Results 1,081-1,100 of 3,701 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Aquaculture Industry (6 Jul 2022)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I know it is of great importance to those in coastal regions. As he will be aware, the Department considers applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, to which he referred, the Foreshore Act 1933 and applicable national and EU legislation. There are a number of statutory...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Aquaculture Industry (6 Jul 2022)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Senator for highlighting those specific points. He makes a valid point. Notwithstanding all the timelines I outlined, he pointed to an understandable concern among local communities. If a process is taking as long to come through as the one in Kinsale to which he referred, the community would be justified in feeling frustrated. As he stated, it is important to keep the focus...

Emissions in the Transport Sector Report: Motion (16 Jun 2022)

Martin Heydon: Deputy McNamara proves that with the best of good intentions, it is difficult for us to control our emissions and to keep them in check as much as we would like. I respectfully disagree with his point about the report being finito as soon as it has been compiled. In my opening address, I clearly outlined the progress made since the report's publication and how it is very much a living...

Emissions in the Transport Sector Report: Motion (16 Jun 2022)

Martin Heydon: The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications sends his apologies as he is unable to be with us today. On his behalf, I wish to thank and express an appreciation to Deputy Leddin, members of the committee and the various stakeholders who met with the committee, for their work and leadership in developing this comprehensive report. This report is an important distillation of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Flood Risk Management (16 Jun 2022)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputies for raising those specific points, which I will bring to the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, and our colleagues in government. Be it a multi-agency task force or a co-ordinated national strategy, I will take the Deputies' suggestions on board. This Topical Issue matter was directed to the OPW and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan's office. As I outlined,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Flood Risk Management (16 Jun 2022)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputies for raising a very important issue. I have had engagement with people who live in Lough Funshinagh and the surrounding areas. I know the stress and strain that is on all the families in that local community. I am taking this Topical Issue matter on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, OPW, Deputy O’Donovan. He...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (26 May 2022)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The recent publication of the European Commission's communication, Sustainable Carbon Cycles, has sent a clear signal to European member states on the need to increase the ambition and participation of our land managers in the area of carbon removals and reductions. Under the recently updated all-of-government Climate Action Plan 2021,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (26 May 2022)

Martin Heydon: The challenge is to have a baseline. We need to have a baseline so we can adequately market in the future the activities of farmers. Should we have been doing this earlier than recent years? Probably. If we had our baseline from five or ten years ago, we would be in a stronger position now, but that is why the investment we are undertaking now is so important. It is critical to have a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (26 May 2022)

Martin Heydon: I respectfully disagree with the suggestion the Government is sitting on its hands. We have talked about the national agricultural soil carbon observatory, which is obviously important, and the flux towers in different locations are a key component of that. These will be established through working with the Teagasc signpost programme. We also have the pilot soil sampling programme, which...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 May 2022)

Martin Heydon: Does everyone want to leave Cork?

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Animal Welfare (18 May 2022)

Martin Heydon: I thank Senator Boylan for raising the matter. At the upcoming European AGRIFISH Council meeting, the Cyprus delegation will share information with Ministers regarding the establishment of a new legislative framework for an EU positive list for the keeping of companion animals, as the Senator has outlined. Officials in the Department are awaiting the detailed wording of proposal of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Animal Welfare (18 May 2022)

Martin Heydon: The Department has a proud history in supporting the welfare of animals, whether through policy initiatives, the provision of advice and guidance, financial assistance to farmers to help them improve their facilities, and financial support to animal welfare charities. Last year we launched Ireland's first overarching animal welfare strategy, reflecting the Government's clear commitment to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Further and Higher Education (18 May 2022)

Martin Heydon: I thank Senator Byrne for raising what is an important issue. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris. We are very aware of the demand that exists for places in higher education. Demographic factors mean demand will only increase in the coming years and we must work to ensure there is a place in third level education for everyone who wants one. Our...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Further and Higher Education (18 May 2022)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Senator for his follow-up response. We are committed to supporting a balanced further and higher education system which has a multitude of pathways for learners to follow. The action plan for apprenticeships sets out new ways of structuring funding and promoting apprenticeship, with a target of 10,000 apprenticeship registrations per year by 2025. In 2021, a record 8,607 new...

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Security: Statements (12 May 2022)

Martin Heydon: We have a welcome opportunity today to discuss the issue of food security. Food production is important for our farmers, our fishers, our rural and coastal communities and wider society. It is important for me, my political party and the Government. You might need a doctor, lawyer, garda or priest once in your life, but three times a day every day, you need a farmer. We cannot take food...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Heritage Sites (7 Apr 2022)

Martin Heydon: On behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Deputy Simon Coveney, I thank the Senator for raising the matter of the Curragh consultancy study. The Minister has asked me to convey his regrets to the House that he could not be here and has specifically asked me to reassure the Senator that in both his current role and as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Heritage Sites (7 Apr 2022)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Senator for her comments and appreciate her interest in this matter. I am aware of her recent announcement that she intends to introduce a Private Members' Bill on the permitted use of the plains. While I do not wish to assume the outcome of the study I think that we can both agree that there is a need to place the management of the plains on a modern footing with which I am...

An Bille um an Naoú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Neodracht), 2022: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Neutrality) Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (30 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: I have the honour to make the closing intervention on behalf of the Government to this important debate. We have been reminded here today of the importance of the Constitution as the expression of our values. The preamble of Bunreacht na h-Éireann speaks of "due observance of Prudence, Justice and Charity" and of Ireland striving so that "concord" can be "established with other...

Seanad: Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (Number 2) Regulations 2022: Motion (30 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: I welcome the opportunity to present the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (Number 2) Regulations 2022 to Senators. I do so in place of the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, who unfortunately could not attend. The proposed regulations are aimed at amending the provisions in the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 concerning development that is exempt from...

Seanad: Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (Number 2) Regulations 2022: Motion (30 Mar 2022)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Senators for contributing to this debate. I will focus on the individual points that have been made. The points made by Senator Cummins are valid. We all share his frustration at the length of time some of these processes can take for the delivering of new health facilities and so on, but that is outside the scope of what we are doing with this Bill. While this a planning...