Written Answers Nos. 525-546
525. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the relevant departmental officials have spoken to their counterparts in the UK with regard to food production and the transport of raw materials such as milk from Northern Ireland to here for processing and re-exporting of manufacturing products to England as a result of Brexit; his plans in place in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6324/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra531. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a co-ordinated approach in respect of food imports and exports for SMEs to Northern Ireland and the UK in the event of a no-deal Brexit has been developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6509/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 531 together.
Among the priorities set by the Irish Government at the outset in relation to the Brexit negotiations was the protection of the Good Friday Agreement, and the avoidance of a hard border on the island of Ireland.
The position of the Irish Government continues to be that it is not preparing for a hard border on the island of Ireland and that the only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the EU is for the UK Parliament to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement, with its backstop provisions, as already endorsed by the UK Government and the European Council.
Consequently neither I nor my officials have been involved with Northern Ireland representatives in developing a coordinated approach in respect of food imports and exports for SMEs to Northern Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
However, I and my officials have been working hard, in conjunction with other Departments and Agencies, to ensure the minimum possible disruption to the movement of agrifood products between Ireland and Great Britain, while at the same time discharging our obligations under EU legislation.
The requirements in this area are significant, and arise in relation to the carrying out of documentary, identity and physical checks on imports of animals, plants, and products of animal and plant origin, as set out in EU legislation. It is also possible that there could be significant export certification requirements in respect of exports of agri-food and fisheries products to the UK post-Brexit.
Work in this regard has been focused on three key areas, namely, infrastructure, staffing and information technology, and in three key locations, that is Dublin Port, Rosslare Port and Dublin Airport.
I am confident that the state will be in a position to apply the relevant measures at the appropriate time.
526. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the return to service protocol to be followed by the authorised officer to allow a mechanical grading machine to be returned to full service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6412/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017 governs the monitoring of carcase classification, carcase presentation and weighing.
In order to determine that the performance of a classification machine is within tolerance, authorised classification officers conduct a classification exercise on a minimum of 100 carcasses at each inspection. The unannounced checks verify the ongoing accuracy of the automated beef grading methods by using a system of points and limits defined in EU legislation.
When any mechanical system is found to be working outside of these tolerances, the meat plants concerned are instructed to revert to manual grading. The factory must then arrange for the machine to be serviced. When this service is completed, the Department is notified and will then proceed to conduct a further classification exercise (min 100 carcasses) to confirm that it is working within the legal tolerances.
In all cases where a factory is instructed to revert to manual grading, manual grading is initiated and this is advised to farmers through their remittance dockets.
527. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of occasions in 2018 during the course of an unannounced inspection a feed business operator, FBO, was asked to check and record the accuracy of the weighing scales used for the purposes of weighing a carcase in the presence of the authorised officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6413/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017 governs the monitoring of carcase classification, carcase presentation and weighing.
In 2018 there were 548 inspections conducted in 32 factories classifying carcasses.
The FBO is asked to check and record the accuracy of the weighing scales used for the purposes of weighing a carcass in the presence of the authorised officer at all inspections.
528. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date by which the 2018 Bord Bia annual report will be published; and if the report will be of the same format and contain the same type of information as the 2017 report. [6425/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Bord Bia Acts, the 2018 Annual Report must be submitted by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to the Houses of the Oireachtas by the 30th June 2019.
Publication will follow in due course and will be available on the Bord Bia website. The content and format are a matter for Bord Bia and will be, inter alia, as provided for in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. All the Bord Bia Annual Reports are available on the Bord Bia website (www.bordbia.ie).
529. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding carcase measurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6426/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials will be in contact with the Deputy within the next two weeks in relation to this request and also concerning the terms under which such information is retained within the Department.
530. 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 can be expected on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6498/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a 2017 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint schemes application on 15 May 2017. Under the Terms and Conditions of these schemes, an applicant, as well as meeting the scheme criteria, must comply with EU regulatory requirements relating to Cross Compliance.
The application of the person named was selected for an ovine identification and registration inspection. The person named failed to co-operate with this inspection resulting in a 100% cross compliance penalty being applied to all his area based schemes.
The person named was notified of this decision on 12 March 2018 and of his right to seek a review from the District Inspector, but to date no such request has been received. Officials in my Department will examine the case if a written review request is submitted, together with any supporting documentation, to the District Inspector.
In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of any such review, the decision may be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office within 3 months.
532. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [6536/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe applicant in question applied for grant aid for animal housing under the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS 11 on the 13 January 2017. The approval to proceed with the proposed investments issued on 4 July 2017. The applicant submitted a claim for grant payment for the approved works on 9 January 2019. The payment claim is currently being processed and payment will issue in due course.
533. Deputy Tom Neville 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. [6553/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to the completion of the review of eligible lands under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, which was required by EU regulation, my Department wrote to all impacted farmers advising of the status of their lands under the 2019 ANC scheme. These letters included a form to instigate an appeal. The appeals form is also available on www.agriculture.gov.ie. For any farmer who wishes to appeal the status of a particular townland under the 2019 ANC scheme, an independently chaired appeals process is available.
My Department has received a notification of appeal from the person named in relation to two townlands. My Department will provide full information in relation to the data underpinning the status of these townlands in order that the person named can base any appeal to the independent Appeals Committee on full information. This information will issue to the person named shortly.
534. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of advisers and special advisers employed by his Department in 2017 and 2018 and to date in 2019; the areas of expertise covered by such advisers; the annual salaries associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6563/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMinisterial Advisers are appointed under the Appointment of Special Adviser (Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine) Orders.
I can confirm that two advisers were employed by my Department during 2017. During 2018, as one of my advisers was availing of statutory leave, a replacement adviser was appointed on a temporary basis to cover this leave. In late 2018, an additional adviser was appointed to Minister of State Doyle. Therefore a total of three advisers are currently serving, in accordance with Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act, 1997.
The current salary scale for Senior Ministerial Advisers is aligned to the Civil Service Principal Officer salary scale, which is in the range of €81,661 to €100,402 per annum. The current salary scale for Advisers to Ministers' of State is aligned to the Civil Service Assistant Principal Officer salary scale which is in the range of €64,232 to €78,311 per annum.
Additional information in respect of these appointments is provided to the Oireachtas at the time the appointments take place.
535. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 848 of 15 January 2019, if he has applied a fine on a particular carcase for non-compliance with the carcase trim specification in January 2019; the plant involved; the payment made to the farmer supplier to reflect loss; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6635/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra536. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date when each of the mechanical classification machines was recalibrated in each meat plant; if he has received reports from the system provider of machines miscalculating grades; the number of times he has identified that the performance of machine grading has been outside the tolerance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6636/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra537. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of breaches identified during announced inspections in 2018 on the evaluation of standard of dressing records, concerning use of check weights, comparison of hot and cold weights and labelling particulars, respectively, in each plant concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6637/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 535 to 537, inclusive, together.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017 governs the monitoring of carcase classification, carcase presentation and weighing. In 2018, my Department conducted almost 550 unannounced, on-the-spot inspections in 32 factories on classification and carcase presentation.
In all cases where a machine is found to be working outside of tolerance by my inspectors, manual grading is instigated immediately and this is advised to farmers through their remittance dockets. There were 8 instances in 2018 and 13 in 2017 when factories were instructed to revert to manual classification.
The system provider of classification machines does not provide reports on miscalculating grades.
As with any mechanical system, grading machines can from time to time fall out of tolerance. Machines operating outside of tolerance are required to be serviced, and the calibration is checked by staff from my Department before mechanical grading recommences. There were no issues discovered at inspection regarding check weights, comparison of hot and cold weights, labelling particulars.
The breaches of carcase dressing presentation in 2018 have been published already on the Department website. Regarding inspections in 2019 it is my intention to publish the resulting on-the-spot fines (if any), at the appropriate time when the inspections and the processes concerned are complete.
538. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of boards or agencies his officials have been appointed to; if there are guidelines or protocols for members of staff being appointed to boards or agencies; if so, when same were last updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6638/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently, there are three Departmental officials appointed to three of the State Boards under the aegis of my Department. These are Bord Bia, Teagasc and the Veterinary Council of Ireland.
As each of these Boards is non-commercial in nature, the applicable protocols are contained in the Department of Finance Circular 12/2010 Protocol for Civil Servants nominated to the boards of non-commercial State bodies which should be considered as forming part of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
Responsibility for updating these documents is a matter for Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
539. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2018 GLAS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6744/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named is fully up to date with all GLAS payments.
540. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the targeted financial aid or compensation measures considered at national and EU level to support Irish beef farmers in view of the effects of perceived already uneconomical prices at market from calves to weanlings to finished cattle in the context of a deal or no-deal Brexit. [6750/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe agri-food sector is of critical importance to the Irish economy, and its regional spread means it underpins the socio-economic development of rural areas in particular. Brexit depending on the outcome has the potential to have a very significant impact on farmers and on the agri-food sector throughout Ireland.
There are on-going discussions with the Commission regarding the difficulties facing Ireland, and the assistance that might be required for its agriculture food and fishing sectors
I and my officials have been working very hard for quite some time to sensitise other Member States and the European Commission to the potentially very severe impacts of Brexit on the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors, and to the likelihood of specific supports being required in order to deal with these impacts. The institutions of the European Union are very well aware of the likelihood of a significant impact of a disorderly Brexit on Ireland’s economy because this has been part of the discussion from the beginning, and indeed this is explicitly recognised in the Commission’s own communication on contingency planning.
Most recently, I held a bilateral meeting with Commissioner Hogan to discuss the potential impact of a disorderly Brexit on the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors. We discussed the unique exposure of these sectors to the threat of a disorderly Brexit, and the challenges that it could present. I stressed the need to be ready to deploy a range of measures to mitigate the potential impacts on farmers and processors, including through traditional market supports and exceptional aid under the CAP's Single Common Market Organisation regulation, and increased flexibility under State Aid regulations. Commissioner Hogan reiterated the EU’s readiness to respond and support Ireland, and we will remain in contact on these issues as the situation evolves.
541. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific market-oriented engagement that has taken place between his Department and the agencies under his remit since the Brexit referendum with a view to opening new lines of export for the beef sector; the successes achieved to date; the options to be prioritised or explored next; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6751/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMarket development – developing new markets and growing existing markets, based on market insights – is one of the five themes of Food Wise 2025, the ten-year strategy for the agri-food sector. Market development and diversification is also a key response to the challenges which Brexit poses for the agri-food, in particular, the beef sector.
In April 2017 I launched a seven point action plan on market access. This is being implemented through a variety of actions, including, inter alia:
- A market prioritisation exercise and subsequent detailed studies carried out by Bord Bia on behalf of my Department. On meat the five ‘deep dive’ countries selected for detailed study were: Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Mexico & Malaysia
- A market access web portal was launched in May 2018, and available on my Department’s website provides a wide range of valuable information to exporters.
- An enhanced programme of Government agri-food trade missions. All of these trade missions involve collaborative planning and participation by both my Department and Bord Bia
Beef market access has been a key feature of these missions and over the last two years, trade missions have focused on key growth markets such as:
- Asia - China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia;
- North America - USA, Mexico and Canada; as well as,
- The Gulf States and Turkey.
These missions included participants from across the agri-food sector and featured extensive trade contacts as well as high-level political discussions. These and the other missions that my Department has under consideration for the first half of 2019 will serve to enhance and improve our existing levels of market access in these destinations.
According to Bord Bia, in 2018 beef worth an estimated €2.5 billion was exported. In 2018 a number of additional markets were opened by my Department including the Chinese beef market, and the markets for beef, sheepmeat and poultry in Kuwait and Qatar. In 2017 the Egyptian beef market was re-opened to Ireland and amended improved beef certificates were agreed with Singapore, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
542. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the latest assessments made by his Department of the potential impact of a hard or soft Brexit on the beef sector here at primary producer level; and if average farm income reduction calculations have been made based on both best case and worst case scenarios. [6752/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra543. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has conducted an analysis by county of the potential consequences of Brexit on the profile of farming types and producer and livestock numbers; and the impact of projected alterations in beef farming activity over the next number of years on local economies such as County Waterford (details supplied). [6753/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 542 and 543 together.
As part of my Department’s Brexit planning, my Department has carried out a detailed analysis of the implications for Irish agri-food exports in a scenario whereby the UK applied the EU’s existing tariff schedule on imports.
The decision as to how and when the UK might impose tariffs on imports from the EU in the event of a no-deal Brexit is a sovereign matter for the UK Government.
The detailed analysis was carried out by my Department using agri-food trade data, broken down into twenty four categories, identified and agreed by my Department and the CSO. The EU’s MFN (Most Favoured Nation) Tariff Schedule was then applied to this export data. This tariff schedule includes both ad valorem tariffs and tariffs per weight/unit of product, as set out in the EU’s TARIC database. The imposition of tariffs is not a linear exercise, and the possible tariffs that could be imposed vary both within individual categories and the sector as a whole. A calculation of tariff rate equivalents based on actual value and volume of trade in 2016 was completed, and is summarised in the table attached.
This analysis found that the estimated cost of potential tariffs for the sector as a whole is €1.7 billion, based on Irish agri-food exports to the United Kingdom of €4.8 billion in 2016.
There are a number of important caveats which must be considered when examining these results, including:
- Tariff data used, is based on a TARIC database extract at 31 December 2016, with the exception of those commodities where tariff rates had changed during the years 2014, 2015, 2016;
- This analysis represented over 90% of agri-food exports to the United Kingdom between 2014 and 2016.
- This analysis does not take account of any possible tariff rate quotas (TRQs), nor does it account for non-tariff barriers (NTBs) to trade, including transport delays and additional administrative costs.
- The analysis does not include the impact of any changes to the Euro-Sterling exchange rate.
- In respect of live animal exports, the average tariff rate equivalent is 8%, however in 2016, 67% of total value of live animal exports were not subject to tariff. The estimated tariff on total live exports which are subject to tariffs is 24%, and for exports of live bovines the tariff rate equivalent is approximately 40%.
Additionally, for some sectors further analysis is ongoing due to the complexity of the tariff calculations, namely:
- While raw forestry products do not usually attract third country duties, processed wood based products such as MDF, and OSB are subject to ad valorem charges based on declared value.
- For Cereals and Cereal Preparations products, almost half of the top 20 commodities are subject to duties which are calculated based on complex compositional data of the ingredients used.
Third country duties for individual product lines can be found on the TARIC website using the eight digit combined nomenclature (CN) code:
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/taric/taric_consultation.jsp?Lang=en.
Tariff rate equivalents of agri-food sector commodities, 2016
|
Total Exports to the UK 2016 |
Est Duty as a % of the declared value |
Total Est cost of tariff equiv. |
|
|
Dairy |
€857,279,000 |
49% |
€422,547,000 |
|
Beef |
€1,113,448,000 |
70% |
€780,521,000 |
|
Sheepmeat |
€52,027,000 |
75% |
€38,996,000 |
|
Pigmeat |
€408,182,000 |
22% |
€90,595,000 |
|
Poultry |
€217,308,000 |
55% |
€118,817,000 |
|
Live Animals[1] |
€259,200,000 |
8% |
€21,123,000 |
|
Eggs |
€10,877,000 |
19% |
€2,035,000 |
|
Other Meat & Meat Preps |
€46,949,000 |
18% |
€8,543,000 |
|
Fruit and Vegetables |
€239,155,000 |
14% |
€33,439,000 |
|
Fish |
€64,262,000 |
14% |
€8,900,000 |
|
Beverages |
€301,642,000 |
5% |
€14,250,000 |
|
Cereals & Cereal Preparations |
€339,582,000 |
14% |
€47,813,000 |
|
Animal Feedstuffs |
€211,769,000 |
8% |
€17,272,000 |
|
Misc. Edible Prods & Preps |
€118,234,000 |
10% |
€11,839,000 |
|
Vegetable Oils & Fats |
€7,557,000 |
9% |
€666,000 |
|
Sugar, Sugar Prep & Honey |
€44,467,000 |
30% |
€13,216,000 |
|
Coffee, Tea, Cocoa & Spices |
€242,241,000 |
17% |
€41,021,000 |
|
Crude Animal & Vegetable Material |
€31,695,000 |
1% |
€382,000 |
|
Animal Oils & Fats |
€10,293,000 |
1% |
€85,000 |
|
Oilseeds & Oleaginous Fruit |
€11,164,000 |
0% |
€15,000 |
|
Forestry[2] |
€176,544,000 |
0% |
|
|
Animal Skins & Furs |
€35,477,000 |
0% |
|
|
Flax, Wool & Animal Hair |
€5,142,000 |
0% |
|
|
Cotton |
€34,000 |
0% |
|
|
Totals |
€4,804,528,000 |
€1,672,074,000 |
[1] MFN tariffs on Live Bovine exports (excl. breeding), which are charged at 10.2% + 93.100 DTN are considerably higher than estimated duty for the sector. The estimated tariff rate equivalent of these commodities is approximately 40% tariff rate equivalent.
[2] While Raw forestry products do not attract duties, processed wood products such as MDF do, these are usually charged at 7% ad valorem.
544. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has engaged in discussions to introduce an employment regulation order to ensure a minimum standard of pay and working conditions for seasonal workers in the agricultural sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6762/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not engaged in discussions on the establishment of an Employment Regulation Order (ERO), but I am advised by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation that ERO's are provided for in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2012 and set the minimum rates of pay and conditions of employment for workers in a specified business sector.
An ERO is drawn up by a Joint Labour Committee (JLC). A JLC is composed of equal numbers of representatives of employers and workers in an employment sector with an independent chairman. The Committee meets to discuss and agree proposals for terms and conditions to apply to specified grades or categories of workers in the sector concerned. If agreement is reached on terms and conditions, the JLC publishes the details and invites submissions from interested parties. To become an ERO, the proposals drawn up by the JLC must be adopted by the Labour Court and an Order giving them statutory effect must be made by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
545. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 483 of 5 February 2019, when validation checks will be cleared on an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6771/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2017 and has received payments in respect of 2017.
During the processing of the 2018 payment an issue was identified regarding the Traditional Hay Meadow action. The land parcel was amended at the request of the GLAS participant or their advisor and this request has delayed the payment of the 2018 claim. The issue is expected to be resolved shortly and once the case clears validations the 2018 advance payment will be made. GLAS payments are issuing on a weekly basis.
546. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of the €180 million allocation for the fishery harbour centres; the major development projects to be initiated in 2019; the date in 2019 these projects are scheduled to commence; if this will be impacted by the cost overrun with the national children's hospital; if he has been consulted by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6785/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board piers, lights and Beacons Act.
I am happy to advise the Deputy that between the years 2010 to 2018, as part of my Department’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, in excess of €96 million has been invested in maintenance, development and upgrading works at the six fishery harbour centres. Over the same period, almost €28m has also been made available to assist coastal Local Authorities in the maintenance, repair and development of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership
On the 27th of January 2019 I announced a €35.7m capital investment package under the 2019 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme in our six Fishery Harbour Centres and other fisheries related marine infrastructure. Of this €35.7m package, €21.9million is in respect of contractually committed projects and other non-discretionary capital spending. The continuation of the Dinish quay extension, Castletownbere, the commencement of the Smooth Point extension phase 2, Killybegs, and the Middle Pier berthing face project, Howth are the flagship projects for 2019 capital programme.
Looking to the delivery of the Fishery Harbour element of Project Ireland 2040, a number of high profile projects are either under consideration, or are already underway. These include the continuation of the Dinish Island quay extension project in Castletownbere in 2019 and 2020, the commencement of the Smooth Point, Killybegs and Middle Pier, Howth pier extension projects also to run over 2019 and 2020. Other projects being considered include the dredging of Howth Harbour and the upgrade of the East Pier in Howth, a possible breakwater project in Dunmore East, a slipway development, boatyard upgrade and remedial works to the mainland quay in Castletownbere, a new slipway and quay development works in Ros An Mhíl, the East Harbour quay wall development in Dingle and remedial works to Blackrock Pier & landing pier fendering in Killybegs. In addition consideration is also being given to upgrading existing vessel lifting equipment and associated machinery at a number of our Fishery Harbour Centres.
As with all future projects, they will only be progressed having consideration to available funding and National Priorities, in addition to appropriate permitting being in place.
My Department's Capital budget for 2019 has not been reduced as a result of the Children's Hospital Project.
