Results 941-960 of 4,399 for speaker:Martin Browne

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Alleged Issues in the Horse Racing Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jul 2021)

Martin Browne: I would like to ask about the "Panorama" programme. Can we ask questions on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Alleged Issues in the Horse Racing Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Jul 2021)

Martin Browne: I accept and appreciate that. I want to ask questions, but like I said, I am aware that other members want to come in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Martin Browne: I also welcome our guests. Some of them have said that they are conscious of what is going on in the sector and that there is a journey under way. After what we heard at several of our recent meetings and from talking to people in the sector, it does not appear that there is much of a drive going on between the different Departments. I have some comments and questions. A major factor in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Martin Browne: Time is running out for the sector while the Departments are in discussions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Martin Browne: Can I pose a question to the representatives from each of the Departments?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Martin Browne: Starting with the representatives from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I noted with interest the second last paragraph of the opening statement. It acknowledges the opinions of the working group in respect of a phasing out to be undertaken up to 2030. Is this something that the Department sees as a possible solution to the problem we are facing?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Martin Browne: I do not think that anyone here believes that there is going to be an alternative in place by September, at which point this sector will be in serious trouble. Is it possible that the date for this change can be stretched out to 2030 to let the sector come up with the solutions and alternatives that have been referred to? I wonder could such an approach be adopted instead of bringing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Martin Browne: I have a question for the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on this so-called stockpile of peat. Can the Department comment on the actions of the EPA regarding a certain company that sought to prevent it from accessing that? Does the Department see this as an appropriate way to act in light of the circumstances right now?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Martin Browne: We will not get an answer to that question. I have a question for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The Department seemed to be at great pains in its opening statement to say that it has no role in the regulation of peat extraction or planning. They said that is for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. They then said that IPC licences fall under the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Martin Browne: All the Departments have been speaking about buying time to develop these alternatives. They seem to be forgetting, though, the whole sector and professionalism in that industry. They are already in the process of looking into alternatives. They are the ones who know their industry. They know what works right now and what does not work. Instead of Departments trying to buy time for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Martin Browne: Apologies; I do not know where it went.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Martin Browne: The horticultural sector values the planet and all it offers. We have got that message any time we have spoken to those involved in it. Sustainability is of vital important to them. So, work with them. Do not start dictating to them out of an idealistic stance that is in practice unrealistic. The Department needs to live up to its words and secure the thousands of jobs to which Deputies...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Martin Browne: No, there was not really. Instead of buying time, our guests need to work with the people who we have been talking to and who are involved in that sector on a daily basis in order that they can come to a conclusion. There will be a massive number of jobs at risk, if something is not done quickly. Buying time is not a solution.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticultural Industry: Discussion (20 Jul 2021)

Martin Browne: I have a quick question. Deputy Fitzmaurice's frustration is evident. We are totally frustrated that this has been going on since February. Three Departments are in today, but I do not know if we are anywhere near getting answers from them or a resolution. I can imagine those in the sector looking at today's meeting were hoping we would get answers or some resolution to how the situation...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges for the Forestry Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Aug 2021)

Martin Browne: I welcome the Minister of State and her officials, although I need to disagree with them. I do not know whether the crisis across the whole timber industry has got any better since we started talking about it in this committee. It was going on before this committee was set up. The backlog in the issuing of licences is still unacceptable. That has come across in every meeting we have had...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges for the Forestry Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Aug 2021)

Martin Browne: I will interrupt the Minister of State. I have no doubt that there are representatives of the industry on groups. However, we are hearing that there has been little input from tree growers and sellers. They are being asked to implement these policies and actions. They are being virtually ignored or being overruled. That is what we are hearing from them. There is no point in having...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges for the Forestry Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Aug 2021)

Martin Browne: What is coming across when we speak to representatives of the sector is that they feel it is incredible that the Department, which has been responsible for the situation the forestry sector is in, will be in control of the future policy of the forestry sector. Is it not time for the Minister of State and the other Ministers and Ministers of State involved to take control away from the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges for the Forestry Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Aug 2021)

Martin Browne: Will the Minister admit this problem has been ongoing for years?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges for the Forestry Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Aug 2021)

Martin Browne: We have known now for a decade that planting has been in decline. To return to an issue Deputy Fitzmaurice brought up earlier and I raised some months ago, the system of regulating private forestry has become increasingly burdensome for private operators. This has led to a view in the sector that the Department is operating a system that is biased towards Coillte. That needs to be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Challenges for the Forestry Sector: Discussion (Resumed) (4 Aug 2021)

Martin Browne: The Minister of State spoke earlier of encouraging new farmers to come into the sector. Someone else referred to patience. I will use my county and that of the Cathaoirleach as an example. The planting of trees in Tipperary plummeted to an all-time low last year, with 12 ha planted compared with 1,200 ha planted in 2001. Forestry licences are taking almost two years to process. How does...