Results 2,001-2,020 of 4,472 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agri-Strategy 2025 (8 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: Devising strategy is an ongoing and ever-evolving process. The Department and I are absolutely determined to identify new opportunities for our premier producers to improve and supplement their income. There are huge opportunities in a number of areas. When we talk about environmental elements, it tends to be with a fairly negative approach insofar as they may impact on agriculture,...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Food Exports (8 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: The Deputy makes a valid point. With any new start-up, whether innovative or otherwise, there are challenges of scale and of ramping up all of the competences within that company quickly enough for it to be able to put its best foot forward. From the political perspective, the Minister and I use our good offices to open those opportunities. Working closely with the State agencies, we try...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Food Exports (8 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: The Department has a network of agricultural attachés throughout the embassy network. Through the Department of Foreign Affairs and the embassy network, we have increased significantly the footprint of Irish diplomats and supports all across the world. The Bord Bia team is phenomenal. In my short time in the Department and in this role, I have been impressed by the young dynamic...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Food Exports (8 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: Gaining third country market access and opening up trading opportunities throughout the world for Irish exports has long been integral to the Department’s strategic approach to the development of the agrifood sector. This has grown increasingly important as we deal with the challenges presented by both the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit. While trade missions will continue to play a key...

Finance Bill 2020: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: I would like to follow up on the points made by Deputy Canney on this International Day of People with Disabilities. I am sure the Ceann Comhairle will join me in supporting the County Kildare Access Network's light up Kildare purple week. That is what I am doing with this mask here today. The proposal before the House with regard to the accelerated capital allowance addresses the issues...

Finance Bill 2020: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: I will begin by thanking the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, and his officials in the Department of Finance for their work and co-operation on this very important measure, which has been a goal of mine since my appointment as Minister of State with special responsibility for farm safety. This is one of a range of measures I have wanted to introduce. The purpose of it is twofold, as the Minister,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (18 Nov 2020)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for that point, which I take on board. I share the seriousness the Deputy places on this particular development and its overall impact in that part of the State and for the dairy sector in general. Given its importance I will not be drawn into speaking about it specifically because I do not want to prejudice any matter before the courts. Suffice to say, I believe that...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (18 Nov 2020)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Cahill for raising this important issue. He will understand, however, that due to it being sub judiceand before a judicial review that I do not want to get into the specifics of the matter. I do not want to prejudice any matter before the courts. In general, however, I understand the concern which the Deputy raises. It is an issue of which I was aware. The importance which...

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Motion (10 Nov 2020)

Martin Heydon: I am very happy to vote to express confidence in our Tánaiste and the Government today. I will spend my limited time expanding on my confidence in Tánaiste, on which I look forward to voting shortly, because we all know the amendment to the motion tabled by Sinn Féin has nothing to do with him. It is all about Sinn Féin's focus on political game playing. In June 2020,...

General Practitioner Contract: Statements (3 Nov 2020)

Martin Heydon: It is shameful.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Preparations (3 Nov 2020)

Martin Heydon: There has been extensive engagement with all stakeholders in this regard. We are doing all the work we can. It is important that those who export engage with ferry companies, which have said direct ferry sailings options are available. My Department has been very active in encouraging all such elements. There has been significant co-operation with the Department of Transport because of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Preparations (3 Nov 2020)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Durkan for the question. There are two parts to this issue. The first is increasing third country market access and furthering trade opportunities. This is absolutely critical and is an integral part of my Department's response to the challenges of Brexit. My Department has been very active in this regard through trade missions and leveraging our network of agricultural...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Industry (3 Nov 2020)

Martin Heydon: I completely agree. It is important to address rural prosperity. The bioeconomy affords an opportunity to develop innovative and valuable bio-based products, redistribute incomes and generate jobs and prosperity in rural areas. We have seen examples of this, including the development, through EU funding, of a biorefinery for dairy waste in Lisheen, County Tipperary, and the development of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Industry (3 Nov 2020)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Griffin for the question. The critical role of the bioeconomy in a sustainable global transition has been widely recognised albeit we are in the early stage of its development. The bioeconomy refers to the development of value from biological resources with a particular focus on converting waste streams into valuable products or, perhaps, streams that were previously seen as...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Industry (3 Nov 2020)

Martin Heydon: Absolutely. In many ways, the bioeconomy looks at the opportunities in products we previously saw as only having one direct use or outcome. In my Department and in my area of responsibility for research and development, we seek to use that money we invest in research and development to develop new opportunities in those areas. The bioeconomy is another way of taking one element of an...

Financial Resolutions 2020 - Financial Resolution No. 7: General (Resumed) (15 Oct 2020)

Martin Heydon: I wish to share time with the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, and Deputy Higgins. As Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for new market development, farm safety and research and innovation I welcome the measures that have come about this week in budget 2021. Given that fatal incidents on farms account for almost 50% of all...

European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 318 of 2020): Motion [Private Members] (29 Sep 2020)

Martin Heydon: I am sharing time with Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan. I thank Deputy Mac Lochlainn and his party colleagues for affording me the opportunity to discuss this important motion. The EU's fisheries control regulation of 2009 established a community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy, CFP. One of the important measures introduced by the control...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tuberculosis Eradication Programme (24 Sep 2020)

Martin Heydon: I need to clarify that, although the Deputy calls it a system and a proposal, it is neither a system nor a proposal. It is information that has been distilled to farmers previously and that now has been distilled in a clearer way, giving very clear identification as to the risk. It is one key element for farmers in decision making. Farmers make decisions every year on what stock they keep...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Tuberculosis Eradication Programme (24 Sep 2020)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue and for the kind sentiments she expressed at the start of her contribution. I also thank the Ceann Comhairle for his kind words. I look forward to carrying out my duties to the best of my ability. The issuance of herd test history statements and reports to all cattle herd owners is viewed as just one of several measures that will...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Estates (7 Jul 2020)

Martin Heydon: 317. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of applications by Kildare County Council for funding to complete a housing estate (details supplied) with developer provided infrastructure; when a decision will issue on the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14424/20]