Results 10,161-10,180 of 23,991 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Covid-19 Pandemic (22 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Myself, my predecessors and my officials have had regular meetings with Meat Industry Ireland, and indeed with the other food industry representatives, in the course of the pandemic. At all meetings, it was emphasised that Industry’s priority must be the safeguarding of human health and following HSE guidelines at all levels of operation. The first of these meetings was on 11 March and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Covid-19 Pandemic (22 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department is contributing to the whole-of-Government response to managing outbreaks of Covid -19 in food plants. In the context of Covid-19, human health must be the absolute priority for all of us, and therefore it is vitally important that all our decisions and actions led by public health advice. My Department’s statutory responsibility in relation to meat processing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (22 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: In April 2018, my Department started a review of the national response to Ash Dieback Disease as it was increasingly evident from experience and the latest scientific advice that eradication of Ash Dieback disease was no longer feasible. This included a stakeholder and public consultation period, detailed field consideration of damage level evaluation together with a broader range of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Retirement Scheme (22 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: In recent years, the priority of my Department has shifted to the encouragement of generational change for farmers by assisting the development of our young farmers. There is a range of supports in place including specific agri-taxation measures to incentivise this generational change. The agri-taxation measures specifically aimed at young farmers include 100% stock relief on income tax for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Data (22 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: In accordance with EU Regulation 1306/2013, my Department is obliged to ensure annual ex-post publication of all of the beneficiaries of CAP funding, both legal and non-legal persons. The database was published on 29thMay this year and is available on the Department’s website. I attach herewith a copy of the requested data, all of which can be sourced on the afore-mentioned database....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Inshore Fisheries (22 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Like many elements of Irish seafood, the lobster fishery relies on a healthy export market. BIM’s Business of Irish Seafood report, which is available online, values Irish lobster exports in 2019 at €15m and quantifies landings of 100 tonnes by the Irish Fishing Fleet in 2019. Lobster is a particularly important species for the inshore fishing fleet and is fished...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Inshore Fisheries (22 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy should be aware that China, as a third country, outside of the European Union, sets its own health standards for incoming food products and notifies the WTO of the standards in place. I understand that the Chinese authorities have recently launched a consultation on the health standards that will apply for crab as a food product and my Department is actively examining what the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Environmental Policy (22 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Teagasc considered bioenergy production including anaerobic digestion and biogas as part of its MACC report published in 2018 (see link below). There is currently research underway in Teagasc to optimise the biomass production for feed stocks that meet the sustainability criteria of the Renewable Energy Directive. In addition, Teagasc, in collaboration with NUI Galway, are also carrying out...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Environmental Policy (22 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department recognises the potential environmental benefits of using Anaernobic Digestion (AD), including climate mitigation, water quality and air quality. The AD industry in Ireland is at an early stage of development compared to the more established industry in many European countries. Potential for the growth of the AD sector in Ireland is strong but it should be seen as a long...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Environmental Policy (22 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 894 and 895 together. Indigenous renewable energy plays a vital role in our domestic fuel mix and will become even more important in the context of reducing our reliance on imported fuels and in meeting our challenging renewable energy targets for 2020 and 2030 and decarbonising our energy systems by 2050. My Department is committed to working...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (22 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The Programme for Government commits the Government to “provide additional resources to monitor welfare standards, by increasing the veterinary presence available on all live export consignments to third countries”. You can be assured that my officials will be working on the implementation of this commitment on an ongoing basis. My Department continues to evaluate and modify...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (22 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The export of animals is a critical part of Ireland’s livestock industry. It plays a significant role in stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. My Department facilitates this trade, recognising its critical importance to the agri-sector, while ensuring that live animal exports meet the highest welfare standards. In 2019, the combined...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (22 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme offers a fixed grant towards the costs, subject to the maximum laid down in the Scheme’s terms and conditions. In addition, annual premiums are payable on new forests that qualify for an afforestation grant for a maximum period of 15 years. The Scheme offers 12 different grant and premiums categories (GPC) based on different species...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (22 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department is aware of the issue in relation to the certificates of approval of the vessels in question, which was an administrative matter and did not impact on the welfare of animals. The issue was resolved in April 2020. The Department has now updated the procedure for issuing certificates of approval for the dedicated livestock vessels. Article 1(3) of Council Regulation 1/2005...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (23 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Applications for Aquaculture licences are considered by my Department under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act, and applicable EU legislation. In the case of Lough Foyle, Section 2 of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act disapplies the Act to the Moville Area, as it is defined in the Foyle Fisheries Act, 1952. My Department therefore does not issue...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Foreshore Issues (23 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The Good Friday Agreement provided for the establishment of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC). This body is one of the six North South Implementation Bodies created under the Agreement. The Loughs Agency, as part of the FCILC, has been given responsibility for fisheries related matters in respect of both Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough and the legislation envisages...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Timber Supply (23 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 222 together. I am acutely aware that current delays in issuing licences has led to difficulties for stakeholders. The Government is committed to reform of the planning and appeals processes as set out in the Programme for Government and we have published draft legislation to this effect which will be presented to the Seanad this week. My...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Legislative Measures (24 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020 (previously titled the Agriculture Appeals (Amendment) Bill 2020), was published on 23 September 2020 and went before Seanad Eireann for second stage debate on the same date. It is scheduled for Committee and Report stage before the Seanad on Friday 25 September, 2020 and is on the indicative schedule of business for Dail Eireann week...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (24 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: An application for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme, on behalf of the person named, was received in January this year. Every application must be assessed to ensure any effect the proposed operations may have on the surrounding landscape and environment are carefully considered. The site was assessed by my Department’s Archaeologist and their report has been received. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse Sport Ireland (24 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Horse Sport Ireland is a company limited by guarantee. This organisational configuration has been in place since its inception in 2008. A comprehensive review of the structure was carried out by Indecon Consultants in 2017 and recommended certain organisational and governance changes which are in the process of being implemented. Iam not aware of any proposal or any request to change its...