Results 12,241-12,260 of 23,989 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: I have answered the question.
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: I said it will be meeting again-----
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: If Deputy McNamara was more interested in finding out information as opposed to grandstanding-----
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: -----he could find out that information very easily. There is a very clear process in place on how appointments to boards happen. A person applies to the Public Appointments Service and he or she is then interviewed on their competencies. After that process, a final list is recommended to the Minister of the relevant Department-----
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: It is a standard process for all Departments. The Minister of the relevant Department is given the recommendations as to who the best and most appropriate people are for those roles.
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: It is a very clear and transparent process, which is in place for all board appointments. As a Deputy, he should know that very well.
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: I have outlined very clearly the process for how all board appointments are made, which was Deputy McNamara's question.
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: Does Deputy McNamara wish me to repeat what I said about the process?
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: If Deputy McNamara had taken the time to assess how a board appointment is made, he would know that posts are advertised, people apply to the Public Appointments Service for consideration and an expert panel interviews each applicant to decide on his or her competency and merits. A small list then goes to the Minister of those who are regarded as being highly and eminently qualified for a...
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: I very clearly answered the question. I clearly outlined how the process works.
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: If all Deputy McNamara is interested in is grandstanding, there is no point in engaging further.
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. Deputy Durkan touched on several issues. One of the specific issues he raised was in respect of felling licences and the delays in that regard. It was also the last point raised by Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan. There has been a backlog in that area. We are working very hard to allocate additional resources to try to reduce that backlog and...
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: A significant number of queries have been raised. Deputy Ó Cuív mentioned the importance of funding coastal communities, the importance of the new agri-environmental scheme and of funding piers. I take his points on board. Deputy O'Sullivan mentioned the issue of horse welfare and the animal welfare strategy, as did Deputy Higgins. There is work to be done on this and I take on...
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: My thanks to Deputy Browne for the question on the vaccination plans for key workers in the dairy processing sector. Recently, I met representatives of the dairy sector and this issue was raised. As the Deputy knows, the vaccination roll-out has been given strong and deft consideration by the national immunisation advisory committee. Our roll-out and approach are based on the committee's...
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: Government Deputies and Senators in County Mayo and other counties have been in touch with me directly raising this issue and they are very much aware of it. Obviously, I am not in a position today to give any guarantees around that but I have clearly outlined, as I have to Government Deputies who have raised this with me directly, that I am engaged with Teagasc. I understand the position...
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: In the meat industry, as in every other part of the economy, the welfare and health of employees has to come first. The same rules apply to everyone in this regard. All employers must take every precaution they possibly can to keep employees safe. There is also an onus on the Government to work to ensure there is oversight and inspection in order to make sure those standards are being...
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: I will come back to the Deputy directly with a response on it.
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: On the beef task force, its work continues. One of the main outcomes is the agreement in regard to a PGI grass fed beef standard application to the European Commission. There is also an agreement, on which I have worked with the task force, to provide €6 million in funding for the first time to support the development of a suckler beef brand. There is more work ongoing, including on...
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: As regards Deputy Cahill's point, this is something on which he has made many representations to me and we have discussed it at length. I take on board the importance of the point-to-point sector in the overall horse racing industry and the financial implications of it being closed. As I pointed out previously, that was done against the backdrop of the public health advice and the...
- Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy raised the matter of meat factories and the Covid pandemic. As with every other sector of society and the economy, the safety of employees from danger and the risk of infection is absolutely paramount. That is essential in the meat and food processing sectors in particular, given that their employees are designated as essential workers and therefore have had to work throughout...