Results 4,901-4,920 of 5,615 for speaker:Andrew Doyle

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Report on EU Developments: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: I thank Mr. O'Driscoll, Ms Cannon and Mr. Savage for attending today's meeting. It seems that much of the stuff that was dealt with up to the end of the Latvian Presidency is still relevant. It is interesting to see how much or how little has happened in some areas. I think progress was made in the organics area under the Italian Presidency. I thank the witnesses. Their colleagues are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data and Genomics Programme: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: In the final part of the meeting, we will receive the update we requested on the beef data and genomics programme. I welcome the witnesses from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Mr. Brendan Gleeson, who is an assistant secretary general; Mr. Colm Hayes, who is a principal officer; Mr. Frank Macken, who is an agricultural inspector; Mr. Peter Johnston, who is a higher...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data and Genomics Programme: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: This is progress in the context of what we discussed previously with Mr. O'Driscoll and in respect of the fact that climate change is included. All this comes into the one focus and area. If a mistake was made, as I think we said the last time we spoke to Mr. Gleeson, it was that communications were behind rather than in front. That did happen but it has been addressed and I think those...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data and Genomics Programme: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: I do not think they were looking for it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data and Genomics Programme: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: If the beef data genomics programme was proposed after the current climate change summit in Paris, especially when people's minds are focused on the issue, it would be much easier to introduce it. In the public mind, the bovine sector is seen as the largest contributor in agriculture to greenhouse gas emissions. Given that beef production accounts for half or more of that output, this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data and Genomics Programme: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: In the long run, it found the right niche, although it might have taken a while. This programme will probably be the surprise package because it can do so much for efficiency. If the 400-day calving interval could be brought down to 380 days, it would make a large difference to profitability, carbon emissions, feed costs and so forth. Recently, I spoke to a man who had no e-mail or online...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: I will allow the Minister to respond. I ask members to switch off their mobile phones. The item on the agenda today is the Supplementary Estimate, Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The meeting has been convened to consider the Supplementary Estimate, which was referred to the committee on 19 November with an instruction to report back to the Dáil not later than 9 December...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: The Minister acknowledged that the figures were ready on Tuesday, so five working days would have been from Wednesday until today. Perhaps it would have been better to have circulated them to members by Wednesday. The general point has been made. Members feel a bit uneasy about getting short notice. Deputy Ó Cuív refers to some completed documents, which were only furnished to...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: We have a briefing document. Will the Minister synopsise his opening statement and then we can go through the subheads? Is that agreeable to members?

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: I am in the members' hands.

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: That is fine, if members are agreeable.

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: Can we continue please?

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: Sorry Deputy can you please allow the Minister to make his opening statement?

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: Minister and members, we will not engage in this. We will try to get on with the business. This is an important issue of €104 million. Let us get on with it please.

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: I thank the Minister. I will call spokespersons and other members who may make a general comment at the beginning. Thereafter I ask them to refer to the subhead about which they wish to make a point. I ask them to confine themselves to five minutes in the first round and I will indicate when the five minutes are up. If they only get to two or three subheads initially, I will come back to...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: Please, Minister.

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: No-----

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: I ask both gentlemen to speak through the Chair. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív to continue without interruption.

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: I am. It comes to a minute and a half.

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2015)

Andrew Doyle: There are two quick points I would like to make following on from points that were made by others. One is on beef data. If, as may be the case, it pans out that there is an ongoing underspend and the provision of €52 million turns out not to be met, would the Minister consider providing a similar scheme to improve quality based on the same principles in the sheep sector?...