Results 5,301-5,320 of 5,615 for speaker:Andrew Doyle

Community Employment Pension Scheme: Motion [Private Members] (24 Apr 2018)

Andrew Doyle: Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked me to clarify.

Seanad: Forestry Sector: Statements (25 Apr 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and Members of the Seanad for this opportunity to discuss forestry and to acknowledge the important contribution that forestry makes to our economy, our environment and our society. While we can see the obvious benefits of forestry such as loads of timber, logs and planks being transported on our roads, the cars of workers outside timber processing plants,...

Seanad: Forestry Sector: Statements (25 Apr 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I thank all Senators for their contributions. In response to Senator Boyhan's comments, most of the people I come across in the Department, within the industry and in the wider forestry sector have a passion about it. I must declare an interest at this point; my son is in his final year of forestry at University College Dublin. Last week they were in the Black Forest looking at the whole...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Organic Farming Scheme (26 Apr 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I recently announced the establishment of a new organic sector strategy group tasked with developing a strategy for the development of the organic sector for the period up to 2025. The group has already met twice and I expect will report back later this year with a detailed report and recommendations to drive the growth of the sector. The terms of reference of the group are: to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Organic Farming Scheme (26 Apr 2018)

Andrew Doyle: Ten years ago, the land cover was 1%. We have doubled it. The target at that time was 5%, set by the Deputy's former colleague and my predecessor, then Minister of State, Mr. Trevor Sargent. The scheme, when it was reopened, took in everybody who applied. It was the highest intake ever. It was unprecedented. Everybody who was in the scheme had their plan rolled right to 2020. That is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Organic Farming Scheme (26 Apr 2018)

Andrew Doyle: For a start, I do not know that any trade mission has ever cost €10 million. The terms of reference are to get the stakeholders and the experts to set out their vision for it as well. There are areas the Deputy has identified. We could open up a scheme without having it clearly defined. There are impediments in the current structure that are restricting expansion in the sector....

Other Questions: Greyhound Industry (26 Apr 2018)

Andrew Doyle: The welfare of greyhounds is regulated by the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 and the Animal Health and Welfare Act of 2013. The latter applies to all animals, whether kept for commercial, domestic, sport, show or other purposes, and contains robust measures against their ill-treatment. It provides that a person having an animal in his or her possession or control must safeguard and not...

Other Questions: Greyhound Industry (26 Apr 2018)

Andrew Doyle: The Deputy is still talking.

Other Questions: Greyhound Industry (26 Apr 2018)

Andrew Doyle: My focus is on the greyhound industry Bill that I am introducing to ensure that the principles of good governance and regulation are clearly and unambiguously laid down in primary legislation. In broad terms, the Bill seeks to address deficiencies in the existing legislation and the governance of Bord na gCon. It will strengthen regulatory controls in the industry, modernise sanctions and...

Other Questions: Greyhound Industry (26 Apr 2018)

Andrew Doyle: The Bill has undergone pre-legislative scrutiny by the committee and I am anxious to introduce it on the floor, where all these matters can be considered. We could have a white list. Ultimately, however, it is not within the competence of this State's legislation to control dogs travelling onwards subsequent to being exported to EU countries.

Other Questions: Greyhound Industry (26 Apr 2018)

Andrew Doyle: We do.

Other Questions: Greyhound Industry (26 Apr 2018)

Andrew Doyle: Governance, integrity and animal welfare are all part and parcel of the draft legislation. I will make the point repeatedly to the stakeholders that they will have to measure up in that regard. Hopefully when the legislation comes before the House we will be able discuss these matters more comprehensively. The pre-legislative scrutiny process worked very effectively, as far as I can tell-----

Other Questions: Greyhound Industry (26 Apr 2018)

Andrew Doyle: If I had my way, it would be published tomorrow but I am hoping it will be published soon.

Tillage Sector: Motion (26 Apr 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I very much welcome this report and commend the committee members on their effort and contribution. This is a very timely debate on a very important sector and we should carefully consider this report. The overall thrust of the report is very much aligned with the tillage actions outlined in Food Wise 2025, the industry blueprint for the development of the whole agrifood sector. The tillage...

All Terrain Vehicle Safety Bill 2018: First Stage (2 May 2018)

Andrew Doyle: No.

Order of Business (15 May 2018)

Andrew Doyle: The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is in China leading a trade delegation to try to get more business and to open more markets. Under the programme for Government, an increased total of €25 million was committed to under the areas of natural constraint scheme and a further €25 million was provided for the sheep welfare scheme. The €25 million under the...

Order of Business (15 May 2018)

Andrew Doyle: In the first instance, as in the last horsemeat scandal and the pork meat scandal, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland is the competent authority that deals with it. Some of the allegations or contentions made by the Deputy are of a criminal nature. If the Deputy has evidence pertaining to that issue, he should bring it to the relevant authorities.

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (16 May 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. On behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for disabilities, Deputy Finian McGrath, who cannot be here, and also the Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for mental health and older people, Deputy Jim Daly, who is currently in the Seanad,...

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (16 May 2018)

Andrew Doyle: While it is not an area for which the Department in which I am Minister of State is responsible, I have something of an in-depth knowledge of the matter because I have a cousin in another branch who is looked after very well. As I stated, the HSE has committed to continue to fund Down Syndrome Ireland's Louth-Meath branch for 2018 based on the previous year's allocation pending the...

Topical Issue Debate: Occupational Therapy Staff (16 May 2018)

Andrew Doyle: I thank Deputy MacSharry for raising the matter and for articulating the issue in the context of a real life that has been affected. I am here on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities that will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the...