Results 1-20 of 3,729 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Common Agricultural Policy and Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan: Statements (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I am grateful to the Whip's office for making time in the Dáil schedule to discuss what is a really important topic, namely Ireland's national plan under the CAP. The CAP is one of the EU's longest-standing policies, firmly embedded in the Treaty of the European Union. The agrifood sector remains one of our most important indigenous industries, employing 169,000 people and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is the flagship environmental scheme provided under the 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plan, with €1.5 billion in Exchequer and EU funding allocated over the course of the scheme. Following the payment run of the 9th of May 2025, a total of just under €455.8 million has been paid to participants in respect of their participation in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: On 8th May, the UK Government and US Administration set out the general terms for a US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal. This does not constitute a legally binding agreement, rather it sets out the general terms for further negotiations which is intended to formalise the proposals outlined in last week’s announcement. As part of these general terms, the UK have agreed to remove a 20%...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 284 together. All investments under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) must meet the specifications set out in the terms and conditions of the Scheme. All generators are considered a fixed investment as they must be wired into the electrical system on the holding. Specification 106, which is published on my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tax Rebates (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Minister for Finance is responsible for tax policy and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners is responsible for the operation of the tax system and is independent in carrying out that function. They advise that the VAT treatment of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In accordance with the EU VAT Directive, farmers can elect whether to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Bodies (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department established An Rialálaí Agraibhia (the Agri-Food Regulator) on the 13 December 2023 under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023. An Rialálaí Agraibhia promotes fairness and transparency in the agri-food supply chain. The agency’s statutory remit and focus is on business to business relationships within the supply chain ensuring the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 to 289, inclusive, together. GAEC 2 is a mandatory condition of the payment of the Basic Income Support for Farmers (BISS). It is intended to protect peatlands and wetlands. The EU Regulation governing the CAP Strategic Plans requires all Member States to have a standard in place this year at the latest. The proposal submitted by my Department was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The person named submitted an application under the ACRES Co-operation stream and was approved into Tranche 1 of the scheme, with a commencement date of 1st January 2023. I can confirm that all ACRES payments in respect of 2023 have been finalised for this participant. My Department has received a request to transfer this ACRES contract to a partnership. A dedicated team is working on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I note that a response issued from my Department on 23 February 2024 to the course provider in respect of his request for review initially submitted on 9 January 2024. A fresh review of the application of the penalties in respect to the ACRES training courses in question will be undertaken, and will include the further information provided, and the Department will contact the course...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 293 together. Following the latest payment run on 12 May 2025, 43,575 ACRES participants, or just over 97%, are fully paid in respect of the 2023 scheme year. This means that 1,241 participants have not yet had their 2023 contract finalised, of which 947 have already received an interim payment of either €4,000 or €5,000. It should be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: GAEC 2 is a mandatory condition of the payment of the Basic Income Support for Farmers (BISS). It is intended to protect peatlands and wetlands. The EU Regulation governing the CAP Strategic Plans requires all Member States to have a standard in place this year at the latest. The proposal was submitted by my Department and approved by the European Commission on 30th April 2025 and is now...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Foreshore Issues (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I can assure the Deputy that my response to his previous question was accurate. However, I can provide more detailed information in this response to further assist the Deputy. Kerry County Council is primarily responsible for the development and maintenance of Renard Pier. The relevant parent department for Kerry County Council is the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. ...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Schemes (14 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising these points. On providing more time, the deadline for BISS applications is clearly 15 May. If I were to push that deadline back or try to extend it in any way, it would have a knock-on impact on the whole system of getting payments in place. We had delays in payments previously and are back on track in terms of making sure we can get the areas of natural...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Schemes (14 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: No, the patch where they are cutting turf would never qualify for BISS anyway. The farmers will not be applying-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Schemes (14 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: That is no problem.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Schemes (14 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to provide an update on an important issue. The Deputy is right; there is a lot of concern among farmers around GAEC 2. I am happy to have the opportunity to reassure people that the concerns that are there are misplaced for a variety of reasons. I can give the background to GAEC 2. It is a mandatory condition for the payment of BISS. That is a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Industry (14 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I thank Senator Cosgrove for raising a really important issue and giving me the opportunity to put on the record of the House a reassurance to farmers in her area and all over the country who are concerned about GAEC 2. The Senator has outlined those concerns, and I know from my colleagues here in Donegal and Kerry as well that those concerns are shared by farmers. Much of this is down to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Industry (14 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: Apologies. I did not answer two of the Senator's earlier questions. One was on appeals and the other was on splitting the parcel. Farmers can split the parcel if there is a natural boundary like a wall or hedge in an existing land parcel. They can just do that on the application. There will be an appeals mechanism. Most farmers will not need to appeal this. It will not change their...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Contracts (14 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: Procurement's for the acquisition of IT equipment undertaken by my Department are conducted within the Office of Government Procurement guidelines.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (14 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Germany in January and in Hungary and Slovakia more recently have highlighted the ongoing threat this disease poses to Irish livestock. Within my Department, preparations are ongoing to heighten our preparedness for all eventualities and to ensure a prompt and effective response to any suspect FMD case. My Department also carries out...