Results 9,321-9,340 of 23,978 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: As part of the work of the TB Forum, a dedicated Financial Working Group comprising representatives from my Department and the farming organisations has been set up to review the current financial model of the TB programme, which includes compensation schemes and includes all types of bovine herds. Recommendations from the Finance Working Group will be submitted to the TB Forum for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Renewable Energy Generation (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I am acutely aware of the role that farmers in particular can play in helping to achieve our ambitious national emission reduction targets for the energy sector through the adoption of renewable energy generating technology. Adoption of renewable energy at farm level can serve as both a cost saving measure and can also provide an opportunity for diversification of income and activity. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Funding (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The budget allocation for LEADER under the previous Rural Development Programme (RDP) for the seven-year period 2014-2020 was €250 million. An additional €70 million was made available for LEADER in 2021 and 2022 under the transitional arrangements that extended the application of the RDP. A further indicative allocation of €180 million for the LEADER Programme is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Renewable Energy Generation (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: While overall national energy policy formation is the direct responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) my Department continuously engages with DECC on all energy related matters from an agricultural perspective, as well as a wide range of industry and other stakeholder groupings. The importance of renewable energy generation, particularly from...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I am very aware of the significant increase in fertiliser prices over the last year, particularly in recent months and its impact at farm level. I know this will be a challenge for many farmers in 2022. The fertiliser market is largely driven by global supply and demand and, while there are a number of factors influencing fertiliser price, the major driving factors for the increase in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The current Programme for Government contains a commitment to align Ireland’s organic land area with that of the current EU average of approximately 7.5% over the lifetime of this Government. I have secured funding for the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) to meet this commitment by increasing the budget to €21 million in 2022, up from €16 million last year with another...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Terms and Conditions of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) informs all applicants of their right to apply for Force Majeure and the circumstances under which it may be applicable. All applicants have access to these Terms and Conditions. When an applicant submits their annual online application, they must confirm that they have read and understood the Terms and Conditions. Penalty letters...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horticulture Sector (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I am very well aware of the concerns in relation to the availability of peat which are generating challenges (volume and price) for the horticulture sector. As the Deputy knows, my Department is not involved in the regulation of peat extraction. Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Malcolm Noonan T.D., established a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Supports (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I launched a Brexit Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme in September 2021 on foot of the recommendation for such a scheme in the Report of the Seafood Sector Task Force - Navigating Change (October 2021). The Scheme was established as a targeted measure for certain segments of the fishing fleet to mitigate the loss of income in 2021 arising from the significant quota reductions under the Trade and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Wool is a natural substance that is sustainable, organic, renewable and which may be used in a range of products such as textiles, fertilizers, and insulation. There are approximately 46,332 flock-keepers and 50 approved and registered wool stores registered with the Department, making it an important component of the agri-food sector. A review of the potential demand for wool-based products...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Programme for Government places a positive emphasis on animal welfare and specifically commits to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. This Act provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare and replaced a number of enactments dating back over a century. The Act was passed, after a lengthy...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I am a strong supporter of generational renewal and the need to support young farmers as way of ensuring we have the best and brightest enter the sector. The challenge of generational renewal is widely recognised both at national and EU level with the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) citing it as one of its nine key objectives. Food Vision 2030, the new stakeholder-led strategy for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 states that I, as Minister, may pay compensation to owners of animals if a cull of those animals is directed by my Department in the event of an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The compensation may relate to the animal that is culled, or to an animal product, animal feed or similar item that is destroyed in relation to the outbreak. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I am hugely supportive of the need to support farmers in our ambition to reduce methane emissions from agriculture. However, it is crucial that we do this is a way that maintains food production. Earlier this year I launched the Food Vision 2030 strategy which has signalled an intention to reduce methane emissions by 10% by 2030. This level of reduction will be needed to contribute to the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Developing market opportunities at home and abroad is one of the goals of Food Vision 2030, the overarching strategy for the development of the agri-food sector which was developed in collaboration with stakeholders and published in August. Value-added opportunities will be maintained and created by the retention and the growth of existing market shares, development of new international...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The current Programme for Government is committed to aligning Ireland’s organic land area with that of the EU average of 7.5%, which is also consistent with the target proposed by Agri-Food Strategy 2030. This is my commitment as Minister with responsibility for the area and all of our organic policies are designed to achieving this very ambitious goal. In parallel, my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Funding (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy is aware, I visited Cromane in September and I met with the Cromane Community Group to discuss the potential future development in Cromane Harbour and I believe that a shared goal exists to progress this project. Cromane Harbour Pier is owned by Kerry County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with that Local Authority in the first instance and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: On-farm carbon removals and carbon pool protection will play an important role in meeting the agricultural sectors challenging climate change targets over the next number of years. It is important that the protection of carbon pools and the increased removal and storage of atmospheric carbon brought about through the activities of our farmers is not only recognised in the National...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: We are proposing a single Eco-Scheme, that will reward farmers for undertaking actions beneficial to the climate, biodiversity, water quality and the environment. The Eco-Scheme will be delivered in accordance with Article 31 (7) (b) of the new CAP Strategic Plan Regulation and will be based on income foregone and costs incurred. This scheme will be implemented annually and will be open to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The new CAP places a particular focus on promoting the participation of women in the social economic development of rural areas, with special attention to farming. Gender equality is also a key objective of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and a priority for me, as Minister. I am pleased therefore to be proposing the highest level of direct supports for women...