Results 2,481-2,500 of 10,862 for speaker:Matt Carthy

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: I understand that there are 17,000 jobs at risk and what I see in response to that from the Department is flippancy. That is why I am frustrated and angry. We have called this meeting to try to get solutions. Reading between the lines of the opening statements from the other two Departments, I sense that there is at least a recognition that something needs to be done. What I get from Mr....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: Mr. Nugent referred to salami-slicing. Does he see how that would appear a bit strange when in some instances we are talking about several kilometres of a distance between one site and another, yet they are being linked and the analysis that has been carried out says they are essentially the same site? Nobody who is in the area would consider them anywhere close to the same site.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: Okay. Chair, could I ask Mr. Lucas a question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: What can we do in the next month to provide a short-term solution, which is essentially where we need to see progress?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: Does Mr. Delany have any words of comfort in terms of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's interactions on these issues?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: I am not suggesting there are any easy solutions but can any of our three guests point to a resolution within the next number of weeks? As I said, this is a unique situation for me to be in. I have listened to several members and representative organisations tell us in very vocal terms for the past two years, and certainly for the past year, that an entire sector can and will be wiped out...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: Okay, so what is the timeframe for that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: Okay. I propose to the Chairman that we bring these guys' political masters in before us. I know members might not be too eager to hear of another meeting during the recess but if that is what it takes to actually get answers then that is what I propose we do.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: I will leave it at that for now, Chairman. I will come in at the end if there is time available.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: In case I am accused of misleading the committee, let me recategorise my review of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Its view is not that there is not a problem; rather, it is not its problem. I presume that would be a fair assessment of what it said. Mr. Nugent said this is essentially the fault of the sector not engaging with the process. He can correct me...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: The transposition date I have is 1999. Would that be correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: Okay. Did peat extraction during that period operate with a licence?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: Okay. Commercial peat extraction operated with a licence, but without an EIA.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: That was the case up until 2011. Am I correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: Okay. Until that point is it fair to say that commercial peat extractors were operating in line with the position of the Department and in line-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: Is Mr. Carberry saying that all of the other peat extraction that took place did so illegally?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: I do not want to dance on the head of a pin. What does that mean?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: Who was responsible for monitoring and enforcing the EIA directive in that instance?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: The EPA.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Matt Carthy: The EPA was not doing its job, obviously.