Results 13,561-13,580 of 23,991 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Designation of a food product as a PGI (Protected Geographical Indicator) enables consumers to trust and distinguish quality products while also helping producers to market their products better. The Bord Bia PGI application for "Irish Grass Fed Beef", drafted on behalf of producers, focuses on the reputation of high quality beef product produced through Ireland’s grass-based...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Usage (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the lead authority for the Nitrates Regulations (SI 605 2017).  The purpose of these Regulations is to give effect to Ireland’s Nitrates Action Programme for the protection of waters against pollution caused by agricultural sources. The set of measures in these regulations provides a basic level of protection against...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: A Protected Geographical Indication emphasises the relationship between the specific geographic region and the name of the product, where a particular quality, reputation or other characteristic is essentially attributable to its geographical origin. The PGI application for "Natural Irish Beef" referred to was submitted to my Department on 14 September 2020 by the group...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: In December 2018, following a public consultation process in which over 900 submissions were received, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine announced that vessels over 18m will be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines from 1 January 2020.  A transition period of three years for vessels over 18m targeting sprat was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The minimum mesh size requirements for fishing for sprat and other fish stocks are set out in Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conservation of fisheries resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures, also known as the Technical Measures Regulation.  Technical measures are rules on how, where and when fishers may...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 799 and 808 together. I should advise the Deputy that the monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities.Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Bodies (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Wool production is an important component of agri-industry and Ireland produces excellent quality wool.  In an industry such as the wool industry where prices tend to move in cycles, it is imperative that the players ensure and promote a diversity of options for the product in the market place. The current market uncertainties should provide an impetus...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: In order to be eligible for the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme, farmers must apply for the scheme by completing the relevant section of the Basic Payment Scheme application form.  Farmers may choose not to apply for the ANC scheme in any given year for a number of reasons such as changes to their farming practice, loss of eligible ANC land through the ending of lease...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Officials from my Department's Human Resources Division are currently collating the material for this PQ response.  To ensure the accuracy of the information, it is necessary to liaise with a number of DAFM Divisions. My Department commits to submit the information directly to the Deputy within five working days.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Ownership (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I wish to advise the Deputy that the system that is in place for dealing with queries relating to the activities of the former Irish Land Commission has obviously been impacted to some extent by the public health restrictions arising from the Covid19 pandemic, given that many staff are working remotely. However, I am confident that every effort is being made to ensure...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The current agri-environment scheme GLAS (Green, Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme) includes two actions which specifically support permanent pasture which is managed to promote a more diverse sward. The Low Input Permanent Pasture Action has been taken up by over 36,000 herds and covers over 250,000 hectares. This objective of this action is to promote a more diverse sward through...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department is very supportive of local agricultural shows and provides in excess of €80,000 annually to the Irish Shows Association for disbursement to local organisations. This funding is designed to assist with the insurance costs associated with running such events. However, other than this financial assistance, the Department does not have a direct role in running these shows.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department is very supportive of these shows, providing in excess of €80,000 annually to assist with the insurance costs associated with running these events. The benefit that they provide in showcasing livestock and agricultural produce, along with the wider social benefits to local communities is appreciated. My Department does not run or manage the shows, but does intend to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Last year, the Beef Taskforce was established to provide the leadership to develop a sustainable pathway for the future of the beef sector in terms of economic, environmental and social sustainability. The Taskforce provides a robust implementation structure for commitments entered into in the Beef Talks Agreement of 15th September 2019, with timelines and stakeholder engagement. The Beef...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Offices (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department occupies 71 buildings across the country. Of these, 34 buildings or 48%, which includes Head Quarter offices in five locations which cater for the majority of staff, have dedicated Rest Rooms which can be used by staff as required.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The person named recently received a letter advising him of a breach of limits under the Nitrates Regulations in respect of the 2019 year and detailing that a penalty that would be applied to his 2020 scheme payments. The letter also outlined the procedures for requesting a review of the decision and/or lodging an appeal to the Agricultural Appeals Office. No correspondence has been...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Industrial Development (15 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 297 together. Wool production is an important component of agri-industry and Ireland produces excellent quality wool. In an industry such as the wool industry where prices tend to move in cycles, it is imperative that the players ensure and promote a diversity of options for the product in the market place. The current market uncertainties should...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The Early Retirement Scheme from Farming has been closed for applications since 2009. In recent years, the priority of my Department has shifted to the encouragement of generational change for farmers by assisting the development of our young farmers. There is a range of supports in place including specific agri-taxation measures to incentivise this generational change. The agri-taxation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Employment Rights (15 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Immediately following the publication of claims of possible exploitation of undocumented migrant workers on Irish fishing trawlers in the Guardian newspaper in November 2015, an interdepartmental Task Force on Non-EEA Workers in the Irish Fishing Industry was established by the Government to examine the specific issues identified in the newspaper report and to make recommendations on...