Results 3,521-3,540 of 3,729 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Legislative Measures (9 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021 which is a Private Members Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the Dáil last November. When the Bill was proceeding through the Seanad my Department raised some concerns in relation to imposing a statutory ban on the importation of non-native honey bees as it could constitute a restriction on trade under EU Regulations. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (10 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The table below shows the total costs associated with the Ministerial Trade Mission to Nigeria and Senegal in September 2023. The costs shown below are in respect of travel by the previous Minister and six officials from my Department. Flights €30,801.19 Hotels €5,461.21 Transport €2,605.95 ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (10 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: Coillte was set up as a commercial State body under the Forestry Act, 1988, and is therefore independent from my Department in relation to operational matters, as specified in the Act. As one of the shareholders of Coillte, I have responsibility for the oversight of the Company in accordance with the Act and I also have expectations in relation to Coillte’s engagement in climate...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (10 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department recognises that the recent storms Darragh and Éowyn, have caused varying degrees of damage around the country, including significant damage to trees and that this presents challenges to all stakeholders in forestry. My Department officials are in regular contact with the ESB, particularly in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn. On 5th February 2025, a decision was made by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Artificial Intelligence (10 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department is in the process of drafting a Data Strategy to underpin efficient data collection and data storage as a basis for all uses of data within my Department. The data strategy will be applicable to all data created, captured, stored, and utilised by my Department. All current and future use cases of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are subject to review, data protection and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Projects (10 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department currently has no projects underway with CeADAR, Irelands National Centre for AI.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Artificial Intelligence (10 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The information sought by the Deputy is an operational matter for the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the State Bodies and have requested that a response issue within 10 days.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Artificial Intelligence (10 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department is considering the future use cases of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the following areas as proof of concept projects. Application development and Service Delivery.Agri-food supply chain security.Customer Service and Corporate administration. All current and future use cases are subject to review, data protection and governance measures and are solely under the governance of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Artificial Intelligence (10 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department has an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy in place which has been communicated to all staff through an AI awareness campaign. Training on the use of AI is in development and will be provided to staff in due course. In the interim, there is a dedicated Data Management and Analytics Division acting as a centre of excellence and support for Data and AI.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Correspondence (10 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 333 together. The work of my Department covers a wide range of issues, from policy development and implementation, to regulation in areas such as food safety, animal and plant health and animal welfare, forestry, fisheries management and the environment. My Department also manages payments to support farming, fisheries and forestry. The Minister's...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Surveys (10 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The information requested by the Deputy is being collated by my Department and a response will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The table below provides details on the numbers of technical grades that retired/transferred out from the Agricultural Environmental Schemes Division in 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 as requested by the Deputy. Technical Grades Retired/Transferred out Agricultural Environmental Schemes Division Grade 2022 ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department is committed to ensuring that a skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet its priority business needs. Workforce planning processes are utilised to identify our requirements across all technical grade streams and locations, and to ensure a long-term, proactive and strategic plan through which current and future staffing needs are addressed. Overall staffing levels...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Policies (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: I am aware of the incident and my Department is liaising with National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) in relation to this matter. It would not be appropriate to comment further on the individual case. My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline and email through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect. The Helpline number and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Data (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The information requested by the Deputy is set out below.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Funding (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The contract for delivering Equine National Breeding Services (NBS) on behalf of my Department was awarded to Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) following a competitive public procurement competition. The programme of measures delivered by HSI under the NBS includes a 'Breeding Grant' scheme. The delivery of measures funded under the 'Breeding Grant' scheme is a matter for the HSI. I understand...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: A zebra is an animal of the equine species and is therefore required to comply with all of the EU equine identification and health certification requirements applicable to other equines such as horses and donkeys. There are several species and sub species of zebra. Depending on the species of wild animal involved, The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wind Fauna and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously and responds to any reports of alleged animal cruelty or legislative non-compliance. Neglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society. I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner. The welfare of equines is protected by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department takes the matter of equine welfare most seriously. The welfare of equines is protected by legislation and there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to prioritise equine welfare and to build on existing inspectorate supports across the country, ensuring a consistent approach to dealing with horse welfare. My Department and authorised officers appointed under the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously and responds to any reports of alleged animal cruelty or legislative non-compliance. Neglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society. I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner. The welfare of equines is protected...