Results 4,761-4,780 of 23,963 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Irish Sheep Sector: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Whether someone is a part-time or full-time farmer, and regardless of size or scale, no one can question the commitment and hard work of sheep farmers across the country. From lambing ewes in the middle of a stormy night to keeping the flock healthy and well over the spring and summer, it is hard work. In some instances, it is a labour of love. Overall, though, the sheep sector is a...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which is close to his heart. He has shown massive commitment to it in the past and has been involved with it for many years. I have worked with him on it in recent times. I was glad to meet the management of the race course with the Deputy a few weeks ago to be updated on its concerns for the future and hear about its desire to ensure the track...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Cahill for raising this matter. I recognise his advocacy for the implementation of a new forestry programme. I also recognise his strong advocacy in regard to ash die-back and the need to support forestry owners whose lands are affected by this disease to reconstitute and replant. On the new forestry programme, we continue to engage with the European Commission in regard...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: That is being backed by the massive funding that the Government is committing to it.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Lowry for raising this important matter which is a significant issue in his constituency. We have an interim scheme in place, which I introduced recently along with the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. It has improved the terms and conditions and improved supports on the previous scheme. We are also continuing to review how we go forward on this issue. I have made it...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's felling licences do not include provisions regarding the ultimate destination of wood products. My Department does not collate the amount of wood removals nationally and this role is now carried out by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The CSO provides a range of forestry statistics on their website and in 2021 reported that 209,000...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horticulture Sector (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector assists in the development of the horticulture sector, including beekeeping, by grant aiding capital investments in specialised plant and equipment including renewable energy, as well as technology adoption specific to commercial horticulture production. The Scheme is subject to EU Guidelines for State...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy may be aware that the first confirmed finding of Ash Dieback Disease (Hymenoscyphus fraxineaus) in Ireland was made on 12 October 2012 at a forestry plantation site in County Leitrim which had been planted in 2009 with trees imported from continental Europe. In March 2013 the Department introduced a Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara Ash Dieback) to restore forests planted under the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The practice of Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) is an important environmentally sustainable technology that will facilitate Ireland meeting its environmental commitments through reductions in ammonia and other reactive nitrogen emissions from soil. The practice leads to greater nutrient recovery from slurries and indirectly improved nutrient use efficiency, as well as a reduced...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Water Quality (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is the lead authority for the Nitrates Regulations and the associated interim review of the fifth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP). My Department works very closely with DHLGH in this regard. The interim review of the Nitrates Action Programme will take place later this year. The purpose of that review is to undertake an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I am acutely aware of the impact rising input costs has on farmers, their families and businesses. This is a period of challenge and uncertainty for our farm families and I have been working to support them through this period. The rise in fertiliser prices over the past eighteen months has been significant. There are a number of factors at play in the market including energy prices,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hen Harriers (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Hen Harrier Project is operationally independent of my Department and is run by the Hen Harrier Project Team. The Project team are responsible for the administration of the project and associated payments. Any queries relating to payments due should be addressed directly to the Project team.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 357 together. The Deputy may be aware that the first confirmed finding of Ash Dieback Disease (Hymenoscyphus fraxineaus) in Ireland was made on 12 October 2012 at a forestry plantation site in County Leitrim which had been planted in 2009 with trees imported from continental Europe. In March 2013 the Department introduced a Reconstitution Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: In 2022 we saw a significant increase in the issuing of afforestation licences, with my Department issuing 702 afforestation licences for an area of 4,972 hectares. Valid unused Afforestation licences are being extended until the end of 2023 to give landowners every opportunity to plant and they will attract increased premium rates and a longer term of 20 years for farmers. In relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Farmers are deemed active farmers, even if their entire holding is afforested under the National Forestry Programme, provided they continue to manage the forestry in compliance with the conditions of that scheme. In terms of eligibility for direct payment schemes, land afforested since 2009, which was eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme, will continue to be eligible for payments under...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continues to issue and accept felling licence applications and has to date this year issued 725 felling licences. Furthermore last year we issued record levels of felling licences at 3,293 for 9.6 million cubic metres of wood or 46,027 Hectares. These licences have up to 10 year timelines and are being used by forest owners providing work...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The COFORD Council who provide advice to my Department prepare periodically a range of indicative roundwood forecasts for forests in Ireland. The most recent forecast was published in 2021 and provides indicative figures for the period 2021 to 2040. This forecast is available to download from the COFORD website at the address www.COFORD.ie. The COFORD forecast 2021-2040, table 5 provides the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (30 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Each private forestry felling licence application is recorded on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's Forestry application portal and is also available to view on the Forestry Licence Viewer since 2021. The information recorded includes the proposed area and species type. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine publishes a weekly dashboard, available on the...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Yes. I will run through a few points. I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, and the membership for making the time available today to step this Bill forward on Committee Stage. It is important legislation and will help future-proof large parts of the industry and ensure we have robust measures in place that will benefit both farmers and businesses for the years to come. The Bill seeks to...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Bill 2023: Committee Stage (29 Mar 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I move amendment No. 1: In page 7, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “(4) Part 3 comes into operation on such day or days as the Minister may appoint by order or orders either generally or, in relation to the amendments to the Fertilisers Feeding Stuffs and Mineral Mixtures Act 1955 effected by that Part, with reference to any particular purpose or provision...