Written Answers Nos. 485-502
485. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farmer is requested to have aphone available for inspection for text messages during a departmental inspection, the consequences in cases in which texts are accidentally deleted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39699/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a myriad of schemes and services which are accessible by phone and which may involve text messages. Similarly there are a range of different inspection types undertaken by officials in the Department. If the Deputy has a particular instance on which he requires clarification, I will have the matter examined on receipt of further detailed information.
486. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the post of agricultural counsellor at the Irish Embassy in Moscow will be filled; and the length of time this post has been vacant. [39737/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe role of Agricultural Attaché in the Moscow Embassy has been vacant since May 2017. The decision to defer the appointment of a replacement was taken in light of the now limited opportunities for EU/Irish Agri food exports to the Russian market since the Russian Federation imposed a ban on the importation of pigs, pork and reproductive material certified from the EU after 26 January 2014, followed by a second, more general, ban on the importation of agri-food products in August 2014. Although partially lifted (since 1 June 2016), the overall ban remains in place.
There are no immediate plans to fill this vacancy. However, the Agriculture Research Officer position within the Embassy - which assisted the agricultural attaché - has been maintained with a view to providing a continued agriculture presence that can be built upon if and when the attaché post is renewed.
This matter will be given further consideration in the coming months as part of my Department's annual review of Agriculture Attaché positions.
487. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to have a food-related trade mission to India. [39738/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports is an ongoing and central component of the strategic development of the agri-food sector, as evidenced by its placement right at the centre of Food Wise 2025, the industry’s strategy for development over the coming decade. Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agri-food exports to new and emerging markets, particularly in Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Gulf region. This is where our efforts will be focused for the foreseeable future, particularly given the need to diversify our markets and to reduce our reliance on traditional destinations such as the UK.
Trade missions have become an integral part of this strategy, and the selection of the destination of each mission is only agreed upon after a rigorous process which takes into account varying factors, such as the existing and potential market penetration for Irish produce within the country, and whether any market access issues could potentially be resolved during the mission.
To assist my Department in this area, Bord Bia carried out a market prioritisation exercise in 2017. It identified opportunities in new and more mature markets, and has provided valuable market intelligence both for industry operators and policy makers. It has already helped in the choice of destinations for my most recent trade missions to the US, Canada and China, and the next one to Indonesia and Malaysia at the end of October 2018.
At the moment I do not have any immediate plans to lead a trade mission to India but my Department will continue to seek out and identify new markets and I am ready to respond as appropriate to other opportunities that may arise.
488. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a penalty applied to a dairy equipment TAMS II grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be considered as an error in view of the fact that contact was made on two occasions to the helpline seeking clarification during the online application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39753/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named made an application for mobile sheep handling equipment under the Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme TAMS II on 20 November 2015.
The applicant's planner contacted the Department while submitting the claim for payment and was advised to submit the actual items purchased. A claim for payment was submitted on 20 July 2017 which included investments which were not purchased which resulted in an over-claim penalty being applied.
The applicant was advised of the position in a letter from the Department dated 20 August 2018. A written request for a review of this decision was received and the case is currently being reviewed by the Department. The applicant will be advised in writing of the outcome.
Should the applicant remain dissatisfied with the outcome of this review it will remain open to them to submit an appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
489. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of fish landings at the Howth Fishery Harbour Centre in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39780/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is the agency responsible for recording landings of fish into Irish Ports. The following table sets out the information provided to me by the SFPA regarding fish landings into Howth Fishery Harbour Centre.
Howth FHC Landing Figures 2015-2018
|
Year |
Sum of Tonnes |
Sum of Value in € |
No. of Landings |
|
2015 |
4,411 |
€11,980,496 |
735 |
|
2016 |
5,997 |
€15,619,841 |
1303 |
|
2017 |
4,331 |
€11,435,371 |
992 |
|
2018* |
1447.9 |
||
|
Total |
* Tonnage for 2018 is based on the most recent estimates, and may be subject to change. The value and number of fish landings for 2018 are not yet available.
490. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39926/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll entitlements allocated under BPS and the National Reserve are subject to a two-year usage rule. An eligible hectare of land per entitlement must be declared annually to meet the usage requirement. If a farmer has unused entitlements for two consecutive years, the lowest value entitlements held by that farmer revert to the National Reserve in the second year of non-usage.
The over claims in this case, resulting in lands declared being found not to be eligible, which resulted in the loss of entitlements, were due to the results of an Agri Environment Options Scheme inspection carried out in relation to the 2017 scheme year.
In order for this to be reviewed a further field visit will be required. I have arranged for this to be carried out as soon as possible.
491. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if harbour charges being levied on small fishing boats at a pier (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed; if officials from his Department will meet with the fishermen to the discuss the charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39927/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department owns, manages and maintains the six State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl. The Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates and Charges) Order 2012 (214 of 2012), which came into effect on the 1st July 2012, sets out the fee schedule for the use of the facilities at each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres. Different rates apply according to the type and nature of the vessel, the different use made of the facilities by the vessel, the size of the vessel and the quantity, value and species of fish landed (where applicable).
The Department is currently undertaking a review of the 2012 order and expects to engage in a Public Consultation on the matter, as required by legislation, as part of the review process.
492. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 2003 of 24 July 2018, the status of his Department's work on the preparation of a detailed fully costed action plan to facilitate potentially increased sanitary and phytosanitary controls, including staffing and upgrading infrastructure at ports and airports; and the cost estimate forecasts to date in this regard. [39939/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra493. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of veterinary officers and inspectors recruited since the Brexit referendum in June 2016, by new staff hires and replacement staff in this area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39941/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 492 and 493 together.
My Department is working with other Departments, through whole-of-Government coordination structures, on preparedness actions in relation to Brexit, in line with the Government Decision of 18 July. From an agri-food perspective this includes implementation of the steps necessary to facilitate potentially greatly increased Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) controls, which in turn will require staffing, infrastructural and IT requirements to be addressed at ports and airports.
My Department’s most immediate Brexit planning relates to the phased recruitment of staff for SPS and fisheries controls up to 2021, and the implementation of Phase One of the staffing project that is anticipated for 2019. The latter involves the recruitment of additional staff for SPS and fisheries controls, as agreed by Government on 18 September. The necessary arrangements to commence this recruitment process are currently being put in place.
The Department is also feeding intensively into the wider ongoing process around the infrastructural requirements at ports and airports, and will continue to liaise closely with the Office of Public Works, in particular, in this regard.
The following table shows the number of Veterinary recruitments in my Department since June 23rd 2016:
|
Year |
Number of recruitments |
|
2016 |
10 |
|
2017 |
22 |
|
2018 |
15 |
|
Total |
47 |
494. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken since SI 89 of 2018 for serious fishing infringements was rescinded by Dáil Éireann on 29 May 2018; the persons, interested parties, groups or organisations from the fisheries sector or other political parties he has met or liaised with since 29 May; the level of engagement his Department has had with all interested parties since the date of rescinding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40072/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra495. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details on the amendments he is proposing for a replacement statutory instrument for serious fishing infringements as per EU obligations but taking due cognisance of the rights of the fishermen under Irish law and their respective constitutional rights as per Bunreacht na hÉireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40073/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra496. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has consulted with the fishing sector since the rescinding of SI 89 of 2018 on the 29 May 2018; the consultation that has taken place with fisheries organisations or the sector since 29 May 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40074/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 494 to 496, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware, on 20th March 2018 I signed into force the European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2018, S.I. No. 89 of 2018. However, S.I. No 89 was annulled by Dail Eireann on 29 May 2018.
I am at present considering with my legal advisers next steps following that annulment. I expect legal advice to be to hand in the near future and once it has been fully considered, I will determine next steps in this matter.
As the Deputy may be aware, S.I. No. 89 adopted the requirements of Article 92 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1224/2009 and Title VII of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 404/2011 of 8 April 2011. It should be noted that both of these EU regulations went through the ordinary legislative procedure at EU level which would have included widespread consultation with interested parties including the Member States, Advisory Councils, NGOs and the fishing Industry. The matter has also been discussed at industry liaison meetings over the years. The EU regulations on this matter are highly prescriptive in relation to licence holders, leaving little room for further negotiation.
497. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the costs and State liabilities of the various court cases taken in respect of previous statutory instruments dealing with the penalty points system for serious fishing infringements; if the costs for the State surrounding cases (details supplied), other minor cases and the two judicial reviews of the SI will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40075/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that a number of cases arose from the operation of the European Communities (Common Fisheries Policy)(Point System) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 3 of 2014), whereas none arose in relation to the European Communities (Common Fisheries Policy)(Point System) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 125 of 2016).
In relation to S.I. No. 3 of 2014, the following Table contains details of cases in respect of which certain costs have been paid to date. I should advise that certain matters pertaining to costs and State liabilities have yet to be finalised in a number of relevant cases.
|
Name of case |
Costs paid to date |
|
Doyle Fishing Company v Michael C.O'Connor and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
€19,017.00 (State's Counsel fees). Costs also paid in the sum of €61,996.78. |
|
Patrick O'Sullivan and Cathal O'Sullivan v Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority and Ors. |
€105,138.50 (State's Counsel fees). |
|
Crayden Fishing Company Limited v Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority and Ors. |
€73,858.97 (State's Counsel fees). |
498. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of his Department's stand at the National Ploughing Championships 2018; the number of staff deployed from his Department for the week; and the cost of same. [40347/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Ploughing Championships is one of the key events in the farming calendar in Ireland and annually provides the farming community with the opportunity to interact directly on a face to face basis with my Department.
Effectively, we operate a fully resourced office of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on site. Farmers are given the opportunity for direct access to many areas of my Department to answer any queries or resolve any issues they may have, and this year my Department Officials dealt with over 9,000 queries, somewhat less than normal, due to the poor weather conditions. This figure does not reflect the entire footfall at the Department's stand, with many customers obtaining information without lodging an official query with the Department.
There are a number of costs associated with my Department having a fully functioning, professional presence at the National Ploughing Championships. This year’s total costs amounted to approximately €128,861 excluding VAT. This figure includes €98,798 for the supply, installation and removal of Exhibition accommodation and €9,680 site fee to the National Ploughing Association. The remainder includes costs for entrance passes for staff working at the event, security, broadband etc.
Throughout the event there were 81 staff positions directly dealing with the public and another nine in support roles such as IT and marshalling to be staffed at all times over the four days of the Ploughing. So at any one time, there were 90 staff members providing a service to the farming community in my Department’s marquee.
499. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount his Department has invested in An Post over the past two years; the way in which this was invested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39493/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I am responsible for the postal sector including the governance of An Post. Operational matters relating to the company’s retail business, the post office network, including investment in the post office network, are matters for the Board and management of An Post.
Reflecting its commitment to sustaining a nationwide post office network and daily mails service, the Government made €30m available in State funding to An Post in 2017, in the form of a repayable loan, to support the renewal of the post office network and the continued fulfilment of a five day per week mails delivery service.
Government funding of €80,000 has also been allocated to roll out a pilot scheme for Digital Assist which will see ten post offices equipped to help citizens with online Government interactions. The pilot scheme is currently being rolled out in rural post offices.
500. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is considering introducing a levy on non-recyclable coffee cups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39991/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of a levy on non-recyclable single use coffee cups as a measure to improve environmental behaviour is something that I am considering as well as other economic measures in the context of an overall review of the Environment Fund. This review is very close to finalisation and will be submitted to me shortly.
Ireland's approach will also have regard to the EU's policy on single-use plastics (SUPs) which was announced in May, and which proposes a range of approaches to tackling the proliferation of plastics that end up as marine litter. These include a provision that Member States must take necessary measures to achieve a significant reduction in the consumption of certain SUPs, including food containers and cups. Such measures may include national consumption reduction targets, measures ensuring that reusable alternatives to those products are made available at the point of sale to the final consumer, and economic instruments to ensure that certain SUPs are not provided free of charge at the point of sale to the final consumer.
It is difficult to estimate the potential revenue that might be generated from the introduction of any environmental levy based on current usage of the product in question as the primary objective of such a levy is to improve environmental behaviour, rather than to generate revenue. The Plastic Bag Levy (PBL), for example, was phenomenally successful in that regard. Following the introduction of the PBL in 2002, there was an immediate and dramatic effect on consumer behaviour as the use of plastic bags by consumers dropped from an estimated 328 bags per person per annum, prior to the levy, to 22 bags per annum by the beginning of 2004. This figure stood at just 8 bags per person per annum in 2016. Furthermore, in 2000 it was estimated that plastic bags constituted 5% of litter, whereas data received from the annual National Litter Pollution Monitoring System (NLPMS) showed that plastic bags constituted just 0.27% of litter in 2017.
I am determined that the introduction of any other environmental levies in the future should have a similarly positive impact on people’s behaviour to protect our environment.
501. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the communications, press and public relations budget allocated to his Department for 2018; the way in which it is being spent; if it is behind or ahead of profile; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39367/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra510. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent by his Department on third party public relations advice, communications advice, online advertising and public awareness campaigns to date in 2018, by month and company engaged in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39634/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 501 and 510 together.
My Department's remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy, environment, climate change and public broadcasting, as well as regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. My Department therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on third party public relations and communications advice, online advertising and public awareness campaigns from time to time.
In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and to keep expenditure to the minimum necessary. Expenditure on communications, press and public relations falls under the Department's various administrative and programme budgets and is not profiled as a single expenditure item.
The information requested in relation to expenditure to date in 2018 is set out in tabular format in the following link:
502. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which the only remaining bidder for the national broadband plan is compliant with the process in view of the changes that the consortium has undergone since the process commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39420/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by my Department that the bidder in the National Broadband procurement process is led by Granahan McCourt and that the bidder has nominated a number of key subcontractors including enet, Nokia, Actavo, the Kelly Group and KN Group to assist in the delivery of the National Broadband Plan Contract.
Bidders wishing to participate in the ongoing NBP procurement process had to pre-qualify in order to participate in that process. Only those bidders that could demonstrate they had the necessary economic and financial standing, together with the required technical and professional capability, were allowed to participate in the procurement. I understand from my Department that the bidder which submitted its Final Tender to my Department on 18 September 2018 met these relevant thresholds set out for the procurement process.
My Department is evaluating the Final Tender submission. This is a significant milestone as the NBP procurement process has now entered its final stage.
