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Thursday, 19 Apr 2018

Written Answers Nos. 292-301

Environmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (292)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

292. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the schemes and initiatives in place to reduce ammonia and nitrogen emissions. [17279/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There is a whole of Government approach to climate policy with officials from my Department working very closely with other Departments and in particular with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, which leads in this area.

In terms of ammonia, Ireland must comply with the National Emissions Ceilings Directive (NECD) under which ammonia emissions must be reduced by 1% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 5% below 2005 levels from 2030 onwards.

Notwithstanding our commitment to meeting the Directive, reducing ammonia and nitrogen emissions in Ireland represents a considerable challenge. Agricultural ammonia emissions reached a peak in 1998 and declined to a low in 2011, due to a decline in the ruminant livestock population and reduced use of fertiliser nitrogen. However, since then with the anticipation and removal of milk quotas in 2015, ammonia emissions have been on an upward trend. Dairy and non-dairy bovines comprise the bulk of agricultural ammonia, with these emissions arising principally from animal housing and storage and the landspreading of manures. While sources of fertiliser emissions have fluctuated in recent years (e.g. changing portion of urea and overall amount), there has been a significant decline since the peak in the late 1990s due to a combination of reduced fertiliser use arising from our Nitrates Action Programme.

My Department is actively considering all options for how best to control emissions and specifically in relation to ammonia it is currently preparing an Advisory Code for Good Agricultural Practice to Control Ammonia Emissions. Furthermore, we have a whole territory approach to nitrates implementation so all farmers are obliged to abide by nutrient management planning which has many synergies with reducing ammonia through the efficient use of animal manure.

The Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) gives effect to the Nitrates Directive; in late 2017 Ireland agreed with the European Commission on its fourth NAP for the period 2018 – 2021. The Nitrates Action Programme agreed includes a balanced programme of measures supporting the objectives of achieving good water quality while at the same time encouraging sustainable and efficient agricultural practices. The measures in Ireland’s derogation take account of the growing numbers of derogation farmers who are farming at intensive stocking rates, and also environmental objectives for water, climate change and ammonia which Ireland must achieve.  For example, a new condition for derogation farms has been included in that from 2018, 50% or more of slurry must be applied by 15 June and after that it must be applied by using low emission slurry spreading (LESS) equipment.

Ammonia losses from slurry are significantly reduced by slurry application in the springtime and also by using LESS equipment.   My Department supports grant aid for LESS equipment under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme known as TAMS II and supports the application of slurry via LESS equipment as an option in the GLAS agri-environment scheme.

Modern trailing shoe slurry spreaders and new fertiliser formulations will help to reduce ammonia emissions. Covered slurry stores also offer some potential, however, it is only feasible for outdoor slurry stores and is only beneficial if subsequent slurry spreading is via trailing shoe; otherwise ammonia protected during storage will then be available for release at spreading stage. As mentioned above, investment in trailing shoe machinery is supported by the Rural Development Programme.

Research also plays a key role in improving our emissions reporting:  the recent AGRI-I  project, funded by my Department, has resulted in changes to nitrous oxide emissions factors for synthetic fertiliser and dung and urine by grazing animals, thereby, improving calculation of these emissions in the National Inventory.  

Continued support under the Department’s Research Stimulus Fund for ammonia research is essential to focus on improving our emissions reporting and emissions factors, in particular our emissions factors for manure storage and housing.

My Department funded the recently completed Sustainable nitrogen fertiliser Use and Disaggregated Emissions of Nitrogen (SUDEN) project which was led by Teagasc, with AFBI and UCD partnering, identified that farmers can maintain yields and reduce ammonia loss to the environment.

Another ongoing funded project by my Department is Measurement and Abatement of ammonia emissions from agriculture (LowAmmo) which is focusing specifically on addressing knowledge gaps in national ammonia emissions data.

Achieving the required ammonia reduction targets is a significant challenge and one my Department is actively engaged with.

Animal Welfare

Ceisteanna (293)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

293. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a budget will be allocated to his Department's early warning system that operates locally to provide assistance and support to farmers before welfare problems emerge. [17280/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department operates an Early Warning/Intervention System (EWS) which is an initiative, introduced by the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC) and includes representatives from the farming bodies, the ISPCA and officials from my Department. Its objective is to provide a framework in  which farm animal welfare problems can be identified before they become critical and facilitates the provision of emergency assistance at an early stage. The EWS has served a very useful purpose over the years and the nature of its operation at county level has the benefit of its members being able to deal sympathetically with any emergency animal welfare situation occurring on farms. Farming and animal welfare organisations throughout the country are well aquainted with its operation and a considerable amount of work continues to be undertaken by those bodies at local level through the dissemination of information. Under the EWS arrangements, my officials, have been in a position to assist farmers who contacted the regional and district veterinary offices directly or via the Animal Welfare Helpline Call Save: 0761 064408, seeking the provision/purchase of emergency feed supplies and these requests have been dealt with appropriately. Sufficient resources are available for the conduct of the EWS arrangements.

The dedicated e-mail address and help-line are in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare.   Helpline phone No: Call Save - 0761 064408, phone - 01 607 2379, dedicated email address -  animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie  

Farm Inspections

Ceisteanna (294)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

294. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if flexibility will be shown to farmers regarding cross compliance inspections and Bord Bia audits (details supplied). [17281/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The EU regulations governing the Direct Payment Schemes and Rural Development measures require my Department to conduct inspections to ensure compliance with scheme eligibility criteria and Cross Compliance requirements. These inspections, including cross compliance, are mandatory and there are minimum numbers and types of inspections that must take place annually.  

My Department's inspecting officers are fully aware of the difficulties being encountered by farmers due to the adverse weather conditions and the associated fodder issues. Each inspected case will have all factors, including the poor weather conditions, taken into account both during the inspection and when arriving at any decision on the outcome of an inspection.  

Inspecting Officers endeavour to maintain a positive engagement with farmers and to be mindful of any situation where it is evident that a farmer may be under stress.Bord Bia audits are an operational matter for An Bord Bia; I will request officials in my Department to refer the question to An Bord Bia for direct reply to the Deputy.

The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Ceisteanna (295)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

295. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the ongoing delays in issuing genotyping tags for the beef data and genomics programme and the difficulties for suckler farmers. [17282/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme provides for six years of payments to participating farmers for completion of actions which deliver accelerated genetic improvement in the Irish national herd and improvement of its environmental sustainability. A key requirement of the Programme is that participants must take genomic samples from selected animals using tags supplied to them.

Genomic test tags required under the BDGP have already issued in respect of two thirds of the animals to be tested for the 2018 scheme year and all tags will have issued by the week beginning 23 April. For the first time in 2018,  there are multiple providers of genomic test tags in the market which required my Department to offer all BDGP participants the opportunity to nominate their  tag supplier of choice. 

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Ceisteanna (296)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

296. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a matter will be addressed regarding a trust (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17172/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the state Agency with responsibility for the conservation, protection, development and promotion of the Inland Fisheries resource. IFI have developed a research programme which is focused on the establishment of the root causes of the reported collapse of the Lough Currane sea trout population.  IFI have also briefed the Waterville Lakes and Rivers Trust on the proposed programme.  I am advised that it is intended that this research programme will be implemented subject to the availability of funding.

Angling Sector

Ceisteanna (297)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

297. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the grants available for angling clubs to provide classes (details supplied); the details of same; the person or body to contact in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17198/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have been advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that all funding schemes are advertised on their website – www.fisheriesireland.ie, their weekly ezine, social media and by press release to angling representative federations and the general media. The latest funding scheme for financial support closed for applications on 22 January 2018.  It is expected that the next scheme will open later this year. IFI’s Sponsorship Fund aims to support large international competitions held in Ireland which showcase Ireland’s angling offering and contribute to local economies. The fund also contributes to novice angler events which increase participation in angling among those who want to begin, or who have recently taken up, fishing as a hobby. It also helps initiatives which disseminate information that promote conservation and protection of the inland fisheries and sea angling resource and can include seminars, workshops and training. Support from the Sponsorship Fund can be either financial or resource support from Inland Fisheries Ireland staff members.

I am providing the Deputy with direct contact details in IFI for the Sponsorship Scheme. The club should monitor IFI’s website in case additional funds become available and should also register for the IFI ezine and follow IFI announcements on social media.  I am also providing direct contact details in IFI in that regard.

Contact Details – Inland Fisheries Ireland

Sponsorship Scheme – Paul O’Reilly (paul.oreilly@fisheriesireland.ie)

Ezine registration / Comunications– Myles Kelly (myles.kelly@fisheries ireland.ie).

Environmental Regulations

Ceisteanna (298)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

298. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which he plans to deal with the legal and reputational consequences for Ireland should it breach its statutory obligations under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in view of the fact that An Bord Pleanála has approved a company's (details supplied) application for an incinerator at a location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17208/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I refer to the reply to Question No. 1197 of 17 April 2018. The position is unchanged.

Environmental Protection Agency

Ceisteanna (299)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

299. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, plans to assess and monitor the risks to human health from carcinogenic dioxins in view of the fact that An Bord Pleanála has approved a company's (details supplied) application for an incinerator at a location; the way in which it will enforce the terms of a future toxic incineration licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17209/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The EPA is responsible for the licence and enforcement of large industrial plants listed in the First Schedule of the EPA Act 1992 (as amended). This includes incineration and co-incineration plants. The Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU) specifies the emission limit values for dioxins that apply to incineration and co-incineration facilities. This Directive also stipulates the frequency at which licensees must monitor dioxins.  Conditions implementing the Directive’s requirements are written into Industrial Emissions Licences granted by the EPA. The reports of all monitoring conducted by licensed facilities are submitted to the EPA for assessment, and are available on the EPA’s website.

In addition, the EPA carries out a programme of independent air emissions monitoring at industrial licensed sites to check compliance with the emission limit values specified in the licence. If dioxin monitoring is specified in an Industrial Emissions Licence, then the facility is monitored by the EPA on at least an annual basis.  Monitoring visits are typically unannounced, and the reports of the monitoring are available on the EPA’s website.

Broadband Service Provision

Ceisteanna (300)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

300. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the rollout of high speed broadband connectivity in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17217/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location.  The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. Today, almost 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. Since this Government came into office almost 400,000 additional premises have access to high speed broadband. This will increase to nearly 8 out of 10 premises by the end of this year and by 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. In April 2017 I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the NBP.

The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:

- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process. 

- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. 

- The LIGHT BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of this year as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April.

There are just over 97,000 premises in Limerick. Nearly 22,000 (22%) fall within the AMBER area and will be covered under the State led Intervention. Just over 65,000 (67%) of premises are in a BLUE area and are or will be covered by commercial providers, while almost 10,500 (11%) are LIGHT BLUE and fall to be covered by eir's planned rural deployment.

In April 2017, I signed a Commitment Agreement with eir in relation to its plans to provide high speed broadband to 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. eir has committed to completing the rollout by the end of this year.  Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie.

Quarterly updates on eir's rural deployment are published on this website. eir has passed a total of 121,000 of committed premises as of December 2017, including approximately 4,850 in Co. Limerick, including areas such as Dooradoyle, Kildimo, Pallasgreen and Castleconnell.

My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now in its final stages.

In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.

Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen.  These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities.  The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure.  There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.

North-South Interconnector

Ceisteanna (301)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

301. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the two independent studies into the proposed North-South interconnector will be received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17327/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The North South Interconnector, as proposed as an overhead line, now has full planning permission in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.  Following engagements with representative groups and Oireachtas members in relation to the motions passed in Dáil and Seanad Éireann early last year I commissioned two independent studies into the project. The studies are designed to address the main points of the motions as well as key concerns expressed by those parties opposed to the development of an overhead line.

It is intended that the two studies will provide some clarity to the concerned residents of the affected areas. The Consultants  undertaking the studies have finalised their reports and once considered in my department and submitted to me it is my intention that these will be brought to Government and made publicly available. This process will take  a number of weeks .

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