Results 6,841-6,860 of 7,024 for speaker:Willie Penrose

State Ex Gratia Scheme: Statements (10 Jul 2019)

Willie Penrose: Like all Members, I welcome the apology given by the Taoiseach yesterday on the floor of the House and reiterated today by the Minister, Deputy McHugh. In this the centenary year of the First Dáil, we should remember the words of the Democratic Programme written by Tom Johnson more than 100 years ago. It states:It shall be the first duty of the Government of the Republic to make...

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Motion [Private Members] (10 Jul 2019)

Willie Penrose: As I have stated a number of times over the past two weeks, on behalf of the Labour Party, this deal as constituted is a bad deal for Irish farmers and for the economy, especially the rural economy and the environment. I know the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine will not support its ratification in its current guise. Nine out of every ten cows produced on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Costs (10 Jul 2019)

Willie Penrose: 227. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if steps have been initiated to review or reuse the costs provisions applicable to the District Court as per SI No. 17 of 2014 and in particular the obligation to review the same levy every three years as set out in the regulation; if in this context provision will be made prospectively for the payment of drafting fees,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (11 Jul 2019)

Willie Penrose: 4. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has been briefed on the recommendations within the cross-party report on climate change specifically relating to a just transition and the need for local economic diversification plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30433/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (11 Jul 2019)

Willie Penrose: The Minister is aware of the recommendations of the excellent cross-party report on climate change and the significant recommendations arising therefrom, including the necessity and urgency of reducing the carbon footprint of many industries located in rural Ireland. We know the consequences of this transition will affect rural Ireland. We are long past the point of questioning the need to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (11 Jul 2019)

Willie Penrose: The Minister of State is aware that communities in rural Ireland will undoubtedly be affected most by changes in agriculture, the increasing carbon taxation and the closure of peat bogs, particularly in the midlands. There are many such bogs in Derrygreenagh, Boora, Derrahaun, Cullenagh and across the midlands. The recent announcement on the Moneypoint plant in west Clare was instructive...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (11 Jul 2019)

Willie Penrose: The similar Climate Change Delivery Board, CCDB, was established in Scotland in 2012 after cross-party consensus was reached on climate action. Scotland's rural ministry has played a central role on the board in achieving a buy-in from rural communities. We must have local buy-in, including in the case of the Moneypoint plant. For every direct job that is lost there, 1.5 indirect jobs in,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (11 Jul 2019)

Willie Penrose: It is.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (11 Jul 2019)

Willie Penrose: I thank the Minister of State.

Brexit Contingency Action Plan: Statements (11 Jul 2019)

Willie Penrose: We are standing on the bridge as the Brexit date looms into view. The challenges arising therefrom are significant to say the least and have been referred to expansively by my colleagues. We must continue working in an anticipatory fashion. However, we continue to work in a vacuum as we do not know what type of Brexit will emerge or the conditions that will be attached to it. The stark...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grant Eligibility (11 Jul 2019)

Willie Penrose: 941. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there is grant aid available to persons that wish to incorporate a granny flat to their dwelling to accommodate an elderly parent that wishes to reside there rather than be placed in a nursing home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30500/19]

Beef Sector: Statements (17 Sep 2019)

Willie Penrose: I thought I was in Rip van Winkle land for a while. I am the longest serving and oldest member of the Oireachtas agriculture committee - I went on it in 1993, a long time ago. I remember when I protested strongly against the cartel movement and certain individuals taking over particular industries and consolidating them. I was nearly trampled by farmers for opposing those things - I was...

Beef Sector: Statements (17 Sep 2019)

Willie Penrose: And 290,000 calves. That is the story. Then, we had people bellowing and roaring that they wanted us to provide subsidies so they could export calves, the very same crowd who were buying calves down the south for €2 or €4. They then wanted a subsidy and extra lairage. Imagine having the neck to come into a committee and ask for that. I know of many rural shops that are...

Beef Sector: Statements (17 Sep 2019)

Willie Penrose: There are currency fluctuations, falling demand and changing consumer preferences. They are all there, whether we like it or not. Veganism is becoming a big issue. As somebody who likes a bit of beef and eats it anytime I get it, I was surprised when a 62 year old man told me the other day he does not touch beef anymore. I said to myself-----

Beef Sector: Statements (17 Sep 2019)

Willie Penrose: This man is not a Taoiseach or anybody like that; he is a professional man. He says he does not touch it. That is part of the issue. We have to recognise that. We cannot be blind to what is happening. That is what is going on. Sometimes in here we try to set out what is happening out there and are told, "Oh, that does not happen at all." Some of us here try to invent reality, but I...

Beef Sector: Statements (17 Sep 2019)

Willie Penrose: That is absolutely wrong. I have another profession but I trained as an agricultural economist with Professor Sheehy, and the one thing he always told us as economists was to tell the truth, and I am telling the truth to people from experience and knowledge. We carried out those studies 40 years ago, so let us be clear. Beef production output in the EU has gone up by 2%. It is now 102%...

Beef Sector: Statements (17 Sep 2019)

Willie Penrose: And more, and it bedevils this important sector. I keep warning my own brother about the suckler cow. For the last ten years, I have been warning him to be careful but the reason most farmers continue is that they have an inherent love for what they do in an open-air setting and he is as happy as Larry. For beef farmers, €4,791 was the average income in 2018, and 125% of their farm...

Beef Sector: Statements (17 Sep 2019)

Willie Penrose: Subsidies were brought in to sustain the maximum number of farm families on the land, not to ensure that ranchers and corporate farmers are sustained, so until we tackle that, we will be back here articulating and mouthing the same thing, and I will watch from the sidelines, saying, "Good God almighty, it is like Rip Van Winkle stuff again." So let us be honest with one another. That is the...

Agriculture: Motion [Private Members] (18 Sep 2019)

Willie Penrose: The Labour Party will support the Fianna Fáil motion. I thank Fianna Fáil for introducing it. We acknowledge the frustration of farmers and workers in meat processing plants. We are particularly concerned about the 6,000 workers laid off to date. Many are on employer-specific work permits so they do not have access to social welfare payments. They have no time to lose in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Correspondence (18 Sep 2019)

Willie Penrose: 135. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the HSE failed to reply to correspondence (details supplied); if same will now be dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37945/19]