Results 641-660 of 4,825 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: I set up a special tranche of TAMS in response to Storm Éowyn. I announced last week that there was 100% approval for all valid applications received under that. Emergency tranche 7 covered Storm Éowyn. It closed for applications on 28 March. A total of 1,945 applications were submitted in respect of the agreed emergency investments to cover back-up generators; sheep, bovine and...

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: I could not fund things retrospectively through the TAMS to cover roofs being blown off sheds. Historically, a TAMS grant would only cover a new shed or structure. A number of cases were brought to me. Deputy Fitzmaurice and others gave me examples of sheds whose roofs had been blown off and just needed new power lines, rafters and roofing, but the rest of the structure was sound. I have...

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: Tranche 7 is closed. That was the back-up generators and all those elements. It is closed. A total of 1,945 people applied. They are issuing letters now. That tranche covers the back-up generators, fencing and those elements that were in it. Obviously, there is less risk of a big storm at this time of year. I need the work to be done during the summer in order that we are well placed...

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: I would happily answer it, but there would be a demarcation dispute in this committee.

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: Yes. It is not about Storm Éowyn; it is about learning from Storm Éowyn, where sheds were structurally sound but had roof damage. I want future TAMS grants to be able to cover a scenario where a shed roof is damaged by a storm but the rest of the shed is fine. In that instance, a farmer does not need a brand-new shed; he or she needs a new roof. We know the damage the weight of...

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: I opened a special tranche especially for those impacted by Storm Éowyn. It was open for two weeks under emergency tranche 7. It closed on 28 March. A total of 1,945 farmers applied, who are being issued with letters now. I announced last week that 100% of those applications were going to be approved and funded. No one was left behind. Everyone who applied under the back-up...

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: No.

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: If it is a reactor, it is not.

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: If it is clear, then yes.

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: Following engagement I have had with all stakeholders and farm organisations, I have taken on board the Deputy's concern. Most farmers are petrified are having a reactor and a breakdown in his or her herd, even more than what the Deputy has just outlined, but I understand the concern about that. I am reflecting on those points of concern that have been raised with regard to herd...

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: In some instances, yes.

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: We can place-----

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: That is fine. We will place as much emphasis on where the problem areas are. It does not, however, mean turning our backs on an area in which disease is seeding out that we cannot ignore. There are three causes of the spread of bovine TB. The Deputy is right; one of them is wildlife. Another is cattle transmission. The last is the residual transmission left behind in the cohort that has...

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Cooney for his comments and the point he made regarding ACRES. I know, from having dealt with him with regard to individual cases in Clare, that this has been a very difficult issue for many of his constituents. I was determined to do two things. One was to address the 14,500 farmers who were due money when I came into this role as quickly as possible. The other was to make...

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: I am working closely with the Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae, on the area of forestry. Really good progress has been made to support those farmers who are significantly impacted by Storm Éowyn. Historic proportions of forestry were flattened around the country in windblown elements. What I and the Minister of State have done is to look to support those 26,000 ha that have been...

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: There absolutely is more we can do. We have to change our approach because the current approach is not working and if we continue to go as we are going, the cost on farmers and the cost out of my budget on compensation will be off the charts. If I have to spend more, I would prefer to spend it once-off on a long-term solution that addresses this. That is what the whole approach has been....

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: The estimated figure of money?

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: Yes, that will include the compensation money, but the truth is that that original figure of €97 million from 2024 included a Supplementary Estimate. There was not enough budgeted for at that time. The spread of the disease has been increasing. It was at 23% between 2023 and 2024 and is 44% now, as Deputy Cooney said. What is budgeted for this year is €73.5 million. That...

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: Exactly.

Select Committee on Agriculture and Food: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Further Revised) (18 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: That must be on the smaller page, is it?