Dáil Éireann
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Vol. 775 Tuesday, No. 3 25 september DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) 25/09/20120Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2 25/09/2012A00200Priority Questions� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2 25/09/2012A00250Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2 25/09/2012C00750Severe Weather Events � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 5 25/09/2012F00825Aquaculture Licences � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 9 25/09/2012H00600Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 13 25/09/2012H00650Fishing Industry Development � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 13 25/09/2012L00200Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 17 25/09/2012M02350Forestry Sector� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 22 25/09/2012N00700Topical Issue Matters � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 24 25/09/2012N00900Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 25 25/09/2012Q02250Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 35 25/09/2012Q02275Northern Ireland Issues � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 35 25/09/2012V00850Cabinet Committees � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 45 25/09/2012X00250Order of Business � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 49 25/09/2012Z02200Membership of Committees: Motion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 57 25/09/2012Z02500Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 57 25/09/2012Z02600National Asset Management Agency � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 57 25/09/2012AA00950ESB Disconnections Policy � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 61 25/09/2012CC00450Pyrite Remediation Programme� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 64 25/09/2012DD00950School Transport � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 68 25/09/2012EE00500An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Leanaí) 2012: Ordú don Dara Céim� � � � � � � � � � � 71 25/09/2012EE00600Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Order for Second Stage� � � � � � � � � � � � � � 71 25/09/2012EE01300An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Leanaí) 2012: An Dara Céim � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 71 25/09/2012EE01400Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Second Stage� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 71 25/09/2012OO00300Magdalene Laundries: Motion [Private Members] � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 88 25/09/2012WW00200An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Leanaí) 2012: An Dara Céim (Atógáil)� � � � � � � � 108 25/09/2012WW00300Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � 108 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Máirt, 25 Meán Fómhair 2012 Tuesday, 25 September 2012 Chuaigh an Leas-Cheann Comhairle i gceannas ar 2 p�m� Paidir. Prayer. 25/09/2012ACeisteanna - Questions 25/09/2012A00200Priority Questions 25/09/2012A00250Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications 25/09/2012A0030047� Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he intends re-opening the agri environment options scheme to new applicants; the conditions that will apply to the scheme; the maximum payment that will be provided for in the scheme; if there will be any changes to the measures under the scheme compared to the last AEO scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter� [40490/12] 25/09/2012A00400Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney): I thank the Deputy for raising this question� I am very conscious that I have been talking about putting an AEOS III in place for some time� Therefore, I am pleased, in the week that is in it and given the focus on farming this week, to be able to announce an AEOS III today� It will be modelled on last year’s AEOS II� I understand and appreciate the value of environmental schemes to farmers, not just as an income support but, more importantly, as a way of ensuring we remain committed to sustainable farming and the sustainable production of food� That is the reason I have been working for the past four months to find a way to put a scheme in place, while at the same time remaining under the ceiling of expenditure allocated to my Department for next year� We have been working with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in recent weeks to try to finalise an AEOS III model. I am allocating €20 million for AEOS III next year. I expect to be able to accommodate approximately 6,000 applicants� A maximum payment of €4,000 will be available to farmers. Essentially, they will sign up to get a recognition payment for specific actions they will take with regard to sustainability. They will be asked to sup- 423 Dáil Éireann port the maintenance of traditional hay meadows, wild bird cover, hedgerows, stone walls and species-rich grassland, for example� I think farmers understand such measures because of the first two agri-environment options schemes. In my view, they will sign up for such measures again in return for a funding model that is essentially based on last year’s AEOS II� I wanted to stick with last year’s model so farmers who studied that model will understand what we are doing on this occasion and be able to make applications� I will explain how we will deal with applications from excess numbers of farmers if questions are asked on that topic� If we have to prioritise who should be in and who should be out, we will try to do that in a very fair way� Additional information not given on the floor of the House. The scheme will be largely similar to previous years� I intend to introduce a small number of minor changes which are designed to target increased benefits to participating farmers and to the environment� As in earlier years, farmers with commonage land, designated special areas of conservation or special protection areas will be required to follow a sustainable management plan prepared by a planner� Those applicants will be given priority in determining access to the scheme� Applicants other than those requiring a sustainable management plan will not be required to engage a planner to complete their application forms� In addition to the priority given to designated land, applicants will be assessed on the basis of selection criteria reflecting previous participation in REPS, farm size and location in disadvantaged areas� Full details of the scheme will be announced by my Department in the next day or so� I want to reiterate my commitment to agri-environment schemes that put environmentally friendly farming to the fore and recognise the vital role farmers play in delivering public goods for the benefit of all of society. This commitment is matched by the enthusiasm of Irish farmers who have shown a keen willingness to engage with environmental issues since the introduction of the first agri-environment scheme and have done so in huge numbers. There are approxi- mately 30,000 participants in REPS� The agri-environment options scheme, which is the suc- cessor to REPS, is a more targeted agri-environment scheme� It is part-funded from modulation funds under the CAP health check. The scheme specifically targets the three challenges - halt- ing biodiversity loss, contributing to the improvement of water quality and combating climate change - that have been assigned the highest priority at European level as they are in need of urgent action� There are currently approximately 14,500 participants in AEOS I and II� 25/09/2012B00200Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív: I welcome the Minister’s belated announcement in relation to AEOS III� It is an important scheme for many farmers� Can the Minister outline the estimated expenditure on REPS in 2012 and in 2013? Will there be constraints in the new agri-environ- ment options scheme? Will it be open to all farmers or will it be confined to farmers in