Results 4,501-4,520 of 23,957 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

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

Charlie McConalogue: This is an historic opportunity, one that we in government are grasping and driving forward. That is why months of effort have gone into this. It is why we have consulted farm organisations across the country. Deputy Carthy, who is present, is one of the members of the agriculture committee who put significant work into the report and the 20 recommendations, 18 of which I have accepted or...

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

Charlie McConalogue: However, I do believe that what is being mentioned in these amendments is already covered in the legislation. The legislation covers meat processors and the sale of livestock, and it covers much more broadly than that as well. These amendments are not necessary because the provisions are already contained in the legislation. There were several months of hard work, consultation and...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I thank all the Deputies for the discussion on the amendments. As they will know, this legislation has had several months of work in terms of its preparation and very significant engagement, first in respect of my Department, working with the team and engaging with the stakeholders, a comprehensive consultation process with all farming organisations and all stakeholders that had an interest...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (26 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Under the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) 2023-2027, Eco-Schemes will be implemented across EU Member States to provideall farmers regardless of sector with an opportunity to participate and deliver agricultural practices that are beneficial to climate, biodiversity, the environment and water quality. While Eco-Schemes are voluntary for farmers, they are mandatory for Member States. Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (26 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General in 2018, referred to by the Deputy, noted that the Cost Benefit Analysis carried out by the Department in 2014 excluded several cost factors due to the difficulty in quantifying them, including the tax treatment of forestry and the report went on to make the following recommendations:Where significant programme changes are being considered, a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (26 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: As part of the development of the Forest Strategy 2023 to 2030, my Department is continuing to reassess its policy with regard to future afforestation on organic soils. These organic soils are an extremely important store of carbon in Ireland and any future afforestation must not undermine this function. Consideration must also be given to EU environmental law and the State Aid...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (26 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: As previously advised on 19th April 2023, the person named has been paid in full for their participation in the Results Based Environment Agri Pilot Programme (REAP). The final payment was issued on 19th December 2022 .

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (26 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I am committed to reducing the incidence rate of TB in the country. I am acutely aware of the financial and emotional pain associated with a TB breakdown and we are all working to eradicate TB as quickly as possible. As part of the work of the TB Forum, a dedicated Financial Working Group comprising representatives from my Department and the farming organisations had been set up to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (26 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (26 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 to 141, inclusive, together. I am well aware that as ash dieback disease progresses nationally and within individual ash plantations, the potential health and safety risks associated with forest plantations, roadside and parkland ash trees will become an issue of increasing importance for landowners, workers and visitors. As with any other health...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (26 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Details of a wide range of payment schemes and support measures operated by my Department are available on the Gov.ie website under the following link. In addition, my Department also provides funding for the following Schemes set out in the attached table. Scheme Overview Application Open date Payments available Agri Food Tourism ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (26 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department allocates significant resources to live exports, both in supporting the trade and ensuring the welfare of animals being transported. It is an important market for us to help drive competition. Whilst I note the media report that you refer to, the transaction of animal sales is a private commercial activity. Decisions in relation to the granting...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (26 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The 25% sectoral emission ceiling set for the agriculture sector is a hugely challenging target and one that will see our sector change over the coming decade with scientific and technological solutions evolving all the time. In the Climate Action Plan 2023, Agriculture has focused on three themes: Inputs and additives, husbandry practices and diversification. These measures include...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (26 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: It is Government policy that Coillte, as the State forestry company, should play a leading role in addressing our climate change and biodiversity challenges and they have responded to this in their new Forestry Vision and Strategy. This new vision aims to deliver multiple benefits from its forests and bring more focus to climate action, setting ambitious new targets on biodiversity and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta (25 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I have referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta (25 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I have referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Contracts (25 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The production of licences is a team effort and requires administrative staff, forestry Inspectors and, when required, archaeologists and ecologists. It is estimated that ecologists are involved in around 75 to 80% of all licence files, but they also work on other non-licence files and other ecology-related activities. 4,713 licences issued in 2022 as well as other non-licence scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (25 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is an agri-environment climate measure in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027. The Government has committed €1.5 billion to ACRES over its duration and every effort is being made to ensure the Scheme not only addresses a range of environmental, climate and biodiversity objectives but is also attractive to farmers as it...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (25 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department issued an annual payment statement and cover letter directly to the person named on 20 April 2023. The statement lists all scheme payments paid during the 2022 calendar year.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (25 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 436, 437 and 444 together. The Deputy may be aware that the first confirmed finding of Ash Dieback Disease (Hymenoscyphus fraxineaus) in Ireland was made on 12thOctober 2012 at a forestry plantation site which had been planted in 2009 with trees imported from continental Europe. In March 2013 the Department introduced a Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara Ash...