Results 181-200 of 2,066 for speaker:Joe Flaherty

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I appreciate that it would be a snapshot, but it would give us an insight into whether we are getting improvements. At the moment, we are taking a leap of faith as we will not see the improvements in the reduction of nitrogen use for six to 12 months. At least, if we could see an indicative report in December this year for January to June 2024, we would know we are on the right track and it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: Exactly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: The EPA could send us a draft report.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: The water quality report is very good, but there is never specific mention in it of wastewater. Agriculture is mentioned many times and I appreciate that we are the primary source of nitrates in water, but the next one is wastewater. Can the EPA give us an indication of whether there have been improvements and what it is doing in enforcement? If there is a rogue in the room, there is a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: My next question is about enforcement and is directed at Mr. Byrne. There has been no significant change in the biological quality of rivers or waters. There have been some improvements but these have been offset by the declines in other areas. If I was looking after enforcement, I would do it strategically on key areas. Can Mr. Byrne set out a map in terms of enforcement? Is the EPA...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: Are all those 57 positions filled?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: We did 1,000 inspections for agriculture in 2022 while 1,100 last year were targeted and the number for 2024 was 3,500. What was the number at the end of June?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: The EPA must have some indication.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: At best, will we be under 2,000 for this year?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: There is obviously a failing on the part of some of these local authorities in that they have been given the posts and they are not filling them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I know the EPA is very politically correct with its answers but are there rogue local authorities that are not shouldering their weight?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: We have targets for water quality to 2027. Obviously the EPA is looking at the figures and real-time reports. It is dependent on an annual report that is at best dated. From where the EPA is sitting, does it see itself attaining those 2027 targets given where we are now and the likely projections in terms of progress? Are the water quality targets for 2027 attainable?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: What do we need to do to move that dial?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: Will Dr. Cotter come back to the committee on whether the EPA can do an interim six-month report in December?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Waterways Ireland: Discussion. (9 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the witnesses for coming in and engaging with us so fully throughout this process. At the outset and for a point of clarification on Mr. Rowe’s contribution in response to the Minister's question, I will be suggesting and recommending that Waterways Ireland come back to us again when they have revised their pricing. Obviously pricing is a key issue. The €200 charge on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Waterways Ireland: Discussion. (9 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: On a point of clarification, is Waterways Ireland revisiting the by-laws as they stand with regard to the pricing structure? Is the committee agreed that we will come back to this before they are submitted to the Department?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Waterways Ireland: Discussion. (9 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: Okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Waterways Ireland: Discussion. (9 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: That is okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Waterways Ireland: Discussion. (9 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I wish to make a clarification in case it is thought I do not understand or appreciate the great work Waterways Ireland does. Obviously, in my constituency, we see the ongoing restoration of the Royal Canal, the transformation and development of Richmond harbour in Cloondara and the ongoing development and integration of boating and recreational facilities at Abbeyshrule, as well as the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Decentralisation Programme (9 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: 52. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider a programme of decentralisation of Government Departments to assist rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29437/24]