Results 4,101-4,120 of 4,430 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Data (12 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: A high-level stakeholder group was established in March 2024 to consider the policy and legislative matters related to the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. The Dog Control Stakeholder Group is independently chaired by retired Deputy Garda Commissioner Mr John Twomey and is comprised of members with a broad range of expertise including animal welfare charities,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Inquiries (12 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department considers applications for aquaculture and foreshore licences in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 as amended, the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended) and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Contracts (12 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: It is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the required time. The information is currently being compiled and we will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Reviews (12 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 454, 455 and 456 together. I note that this issue relates to the assessment and scoring of commonage in Alohert for the making of results-based payments under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES). I have been advised that the ACRES Co-operation Project (CP) Team in the ACRES Co-operation zone in question, namely the ACRES Kerry/West Cork CP...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (12 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature concerning sea fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. As...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (12 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: In March 2024, the then Minister for Rural and Community Development established the Dog Control stakeholder group to review the Control of Dogs Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. The stakeholder group's remit includes considering the need for legislative change. This requires in-depth analysis and consultation to ensure amendments are not just robust, fit for purpose and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Breeding (12 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Programme for Government provides a commitment to ensure that all legislation and policy in relation to the control of dogs, dog welfare and dog breeding establishments, will transfer to my Department. From 1 June 2025, under S.I. No. 238/2025 – Dog Control (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2025, all policy and legislative responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Strategies (12 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Department started the process of preparing a new Statement of Strategy 2025 -2028, following the appointment of the new Minsters on 22nd January 2025. My Department, has completed a full internal and external consultation process. Submissions were received from Government Departments, State Bodies under the aegis of my Department and various stakeholders. These submissions along with the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (12 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department does not differentiate between emails to the dedicated animal welfare email address and calls received through the animal welfare helpline. Both of these forms of communication generate official animal welfare complaints through our system. Animal welfare complaints generate case reports which are referred for investigation by authorised officers and appropriate action is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (17 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) replaced the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in 2023. The BISS is designed to provide a direct income support to Irish farmers to underpin their continued sustainability and viability. To claim payment under BISS, or its predecessor BPS, a farmer or their appointed agent must have submitted an area-based application via the online system. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (17 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Programme for Government places a positive emphasis on animal welfare and specifically commits to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare. My Department has lead policy responsibility within government for animal welfare and takes the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sustainable Development Goals (17 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: I am committed to supporting the long-term viability of the Irish agricultural sector, including our farm families who are the bedrock of the sector, our agri-food industry and indeed the rural economy. At the same time, Ireland’s national and EU ambitions on climate, land use and biodiversity are challenging and will require the application of the best scientific and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Safety (17 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: Farm safety, health and wellbeing is a priority for this Government. Through dedicated funding of €2.5 million, my Department is continuing to implement existing and new initiatives to improve farm safety, health and wellbeing. Over the past ten years, 17 children have died on Irish farms, accounting for almost a tenth of all fatalities on farms. Children and young people are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Funding (17 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. It also has responsibility for Cape Clear, Cleggan and some Piers, Lights and Beacons. In March, Minister Dooley and I announced a capital investment package of €27.75 million for the 2025...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Funding (17 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: The responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority in the first instance. The primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. However, my Department has provided funding to assist coastal local authorities in carrying out projects for the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Websites (17 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department’s website is hosted on gov.ie, the official website of the Government of Ireland, which serves as a central hub for accessing public services and government information, and is managed by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO).

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Veterinary Services (17 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: The organisation named is an independent representative body and my Department does not hold any information on its membership.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Veterinary Services (17 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 659 and 658 together. The National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS) commenced on the 13th January 2025.  To date, 92,959 prescriptions have been generated on the NVPS.  The number of prescriptions dispensed from merchants is 89.  The number of prescriptions dispensed from veterinary practices is 90,176.  The discrepancy...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Contracts (17 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department did not award a contract for Public Relations and Communications Consultancy in 2024. As regards the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Judicial Reviews (17 Jun 2025)

Martin Heydon: The number of Judicial Reviews taken against my Department in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2025, is provided in the attached table. These figures reflect the Department’s current file records as of 16 June 2025 and contain the most up to date information available to the Department.