Results 4,141-4,160 of 5,311 for speaker:Tom Hayes

Other Questions: EU Regulations (19 Jun 2013)

Tom Hayes: The new EU timber regulation is now in effect. It does not require any further national legislation to become law in this country. It is part of a package of measures aimed at ensuring all products containing wood placed on the market in the EU are from legally harvested timber. It applies to wood and wood products being placed for the first time on the EU market. It counters the trade in...

Other Questions: EU Regulations (19 Jun 2013)

Tom Hayes: The Deputy remarked that the Minister will make the decision but the Cabinet will make the decision shortly on the future of the harvesting rights of Coillte. Every consideration has been given in the past while to the decision the Cabinet is about to make.

Other Questions: EU Regulations (19 Jun 2013)

Tom Hayes: I am sure people will be happy. I came into the job in the past two weeks and I do not know what answers were given, I did not go through the file to see what answers were given to the Deputy's questions in the past week. New regulation is not needed. We must implement what is in place now. The officials have been tasked with that job and told to do it as a matter of urgency. They are to...

Other Questions: EU Regulations (19 Jun 2013)

Tom Hayes: I am giving the commitment. The officials have been asked to do that and everyone involved in the industry is genuinely committed to making the industry more effective. I have no doubt we will achieve that.

Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (19 Jun 2013)

Tom Hayes: The Minister, Deputy Coveney, has taken careful note of the submissions received from all the farming organisations and, indeed, from all stakeholders. They have been useful in highlighting the main concerns and preferred options of the farming and wider agri-food sector. Of course, there are variations between the positions taken by different stakeholders and it is the job of the Minister...

Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (19 Jun 2013)

Tom Hayes: As to an assurance that everybody has been consulted, never before has there been so much consultation. The rural organisations, such as the Irish Farmers Association, the ICMSA, Macra na Feirme, the Irish cattle and livestock producers, all have been consulted. This House has been consulted on the ongoing negotiations. On the fact that we held the Presidency and made such an impact, I...

Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (19 Jun 2013)

Tom Hayes: When discussing this and making a case for the retention or, as Deputy Ó Cuív has done, for a complete change in it, it is important to remember that there is a historic element to this. Over the past number of years, people have borrowed substantial sums. They have put in many buildings and done a great deal of farm programming and they must be treated the same as everybody else....

Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (19 Jun 2013)

Tom Hayes: I want to give an assurance that significant effort has been put into negotiation of this Common Agricultural Policy. There has also been considerable interest shown by many member states to make this deal happen but no member state has as much to benefit out of it as we have. Leaving aside uncertainty after next week, if we have not finalised this deal next week it may be politically...

Other Questions: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Eligibility (19 Jun 2013)

Tom Hayes: I take the opportunity, at the outset, to again emphasise both my own and the Government’s commitment to the agri-environment schemes as operated by my Department. These schemes put environmentally friendly farming at the forefront and recognise the vital role farmers play in delivering public goods and in protecting the environment and the natural heritage for the benefit of society...

Other Questions: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Eligibility (19 Jun 2013)

Tom Hayes: I accept this has been a very difficult year, with farmers encountering many difficulties, particularly in March, April and well into May. Problems arose because the weather did not improve and dealing with the consequences was difficult for many people, which I accept and understand. The Deputy referred to the funding of AEOS. My understanding is that when this Government came to power,...

Other Questions: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Eligibility (19 Jun 2013)

Tom Hayes: I would have to check that as I have just come to the Department. I remind the Deputy that the funding was not available for the AEOS. I do not know how the Deputy is able to perform addition when he is not in Government but could not do so when he was part of the Government. Where would the Deputy get the funding?

Other Questions: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Eligibility (19 Jun 2013)

Tom Hayes: I assure the Deputy that if money can be made available for schemes, it will be made available. We must verify that funding is available, and I will check it out for the Deputy.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Fodder Crisis (19 Jun 2013)

Tom Hayes: I thank Senators for the welcome and for their good wishes. I served in this House for four years from 1997 to 2001. They were great times in my political life. I am delighted to be back here in my current role. I thank Senator D'Arcy for raising this important issue. It is important that we discuss it and get to the facts of the situation. On 24 April the Minister for Agriculture, Food...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Fodder Crisis (19 Jun 2013)

Tom Hayes: The Senator is correct that we must seek to be self-sufficient and grow all our own fodder. That is the ideal situation. We will monitor the situation in regard to the nitrates directive and keep in touch with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in that regard. I urge farmers to engage with Teagasc, whose advisers are the people with expertise in these...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Decentralisation Programme Office Accommodation (27 Jun 2013)

Tom Hayes: I thank Senator Whelan for raising this issue and for his good wishes. I also thank the Cathaoirleach for his good wishes. I started off in this House many years ago and I am delighted to be back. I never dreamt I would be back answering queries as a Minister in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Some 470 Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine staff are housed...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Decentralisation Programme Office Accommodation (27 Jun 2013)

Tom Hayes: I thank Senator Whelan for raising this issue and for his good wishes. I also thank the Cathaoirleach for his good wishes. I started off in this House many years ago and I am delighted to be back. I never dreamt I would be back answering queries as a Minister in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Some 470 Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine staff are housed...

Seanad: Food Provenance Bill 2013: Second Stage (3 Jul 2013)

Tom Hayes: I am delighted to be present for this important discussion. I thank the Acting Chairman and Members for the welcome they have given me. I sat in the House for four years many years ago but I learned a great deal. We had some good discussions. The abolition of the House is discussed from time to time but my memories of it are positive. It helped me a great deal on the political ladder....

Seanad: Food Provenance Bill 2013: Second Stage (3 Jul 2013)

Tom Hayes: I assure the House that it is in our interests to push this issue through in the European Union. I guarantee that all of the issues raised will be brought immediately to the European Union by our officials. It is in our interests to provide for labelling on which so much depends. As I said, today I attended the Moorepark open day which thousands of farmers also attended. They have...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Farm Safety (11 Jul 2013)

Tom Hayes: I thank Senator Higgins for giving me the opportunity to come to the House to clarify the Department's position on the issue raised. I also thank her for her good wishes to me. We all agree that the tragic deaths of three members of the Spence family shocked the entire community and every effort must be made to avoid a repetition of such a dreadful accident. My Department has been in...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Farm Safety (11 Jul 2013)

Tom Hayes: If the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine would be so good as to take it on board and invite in the experts, I would certainly welcome it. It should be done. As I stated earlier, any way to save a life is welcome and agitating slurry is extremely dangerous. Signage should be looked at and warning systems should be put up around slatted sheds. I take on board the points...