Results 7,261-7,280 of 7,793 for speaker:Michael Fitzmaurice

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (29 May 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Look at the current map of Ireland and at this famous map that has landed. I come from an area where there are no dairy cows and the most pristine river in Ireland is in it, but this new map has gone over it as if it is a black spot.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (29 May 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Yes, it is because of phosphorus. The way they are doing things is very unjust, but do the witnesses believe the phosphorus can be solved relatively simply?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (29 May 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Is it a problem for the witnesses or for farmers that when looking at the data, it is changing? At one time, in fairness to the Chair, we were going through the export of slurry. At one time the figure for the export of slurry was five but overnight it mysteriously came down to two point something. We got more accurate figures that were a bit higher than that and were in the threes. If...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (29 May 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Is work being done on phosphorus in areas? Am I correct in saying it is being done and it is not all being concentrated on two or three areas?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (29 May 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: That is good to hear. I thank the witnesses for their time.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Public Sector Staff (29 May 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 151. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current number of vacant TAO and SAO positions; the breakdown of same across the divisions per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24369/24]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Public Sector Staff (29 May 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 152. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of TAO and SAO that have currently applied to retire in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24370/24]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Public Sector Staff (29 May 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: 153. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of current TAO and SAO employed in each division per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24371/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Use of Agricultural Land for Renewable Energy: ESB Networks (12 Jun 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I welcome the witnesses and I apologise that we are in and out so much. I have a few short questions. Is there still a problem connecting to the grid if somebody puts up turbines or for wind farms? Do people still have to wait on a block or whatever? Is that still the system?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Use of Agricultural Land for Renewable Energy: ESB Networks (12 Jun 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: It might not be the ESB Networks side of it but I was looking at the energy figures. Basically, we brought in a lot of power through the interconnector. That is imported to put it simply. That could be coming from fossil fuel or renewable sources. We then claim to have reduced emissions. Is it not someone else ticking the box on emissions?

Nature Restoration Law: Motion [Private Members] (12 Jun 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I welcome the motion. There are a few things to be said. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, have gone around Europe, where a lot of countries are kicking back at this law for the simple reason of the consequences it will have. It is bad legislation and should not be let in here. The Minister of State has spoken about it being voluntary. I will give...

Nature Restoration Law: Motion [Private Members] (12 Jun 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: There was more than one.

Nature Restoration Law: Motion [Private Members] (12 Jun 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: How does the Minister of State know that if he is going out of government?

Nature Restoration Law: Motion [Private Members] (12 Jun 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Who says we are if the Minister of State is gone out of government?

Nature Restoration Law: Motion [Private Members] (12 Jun 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: If the Minister of State is gone anything can be taken out of it.

Nature Restoration Law: Motion [Private Members] (12 Jun 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: You can change anything you want. It does not have to be green policy everywhere.

Nature Restoration Law: Motion [Private Members] (12 Jun 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: The Minister of State is not God.

Nature Restoration Law: Motion [Private Members] (12 Jun 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: We heard that about the habitats directive.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Use of Agricultural Land for Renewable Energy: ESB Networks (12 Jun 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: I apologise for interrupting Mr. Tarrant speaking about onshore wind. Where do we stand with offshore wind?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Use of Agricultural Land for Renewable Energy: ESB Networks (12 Jun 2024)

Michael Fitzmaurice: Recently there have been serious problems where forestry is being put up. A tree will grow to 70 ft or 80 ft over 30 years. Why does ESB Networks not look for them to be 20 m or 30 m back from its power lines? In Rooskey and Kilmore in County Roscommon people have been tortured over trees falling. Obviously, the land there would not be hectic and the trees might flip over pulling the...