Results 2,481-2,500 of 3,729 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Equine Industry (26 Jan 2021)

Martin Heydon: Nobody knows better than me how important Punchestown is to the rural economy and to the economy of Kildare. I worked at Punchestown Racecourse for four years and was actually a course builder for a number of summers on the three-day equestrian course, which is a fantastic facility in Punchestown. I would love to see HSI set up in Punchestown. Punchestown has been mentioned, as has Goffs,...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Martin Heydon: As we are all too aware, 2020 was an especially challenging year. While we had the expected uncertainty of Brexit, it was overshadowed by the unexpected Covid-19 pandemic. The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, has referred to the sector demonstrating its resilience, which has been remarkable. The pandemic placed unprecedented stresses on food supply chains, with bottlenecks in farm labour,...

Common Agricultural Policy Reform: Motion [Private Members] (22 Apr 2021)

Martin Heydon: I am sharing time with Deputy Ó Cuív. I must express my surprise at some of the comments, particular those from Deputy Pringle. I consider myself a proud European and I believe that Ireland benefits from being at the heart of Europe. I also believe passionately in the principle of subsidiarity, enshrined in the Maastricht treaty, with member states having power over as many...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Passport Services (22 Apr 2021)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputies Richmond and Carroll MacNeill for raising what is an important issue which is being raised with Deputies in constituency offices the length and breadth of the country. It has happened for several reasons, as the Deputies outlined. I am pleased to report that the Passport Service continues to provide a high quality, essential service in line with the Government's public...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Passport Services (22 Apr 2021)

Martin Heydon: Both Deputies Richmond and Carroll MacNeill have outlined very well the reasons we need to get back to full service. Nobody wants to do that more than the staff of the passport service in a safe way as soon as public health guidelines allow. It is helpful to put on the record that the volume of applications received in the past year has been significantly impacted by the pandemic. As a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Common Agricultural Policy (17 May 2021)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I congratulate her on her recent re-election to Seanad Éireann. It is great to see her back on the agricultural panel. It is also great that one of the first topics she has raised on her return relates to such an important area of agriculture. I thank the Senator for that. The Senator is right that it is not just about farm...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Common Agricultural Policy (17 May 2021)

Martin Heydon: The Senator is dead right. I am delighted to hear her equate farm safety, well-being and mental health because there is no doubt they are deeply interconnected. The agrifood strategy for 2030, which is currently out for public consultation, reflects that. We talk about a food systems approach to agriculture in the future and the sustainability of all the systems, that is, not just...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fishing Industry (25 May 2021)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, which we in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine take with the utmost seriousness. I extend the apologies of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, who is in Brussels this evening and very much regrets that he is not able to take this debate. We recognise that this issue is giving rise to serious practical problems...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Fishing Industry (25 May 2021)

Martin Heydon: To answer the Deputy's question about why the Minister is in Brussels this evening, he is out there fighting for Irish farmers and Irish agriculture in probably the most important aspect of the CAP trilogues, the super trilogues, that are happening over the next couple of days. Farmers in Deputy MacSharry's constituency and mine take a great interest in what he is doing there. There is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Invasive Species Policy (26 May 2021)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Verona Murphy for raising what is a really important issue and one about which I share her concern, namely, the discovery and recent reporting of black grass in wild seed mixes. The standards for quality and purity of seed and propagating material are implemented at EU level through a suite of EU directives and regulations. In total, this legislation is implemented through...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Invasive Species Policy (26 May 2021)

Martin Heydon: The Deputy can take it from me that we are taking this matter very seriously. She mentioned extending inspection of imported seeds. That option is not open to us under EU regulations. We can control what is propagated here. The seed that was discovered in the Teagasc plant was imported from the UK. We envisage that the vast majority of wild seed used in Ireland in future will be...

Independent Beef Regulator: Motion [Private Members] (26 May 2021)

Martin Heydon: I am an active suckler farmer. My mother took over the enterprise at home after my father passed away until I was old enough to take it on. I know what it is like to derive one's sole income from farming, along with the pressure and work that goes with that. I assure Deputy Tóibín and others that the Government is determined that we have a strong and vibrant beef sector for the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Funding (1 Jun 2021)

Martin Heydon: I congratulate the Leas-Chathaoirleach too. It is good to see him in the Chair. I first must apologise that the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, was unable to make it to the House today. I am happy to take this Commencement matter on the Minister's behalf. Horse Racing Ireland, HRI, is a commercial State body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, and is responsible for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Departmental Funding (1 Jun 2021)

Martin Heydon: Senator Murphy is right that pony racing gets to the heart of the rural pursuits that are so intrinsic to so much of our history. It is so important. That is why the engagement that is happening between the HRI and the IHRB about strengthening those connections matters because, for a long time, pony racing has stood on its own and managed without support but also without that close contact....

Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Jun 2021)

Martin Heydon: I am delighted to have the opportunity to respond on this important Bill. I thank Deputies for their consideration of the Maritime Jurisdiction Bill and for their contributions to this Second Stage debate. As the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, indicated in his opening statement, this Bill will update and clarify the law relating to the maritime jurisdiction of the State in a single,...

Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Jun 2021)

Martin Heydon: Committees have the right to waive pre-legislative scrutiny because they will be doing it. It is in a committee's gift to do so. When I was on committees, members would decide whether pre-legislative scrutiny was warranted. That is the role of Oireachtas committees and they have the right to make that decision. I would also like to put it on the record that officials from the Department...

Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2021: Referral to Select Committee (15 Jun 2021)

Martin Heydon: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(a) and 181(1).

Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)

Martin Heydon: As we discuss the proposed new CAP today, it is important to take a moment to acknowledge the vital role it has played and will continue to play in the future for Irish agriculture and for farm families. The CAP protects family farm incomes, supports the rural economy, ensures the production of high-quality safe food for consumers and protects rural landscapes and the environment. It is not...

Arrangements on the Order of Business: Motion (14 Jul 2021)

Martin Heydon: I move: That— (a) notwithstanding the Order of the Dáil of 16th December, 2020, the sequence in which Leaders shall be called upon to put questions between 15th September, 2021, and 7th October, 2021, pursuant to Standing Order 36(ca)shall be in accordance with the rota contained in the report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform dated 14th July, 2021,...

Planning and Development Act 2000 (Section 254 – Overground Telecommunication Cables) Regulations 2021: Referral to Joint Committee (14 Jul 2021)

Martin Heydon: I move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft, Planning and Development Act 2000 (Section 254 – Overground Telecommunication Cables) Regulations 2021, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 9th July, 2021, be referred to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in...