Results 141-160 of 2,944 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022: Report Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: That was because he was in the House. The Deputy knows that.

Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022: Report Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: Sorry nothing. Do not misrepresent it.

Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022: Report Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: I will call the Deputy out when he is not telling the truth.

Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022: Report Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: It was Questions to the Taoiseach.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Industry (20 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: I am in complete agreement with Deputy Durkan on this point. When we talk about these competing factors, one thing sometimes gets lost in this debate. When we talk about food security, some people think food security is us just producing enough food for ourselves and do not worry about Ireland having to export all the food we export. This is not the right approach. Out of 113 countries,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Industry (20 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for giving us the opportunity to debate this important point in the House. They are not mutually exclusive points. I am in agreement with the Deputy that we can do this. This Government will support farmers to continue to produce safe, nutritious and top-quality food - nutrient-dense food that is needed around the world for our growing population. We will support them...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Supports (20 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: Come on.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (20 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: We would love the sheep sector to be able to qualify for funding under the Brexit adjustment reserve, but it is not easy to prove the current challenges faced by the sector are directly linked to Brexit. The big challenges from Brexit are down the line and the medium-term risks are related to future trade deals. The EU will make deals. The UK has not done yet done the deals with New...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (20 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: The Deputies should have no doubt that we recognise the importance of the sheep sector. We want a vibrant one in the future and understand the challenges it has faced. A specific question was on the Brexit adjustment reserve. In this regard, it is right that we sweat every opportunity and analyse every avenue where there might be funding we can secure. Making the specific case has not...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Industry (20 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this really important issue. He is dead right in that, as we face the challenge of combating the worst effects of climate change, we face competing demands. I am always struck by the UN sustainability goals, of which there are 17. One is about addressing climate change. The second one is about having zero hunger in the world by 2030. In the context of a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (20 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising this important question. A vibrant sheep sector is as an integral element of a balanced regional economy and sheep farmers are committed to producing a world-class, safe and sustainable product. Although there has been a solid and sustained increase in average sheep prices since the end of February, I recognise that sheep farmers are experiencing more...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: Do as I say, not as I do.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: In response to Deputy Danny Healy-Rae's points and questions, I reassure the House that farmers are, with the help of the State, on a journey to improve our biodiversity and ensure the food we produce is produced more sustainably into the future while continuing to produce the top-quality, safe and nutritious food that is trusted across the world. It is intrinsic to our economic prosperity,...

Irish Sheep Sector: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: I am delighted to have the opportunity to discuss the important area of the sheep sector. It is something that has been raised on the floor of this House by colleagues from all sides, in fairness, as we all recognise the challenges faced by our sheep farmers this winter and into this spring. I have spoken previously about the significant contribution sheep farming makes to rural Ireland....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Dillon for raising what is a really important issue and something I have discussed this issue with farmers throughout the country. Farmers have concerns around the new nitrates rules. These rules are in place to ensure there is an improvement in water quality, which is something all farmers have a commitment to and share that commitment. Understandably, farmers have concerns...

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: Will we just make them homeless next Christmas, just after Santa Claus.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Supports (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: As I said, there is an opportunity in the online form filling element for farmers and for us. I will give the Deputy a very clear commitment here. We constantly review how our systems work. This will be a really challenging year. The first year of a new CAP scheme, with all of the new IT systems, is very challenging for us. If we see a trend of a significant number of farmers all making...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Inshore Fisheries (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: I accept the passion the Deputy has for this topic. In answer to the specific question she put down, I am happy to state very clearly that it is still our intention to implement the programme for Government commitment in this regard. Obviously, I am not going to comment on the legal case before the courts or the length of time that matter is taking. I can give the Deputy the reassurance,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Inshore Fisheries (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: The Deputy will understand that it is not possible for me to pre-empt the court decision. However, I will state very clearly that I take on board the concerns raised by the Deputy. Prior to the issuing of the court's ruling, however, we are not in a position to apply the original policy of December 2018 because it is before the courts. We look forward to the decision. The Deputy...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Supports (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I know form-filling and all the rest is a constant source of frustration. I will put on the record of the House, as I have done previously, that I am a farmer. I come from a farming background. My wife and I still have an active farm in south Kildare. It is frustrating that this is happening. Maybe I came come into this role of Minister of State...