Results 10,561-10,580 of 23,978 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 470, 471 and 473 together. The agri-food sector has benefited from an approach to strategic planning through the development of 10-year stakeholder-led strategies, updated every five years. Since their inception 20 years ago, up to the current Food Wise 2025 plan, these strategies have ensured that the sector has a coherent vision and strategy to underpin...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 472, 474, 475 and 477 together. I am very aware of the contribution of the meat and dairy sectors to Irish agri-food as a whole, supporting significant levels of direct employment as well as their role in supporting rural economies and the wider national economy. The Department and I continue to prioritise supporting the sustainable development of these...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: No changes to the regulations in relation to pig husbandry or welfare have been introduced in recent years; the current law dates back to 2008 (Council Directive 2008/120/EC). This Directive was transposed into Irish law and has remained unchanged since then (SIs 71 of 2009 and 311 of 2010). The European Commission has drawn attention to the urgent need for compliance by the intensive pig...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department is aware of the significant contribution that on-farm carbon sequestration, particularly through our soils and hedgerows, can make in the continued viability and sustainability of the agri-food sector. Recent initiatives supported through funding from the Department will provide much needed data on the emission profile of our farms and will inform policy decisions in this...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The import of products of animal origin from third countries is governed by a comprehensive and robust legislative framework laid down at EU level, controlled by Member States in the first instance, and audited by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Food Safety to ensure compliance with all of the relevant food safety standards. Countries and indeed...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 480 to 483, inclusive, together. Developing increased trade opportunities continues to be an integral part of the Department’s response to the challenges posed by Brexit. The key challenge here is to continue to maximise the volume and value of Irish agri-food exports to all destinations, and to anticipate and, as best we can, mitigate the potential...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The queries referred to, concerning the treatment of potato crops, are currently being considered. A response to the queries will be issued shortly. The Department recognises that there are challenges for the potato industry and that, in particular, there are challenges relating to procedures for the effective desiccation of crops. A number of actions have been taken to support growers....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: If I may, Chairman, I wish to make a number of introductory remarks to thank both the Chairman and the joint committee for facilitating the pre-legislative scrutiny on this Bill within a very good timeframe, which I appreciate. As the Chairman has outlined this is a unique initiative and action in respect of the closing down of a sector which emanates from a commitment in the programme for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Fitzmaurice, I will respond at the outset and will then ask Mr. Greally to respond. The approach being taken here is very much informed by reports we have commissioned from outside expert advice through Grant Thornton on what an appropriate compensation scheme would be and to also take on board what has happened previously internationally because there have been significant...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Through the Chairman, I ask Mr. Greally to come in here at this point, please.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for those questions. The report has advised us based previous experience. I ask Mr. Greally to elaborate on and explain the rationale behind that part of the process. This meeting is intended to allow us to tease this matter out and to take on board the views of the members of this committee. I will hand over to Mr. Greally.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Senator Boyhan for that comprehensive overview of his assessment of the situation. I will first address one point he made with regard to Government having a majority and driving things through and that being very frustrating. This is an issue on which I am consulting with the committee and on which I am listening. It is a unique issue and one-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The core point I am making is that this process in which we are engaged is important. The feedback and assessment from the committee and the continuing engagement with the three farmers concerned will be important because what we have at the moment is the draft Bill. We are at the pre-legislative scrutiny phase. We have not yet introduced it or finalised it. I will ask Mr. Greally to come...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Yes, that is correct. The timeline envisaged is that this would be the last breeding season. The pelting season is during the latter two or three months of the year and it would continue as normal this year, but then we would be dealing with the breeding females. Mr. Greally said there were 15,000 of them. That is the intention.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I will certainly reflect further on the point the Deputy made about redundancy for the workers and take on board the feedback from this pre-legislative scrutiny. A ban on the import of furs is not something I had considered, but I will dig into the matter further and assess the options. My instinctive response is that there could be many relevant considerations and side issues in that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Senator Lombard and I note his points and contribution in relation to redundancy payments. I will ask Mr. Greally or Mr. Kinsella to come back on some of those points.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Browne for the questions. These questions have been covered in response to earlier contributions. Certainly, I take Deputy Browne’s point. We will be reflecting on the approach to redundancy. We will also do further assessments and look for further evidence and information that can inform us when we finalise the approach to cost. We will note and take forward the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: It is open to Members to propose amendments and to explain the rationale behind them. It is then for me to consider whether to accept them. I suggest that, in the first instance, the Senator put her proposal in writing. I can then reflect on the points she is making and take it from there.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: General Scheme of Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: We will take it step by step.