Results 10,441-10,460 of 23,978 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fishing Communities (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I look forward to coming down to Kerry in September with the Deputy and the Minister for Education and in the meantime working with the Deputy regarding how we can move things forward and work together on this. There has been significant investment across the county over the past ten years. I know the Deputy very much values the impact of that assessment and how it makes a significant...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I will relay to the Minister of State, who is working to address this and make genuine progress, the Deputy's representations and the points she has made. Nationally, the public dental health service staff of the HSE comprise 260 dentists, 60 dental hygienists and 510 dental nurses and dental surgery assistants. Over the course of the pandemic, the number of available staff has reduced by...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Disability Services (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Murphy for her Topical Issue matter. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, has asked me to take it as she could not be here herself and I am glad to do so. The matter Deputy Murphy has submitted refers in particular to addressing the three-year wait time for disability dental services across County Wexford. She has raised specific cases in her contribution. I will relay...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Gender Equality (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I again thank Deputy Carthy for putting this matter on the agenda. It is a matter we need to ensure is addressed as part of our CAP plan. Earlier, I outlined some of the interventions that were identified for consideration. The LEADER programme, CPD for advisers, knowledge transfer programme and national supports, including the ACORNS programme have been identified as opportunities here. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Gender Equality (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Thankfully we have seen improvement in recent years. It has been refreshing for the sector to see an increasing number of women take up leadership roles, including running and managing farms. Some of the most high-profile, innovative, productive and passionate farmers are women and are leading the charge in that regard. Much of the generational renewal that is happening now is bringing...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Act 1933 and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers, as well as various statutory consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: As Minister, my role is a policy one, that is, putting in place the legislation for this procedure. The process of dealing with the applications is one on which the independent Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board is statutorily independent. I cannot get involved in particular cases one way or another. Obviously, the Deputy can make her views known on that but it is a matter that should be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The nature of an appeal process is that the appeals body can overturn as well as agree with the decision made initially. That is a matter for it to consider in accordance with the legislation. The legislation is comprehensive, taking into account all environmental considerations and the potential impacts of an application. The application the Deputy is referring to is under the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for his question. As required under the provisions in EU Council Directive 2019/904, the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications recently signed into force national regulations prohibiting the use of single-use plastics. This includes films of the type used to cover sown maize. I understand that the industry is developing alternative products for use in the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I understand the challenges this pose. As already stated, the Department is conducting the VCU supporting trials for uncovered maize. We will look at any means by which we can support the industry to adjust to this. The background to what is happening is the EU directive on single-use plastics that was adopted in June 2020. This directive aims to prevent and reduce the impact of certain...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Approximately 14,500 ha of maize are grown in the country. As we have discussed, there are two types of system - the uncovered approach and the covered approach. The covered approach is a more expensive one. With the inputs, it is about €300 per hectare but the yields tend to be far more stable, higher and more weather-resistant. The evidence is that in the region of 90% of maize...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Gender Equality (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for this very important question. Gender equality is a key priority of my Department, one of the founding values of the European Union and a key objective of the United Nations sustainable development goals. The programme for Government includes commitments to develop and implement a new national strategy for women and girls and to act on the recommendations of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: All applications for aquaculture licences for the cultivation of salmon are considered in accordance with an extensive suite of national and EU legislation, including the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Act 1993, the EU birds and habitats directives and the consolidated environmental impact assessment directives of 2014. This suite of legislation provides for stringent...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: It is important that every aspect of an application be taken into account, and an important part of that is the ecological and environmental impact be fully assessed. The application and assessment process is rigorous in that regard and goes through it in great detail. As I pointed out, the list of consultees that make submissions is extensive, while the legislation, which has to be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: It is not a matter of me having to say anything. These systems were not dreamed up; they were put together after rigorous engagement and in full compliance with all European and national laws, particularly environmental law and those relating to habitats and ecological requirements. It is a comprehensive and rigorous assessment-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: A robust system is in place. There have been significant-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The report in 2017 was significantly concerned with the delays and backlogs that had developed up to that point. That is being worked through-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: -----and licences are being dealt with in a timely fashion. It is important to have a balanced approach to this. While the Deputy outlined the views of those who are opposed to salmon and oyster farming, many people in her constituency and others are very much in favour of it. It can, and does, contribute very positively to the economy and to producing sustainable, healthy food. We have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The point Deputy Canney makes is a good one in that while there will be increased ambition and asks made of farmers, it is important that this is done in a partnership approach and, in particular, that farmers are paid for the work and actions they are being offered to participate in. That has to be central to how we approach this. It will be an important part of the Common Agricultural...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I concur with a lot of Deputy Canney's sentiments as to how we approach this. As we go forward, we will identify the level of ambition that is required and then engage as to how that is supported financially and how farmers are supported in that work. There is undoubtedly real potential in respect of renewables. That is an area we are exploring and will continue to explore and that farmers...