Kevin O'Keeffe
Ceist:360. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the completion of the sale of entitlements from one person (details supplied) to another will be expedited. [47723/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTransfer of Entitlements Application
Ceisteanna (360)
Freagraí scríofa
The person named submitted a 2017 Transfer of Entitlements application to my Department seeking the transfer of entitlements by sale. A letter issued to the person named on 22nd August 2017 requesting additional information in order to further process this application. A second letter requesting the additional information issued to the person named on 7th November 2017. To date the information requested has not been submitted. Following receipt of the requested information my Department will process this Transfer of Entitlements application.
Fisheries Protection
Ceisteanna (361)
James Browne
Ceist:361. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the presence of a boat (details supplied) fishing in Wexford harbour for the past two or three weeks; his views on whether this boat’s presence is legal; if the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority has dealt with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47753/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature concerning sea-fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. I am precluded from getting involved in operational matters including in relation to law enforcement.
Agriculture Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (362)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:362. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a payment for a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; when this payment will issue; the reason for the delay in payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47769/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named submitted a 2017 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application on 3 May 2017. 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 application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection has been completed and the results are currently being finalised with the intention of issuing any payments due shortly. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
Transfer of Entitlements Application
Ceisteanna (363)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Ceist:363. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under a scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [47788/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named submitted a 2017 Transfer of Entitlements application to my Department seeking the transfer of entitlements by sale as transferor. There is an outstanding issue pertaining to the application from the transferee in this case which is preventing this transfer from being finalised. My Department has been in direct contact with the transferee with a view to having outstanding issues resolved as soon as possible to enable the transfer to be completed. Upon completion of this transfer Basic Payment will issue to the person named.
Departmental Operations
Ceisteanna (364)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:364. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to use the State's printing services such as the currency production division of the Central Bank for its printing of secured works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47790/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I currently have no plans to use the State's printing services such as the currency production division of the Central Bank for printing secured documents. The printing requirements of the Department, and how they are met, will continue to be kept under review.
Brexit Negotiations
Ceisteanna (365)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:365. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of Brexit negotiations regarding the issue of access to fisheries for Irish vessels post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47797/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
To date there have not been any negotiations on fisheries or any other sectoral specific areas.
However, as I have stated before, fisheries is, and will remain, a high priority for Ireland in the Brexit negotiations. I am determined to ensure that fisheries remain high on the Brexit agenda in the EU and that the interests of Ireland's fishing communities are fully protected.
A key element in protecting the interests of our fishing industry will be ensuring that fisheries does not become isolated from the wider negotiations. I am glad to say that Michel Barnier and the relevant Member States are as determined as Ireland in that regard.
Existing access arrangements and percentage shares of fish stocks have been agreed by all EU Member States, including the UK, over many years and were most recently affirmed in 2014 when the current Common Fisheries Policy came into force. I see no basis whatsoever for the kind of reordering of the current arrangements apparently sought by some in the UK.
I will be meeting UK Secretary of State Gove at the end of this month and I will be setting out our position.
My position is absolutely clear – I will not accept any change in the current access and sharing arrangements to the detriment of Ireland's and the EU’s fishing communities.
We would all like higher quotas but the way to achieve that is to grow the stocks through sustainable management for the benefit of all.
If and when the UK finally leaves the EU they should equally retain their current shares and entitlements. We are not asking that they lose their rights of access to EU waters or face any reductions in their current shares and see no reason why we should lose ours.
As the Deputy will be aware, there has been an enormous amount of work on this issue in terms of analysing potential impacts for our fishing industries under the various possible scenarios since well before the UK referendum. This work has been carried out by my Department, the Marine Institute and BIM in close cooperation with the fishing industry.
At EU level there have been, and will continue to be, regular contacts with the Barnier Task Force, Fisheries Commissioner Vella and likeminded Member States at all levels. In all of these contacts I have stressed the importance of a unified EU front and our determination to maintain all of our current rights. This is a view shared by all of those Member States that have rights in the UK zone.
In conclusion, I would like to assure the Deputy that once the negotiations progress beyond the first phase, I aim to ensure that fisheries are inextricably linked to overall discussions on the totality of the future relationship between the EU and the UK. I will be unequivocal in opposing any dilution of our existing EU quota shares, including protecting the benefit to Ireland of the Hague Preferences, and any limitations on our existing rights of access.
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme
Ceisteanna (366)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:366. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if extra funding provided for the area of natural constraints scheme will be used effectively by targeting landowners with the worst natural constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47799/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme is a very important source of financial support for farmers across the country, paying over €200 million each year to over 95,000 farmers. In view of this, the Programme for a Partnership Government included a commitment for a €25 million increase in funding for the Scheme in 2018. I am happy to confirm that this commitment was delivered in the recent budget.
There are a number of options in relation to how this additional €25 million can be allocated in 2018. These options are currently being examined, with a view to being in place for payment under the 2018 Scheme. Changes to payments under the scheme will require formal agreement with the EU Commission via a formal amendment of the Rural Development Programme, 2014-2020.
The 2017 ANC payments commenced on 19th September and to date over €189 million has been paid to some 87,600 farmers. Payments are continuing on a rolling basis as more farmers satisfy eligibility and stocking rate requirements.
Fish Farming
Ceisteanna (367)
Clare Daly
Ceist:367. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 294 of 24 October 2017, if he will publish the audits his Department undertook into the aquaculture sites in question in order to ensure compliance with the rules governing the organic sector. [47815/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
At the request of my Department the relevant Organic Control Body undertook a comprehensive audit of all sites operated by the company concerned. Mindful of data protection and commercial sensitivity, my Department will not be publishing the audit report in question.
I can confirm however that the outcome of these audits indicate that the company concerned is compliant with the rules governing the organic sector.
Aquaculture Licence Appeals
Ceisteanna (368)
Clare Daly
Ceist:368. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 295 of 24 October 2017, when the attention of the Marine Institute attention was drawn to a major disease outbreak at a site (details supplied); and the reason the institute did not make this information available to the Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board oral hearing in September 2017. [47816/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has been advised by the Marine Institute that the Institute first became aware of a disease outbreak at the site referred to by the Deputy on 27 March 2017. The disease agent in question is a pathogen that is not listed in the European Union as a reportable pathogen of international concern.
A report was not made to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board Oral Hearing in September 2017 as the Marine Institute is charged solely with the implementation of Statutory Instrument No. 261 of 2008 and there is no requirement under that legislation to inform the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board of such occurrences.
Procedures in respect of the making of submissions to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board are set out in the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act. No requests were received by the Marine Institute from the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board in respect of disease outbreaks on aquaculture sites in the area and accordingly no submission was made to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board in that regard. It should also be noted that the Marine Institute was not a party to the appeal in question.
Origin Green Programme
Ceisteanna (369)
Clare Daly
Ceist:369. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 297 of 24 October 2017, his plans to commission a review of the origin green programme in view of the programme’s reliance on self certification by operators regarding their compliance with environmental regulations. [47817/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Origin Green is Ireland’s national food sustainability programme. It brings together the entire food industry, from farmers to food producers, retailers to food service operators. All operate with a common goal – to ensure sustainably produced food.
Origin Green members have committed to a minimum of six sustainability targets and have had their sustainability plans independently verified by international auditors SGS. Their progress is reviewed annually to ensure companies are making progress in achieving their goals.
As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question numbers 297 of 24 October and 424 of 26 September 2017, Origin Green members are required to be authorised by the relevant competent authority, and must confirm that they are compliant with the key food safety and environmental regulations governing their sector. It is a basic condition of Origin Green that companies comply with statutory requirements.
Operational matters in relation to Origin Green are a matter for Bord Bia. For further information on Origin Green the Deputy is referred to the agreed Oireachtas contact address – info@BordBia.ie.
Sea Lice Controls
Ceisteanna (370)
Clare Daly
Ceist:370. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to commission an independent review of his Department's sea lice monitoring programme to ensure accurate testing is taking place in view of the severe sea lice infestations on salmon farms in Scotland at present. [47818/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In Ireland the control of sea lice is managed by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State. These protocols are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons:
- The inspection regime is totally independent of the industry.
- Data obtained as a result of inspection is published and made widely available.
- Treatment trigger levels are set at a low level.
The sea lice monitoring and control programme in Ireland has been acknowledged by the Environment Directorate (DG Environment) of the EU Commission as representing international best practice.
Fish Farming
Ceisteanna (371)
Clare Daly
Ceist:371. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of a company's (details supplied) salmon farms that are under investigation by his Department for breaches of licence conditions; the percentage of the company's sites that are under investigation; when the investigations will be completed; and if he will publish the results of the investigations. [47819/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is currently examining possible breaches of licence conditions in respect of three aquaculture licences held by the Company or subsidiary companies referred to by the Deputy.
This represents approximately 19% of licences held by the Company or subsidiary companies.
Every effort is being made by my Department to bring these examinations to a conclusion as soon as possible. As these examinations are ongoing as part of a statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further pending completion of this process.
Fishing Industry
Ceisteanna (372)
Clare Daly
Ceist:372. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department continues to thwart the intentions of the Houses of the Oireachtas that established the Marine Institute, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority and the Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board as independent agencies by keeping these agencies under the control of his Department's fisheries and marine division which has a major conflict of interest. [47820/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department has five distinct Marine Divisions. These are the Sea Fisheries Administration Division, Sea Fisheries Policy & Management Division, Marine Programmes Division, Marine Engineering Division and the Aquaculture and Foreshore Management Division. The Marine Agencies Governance Unit, located within the Sea Fisheries Policy & Management Division of my Department, is responsible for corporate governance oversight of the Marine Institute (MI), Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the independent Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board (ALAB). The oversight role of the Department in this respect is to ensure that each of the marine agencies is and remains compliant with the revised code of practice for the Governance of state bodies (2016). The marine related policy functions which fall under the aegis of this Department are managed in accordance with relevant applicable legislation. Marine policy functions are located within a number of Divisions within the Department. Aquaculture policy is within the remit of the Marine Programmes Division, a separate Division to the Division that is responsible for corporate governance. Aquaculture licence applications are considered by the Aquaculture and Foreshore Management Division of the Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation. The legislation provides for a period of statutory and general public consultation in respect of every application. Decisions on applications are made following the fullest consideration of all environmental, technical, legislative and public interest aspects of each application. In addition, it is open to any member of the public to appeal the Minister’s decision to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board.
Weather Events Response
Ceisteanna (373)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:373. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if financial support will be made available to persons who experienced damage to fishing equipment as a result of Storm Ophelia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47849/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme is the vehicle for financial supports to the seafood sector up to 2021. The Programme delivers a wide range of supports for aquaculture, fisheries and seafood processing through a suite of 15 schemes.
The EMFF Regulation provides for a special compensation scheme for fishermen experiencing significant economic losses arising from severe storms etc. Article 35 foresees the establishment by fishermen of a 'Mutual Fund for Adverse Climatic Events and Environmental Incidents'. This Fund would act as a form of mutual insurance for otherwise uninsurable losses, by paying compensation to affiliated fishermen for losses that exceed 30% of the fisherman's annual turnover arising from severe storms and other adverse climatic events, losses arising from environmental incidents and for the costs of rescue at sea for fishermen or fishing vessels.
The Fund must be established and managed by fishermen and be funded through the subscriptions of affiliated fishermen. The compensation would only be available to fishermen affiliated to the Fund. Support to the Fund from the EMFF Programme would be in the form of a contribution to the costs of compensation paid out by the Fund. Depending on the type of vessels or fishermen experiencing losses, EMFF assistance may be up to 80%.
My Department and BIM stand ready to assist and advise fishermen and their representatives in establishing the Fund, but the EMFF does not permit a financial contribution towards the costs of establishment or management of the Fund.
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (374)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:374. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an ANC payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47888/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named submitted a 2017 Basic payment/Areas of Natural Constraint scheme application on 23 March 2017. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. This inspection has been completed and the results are currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payments due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.