Results 3,761-3,780 of 10,862 for speaker:Matt Carthy

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: I thank Mr. Moroney and Mr. Hughes for joining us today. I acknowledge this discussion is long overdue. I accept that the role of farm and forestry contractors is under-recognised in regard to strategies and policies that are set in place for our agriculture and food sectors. The importance of contractors to our rural economy and the farming community, particularly to smaller farm...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: Okay. For clarification purposes, Mr. Moroney mentioned there are now 1,000 farm and forestry contractors, employing some 10,000 people. Am I correct in saying there are 11,000 people working directly for the farm contractor sector? Are there regions with a greater prevalence or where the size of contractors is greater?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: Obviously there are both large and small contractor operations. Is there any geographical distinction in terms of where one might find larger contractors that would cover more farms or more land than others?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: Quite a number of times in his opening remarks, Mr. Moroney referred to the LESS equipment and the failure of the Government to allow contractors to fit into the grant scheme for that equipment. I absolutely agree that LESS equipment and technology has been proven to be environmentally beneficial. It can have a positive impact on water quality in particular but also on emissions levels. It...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: Some 60% to 70% might be eligible for TAMS through being a farmer rather than a contractor. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: Just to clarify, I agree entirely with the principle that if this equipment is being used it should be grant-aided in the same way as other environmental measures are grant-aided, regardless of somebody's occupation as such. I am just trying to figure out how the Government could provide grant aid if TAMS is not an option in the future. There was one comment in Mr. Moroney's statement that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: Farmers who have got LESS equipment through TAMS are contacting members of the FCI to use that equipment on their behalf. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: Does Mr. Moroney have figures for how many of the FCI's 1,000 members have access to LESS equipment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: Mr. Moroney is saying that a significant number of FCI members have this equipment. Does he have a round percentage figure? Is he talking about half of the FCI's members or more?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: That is useful information.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: While the FCI has not raised this issue today, I am trying to get an update. Deputy Doherty and I have frequently asked about the effects of the carbon tax on farm contractors. When I have raised this with the Minister for Finance, he has advised that a review is taking place. Has the FCI had any direct liaison with the Department of Finance or the Department of Agriculture, Food and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: I agree with Mr. Moroney on that. I am trying to get a sense of whether he feels the Department is taking that call seriously.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: In previous correspondence, Mr. Moroney mentioned that the FCI hoped to be included in discussions of the nitrates expert group regarding the control of industrial sludges. Has it been included in any of those discussions to date?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: Who will make that call?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: The Chairman has put a clock on me.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: It is useful to have that viewpoint and I hope we will be seeing Mr. Moroney again soon. I thank the Chairman for his indulgence.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: 43. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposed timeframe to honour the Government commitment to recognise the state of Palestine. [3538/22]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (27 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: 74. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised the findings of the report of the Police Ombudsman in Northern Ireland into Operation Greenwich, which confirmed British state collusion in 19 loyalist killings and two attempted murders carried out by the UDA with the British Government; the nature of discussions; and the outcome of same. [3539/22]

Public Accounts Committee: National Transport Authority: Financial Statements 2020 (27 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: I welcome our guests and thank them for being here this morning. I wish to get a sense of this. What was the total figure for the PSO in 2021?

Public Accounts Committee: National Transport Authority: Financial Statements 2020 (27 Jan 2022)

Matt Carthy: I would also like to get the projected PSO for this year please.