets means that the family farm can be transferred on to the younger generation without any tax liability arising in almost all cases.
- Generous incentives apply to encourage farmland to be leased out in long term lease arrangement, rather than the conacre (11 month) system, allowing for proper planning and investment in relation to leased land.
- The Succession Farm Partnership scheme will promote the earlier inter-generational transfer of family farms, in line with Programme for Government commitments and the Food Wise strategy. It will encourage and support important conversations within farm families about succession planning. This Scheme provides for a €25,000 tax credit over five years to assist with the transfers of farms within a partnership structure. Administrative arrangements are being finalised and I will launch the Succession Farm Partnership Register shortly.
As a result of these efforts, we are starting to see more young people taking over farms, whether through family transfers, family and non-family partnership arrangements, and other collaborative arrangements.
The latest client data from my Department does suggest that, finally, we now have more farmers under the age of 35 than over the age of 80 – and while this represents progress, there is obviously a lot more to be done. Many farmers don’t want to retire fully, and I understand and respect that wish. What we need is arrangements that work for both the older farmer and the new generation. I think it is important to reflect the fact that most farms are family businesses, where the skills and talents of all family members, particularly farm women, can contribute to building viable businesses for the future. We are all sadly aware of the issue of farm safety, and I hope that encouraging collaborative arrangements will help to reduce the risk of accidents on farm.
In addition my Department is a member of the Farm Safety Partnership Committee and as part of the current and previous Farm safety Action Plans, programmes have been and are being implemented to promote the health of farmers. One such element was the publication of a booklet entitled: Staying Fit for Farming. This booklet was distributed as part of the FBD champions for change campaign, and it is intended to print a further run of the booklets. The booklet has been made available to facilitators of Knowledge Transfer groups on the "Farm Safety key" memory stick.
517. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has met with farming organisations regarding the impact of Brexit along the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21499/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the potential risks and challenges that Brexit poses for the Irish agri-food sector, and particularly for farming and agri businesses along the border.
Close consultations have been ongoing with all of the relevant stakeholders since early 2016, considerably in advance of the UK referendum which gave rise to the decision to leave the EU. I and my officials have engaged at political and official levels with representative organisations, businesses, and with UK, Northern Ireland and EU Member State counterparts, in order to both fully understand and to communicate the potential implications of Brexit, as well as the most appropriate industry and government responses. An important element of that process has been the Northern Ireland dimension, and the particular issues to be dealt with in a border context.
In addition to the separate and ongoing contacts with the IFA, ICMSA, ICSA and Macra na Feirme, all of these organisations are members of the Stakeholders Consultative Committee that I established last year to exchange views and experiences on the implications of Brexit. The impact of Brexit on border areas is regularly discussed during these consultations. In addition, these organisations and their Northern Ireland counterparts have participated in the series of agri-food sectoral dialogues that I have hosted under the All Island Civic Dialogue process, specifically to look at North-South issues and areas of common interest that arise in this context.
I am of course fully aware that the implications of Brexit for North-South trade, and for the movement of raw materials, including milk, meat and live animals, are potentially severe. The implications for animal and plant health procedures on both sides of the border are also potentially very serious. Put quite simply, this substantial trade would be very significantly affected by the constraints of tariffs, customs controls, veterinary/phyto-sanitary certification and any deviation by the UK from EU common regulatory provisions and standards, if these were to arise.
For the record I have had the following formal meetings with farming organisations since the beginning of the year:
I met with the IFA on 22 March 2017 to discuss their Brexit Policy Paper and again on 30 March to discuss the effect of Brexit on the liquid milk market. I also accompanied the Taoiseach on 26 April when he met the IFA to discuss their Policy Paper. I spoke at their Brexit Conference in Goffs on 24 April. I also met a delegation from the ICMSA on 14 February, a delegation from the ICSA on 16 February and a delegation from Macra na Feirme on 13 April 2017.
The Government remains very focused on supporting the farming and agri-food industry through the challenges ahead. I will continue to meet the representative bodies both on their own and as part of our Stakeholder Consultative Committee process in order to exchange views and to monitor developments as the negotiations progress.
518. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the review of mackerel allocation policy between the fleet segments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21518/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 I have received many representations on the matter. 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 my 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.
519. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his Department can reconcile the policy stated in Fisheries Quota Management in Ireland (details supplied) with its implementation, which is allowing quotas to be concentrated in the hands of large fishing companies, the owners of which have the financial resources to buy up such rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21519/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, it is long-standing Government policy that fishing quotas are a national asset and the responsibility for the administration of quota rests with the Minister alone. In Ireland, quota is managed to ensure that property rights are not granted to individual operators.
While Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQ’s) which permits the transfer/ sale of quotas may work for some Member States, it would not work for Ireland where we have a network of small rural coastal communities dependant on our fishing fleet, large and small, demersal and pelagic. The Irish fishing fleet is for the most part made up of family owned vessels with strong links to their home ports. These families have a long tradition in fishing with generations succeeding each other into the industry.
I have no doubt that if ITQs were put in place, our quotas both whitefish and pelagic would be purchased by large European fishing conglomerates, with no socio or economic links to our ports, and landed elsewhere, with the resultant loss of jobs and economic activity around our coast. For Ireland, this scenario would wipe out our fishing industry and we will would not get the benefit from the rich fisheries resources in the waters around our coasts. The issue of mandatory ITQs formed a part of the EU Commission proposal for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2011. This proposal was rejected following a strong case made by Ireland that management of quotas should be a matter of national competence.
To put in perspective much of the employment on shore in the seafood sector is generated by landings to Ireland by Irish vessels of all sizes. This activity delivers approximately 3,200 jobs in our fleet, with another 3,800 employed in our processing plants with additional employment in ancillary support industries. These jobs are totally dependent on Irish quotas being landed into Irish ports and any change to this would seriously jeopardise the ongoing viability of these jobs with disastrous consequences.
The result of Ireland's long standing policy is that the Irish fishing fleet involves a balanced spread of sizes and types of fishing vessels who have retained a strong economic link with our coastal communities and have delivered economic activity including vital employment in these communities, where there are very limited alternative economic activities.
521. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a scheme (details supplied) is coming on stream for dairy farmers in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21522/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scheme referenced is particular to the UK only and is part of their implementation of the exceptional aid measures implemented by the EU Commission in 2016. As part of this package, Member States were given €350 million to implement schemes which were tailored to meet their needs nationally. This was to ensure that the funds were put to the most effective use possible in each State. Ireland was allocated €11.1m under this aid package.
My Department, after consultation with all stakeholders in the sector, has used our €11.1 million allocation of funds, to part finance the Agri Cashflow Support Loan Scheme. Using national funds, I increased the amount provided to implement the scheme to €25 million.
This resulted in a low-cost credit scheme with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) which has made €150 million available to farmers at interest rates of 2.95%. The Scheme provides farmers with a low cost, flexible source of working capital, allowing them to pay down more expensive forms of short-term debt, ensuring the on-going financial sustainability of viable farming enterprises.
The SBCI has said that €60.2m has been drawn down by farmers to date. The average loan size is €32,000, with more than half the loans being advanced for terms of four years or more. 42% of loan value has been provided to dairy enterprises across the country. 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.
The banks advise that all of the remaining €150m is committed and is in the process of being drawn down. Based on progress to date, SBCI anticipate that in total approximately 4,000 farmers will benefit from the scheme.
522. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be permitted to plant forestry on their lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21634/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named currently has two forestry contracts. Planting has already commenced for the first contract and the second has received technical approval. The lands which are the subject of these forestry contracts appear to be those in the Folio given.
523. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a TAMS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21649/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named has submitted a payment claim under the Dairy Equipment Scheme of TAMS II. There is an issue with the claim that will require the application of a reduction. The payment will be processed as quickly as possible.
524. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a TAMS payment will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21653/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe persons named are a Registered Farm Partnership and they have submitted a payment claim under the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II. All aspects of the claim are now being examined.
525. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a TAMS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21656/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved, carried out work and submitted a payment claim under the Dairy Equipment Scheme of TAMS II. Under the provisions of the scheme a reduction must be applied before payment. The payment claim will be processed as quickly as possible.
526. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a TAMS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21659/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named is an applicant under the Dairy Equipment Scheme in TAMS II. An outstanding query concerning the application for payment has been resolved and payment has been approved and will issue to the applicant the week beginning 8 May 2017.
527. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is normal practice that the inspecting officer is not present at the appeal of a case in which they have imposed a penalty in view of the fact this is happening in the vast majority of cases of appeals to penalties imposed by the office in Nenagh, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21538/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe final reviewing officer from within my Department has responsibility to attend the oral hearing as requested by the Agriculture Appeals Office.
