Results 11,661-11,680 of 23,995 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (11 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The share allocation of stocks between Member States was established as a principle of the first Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in 1983 and was based on the average catch of each Member State over a period of reference years (track record). The only exception to this relates to the Hague Preferences, on the basis of a special recognition agreement of the underdeveloped nature of the Irish...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I am sharing time with my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon.

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Covid-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts and consequences. From our large towns and cities to the most remote parts of rural Ireland, the effects of this deadly disease visited many families and communities. The agrifood sector played a crucial role in keeping supply chains working, keeping the nation fed and driving food exports to ensure a balanced economy. The sector is the...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Carthy for his questions. First, as to the situation of Covid-19 in the meat factories, this is something that the Government is taking very seriously and the meat factories have also responded very intensively to this issue. As I said in my opening contribution, the welfare of employees and of people is the first priority in this pandemic across all sectors of society, and...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: On inshore fishermen, the aquaculture sector and the fishing species quota, my objective is to support them in every way I can and I will be monitoring the situation closely. This is particularly the case with the follow-through from Brexit with the potential for a tie-up scheme to try to support incomes in the short term and the time ahead. I will also monitor the situation on our...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Sherlock for his questions. Turning to the beef task force first, it has carried out a good deal of work by bringing farm organisations and stakeholders together. It has an important role to play in future as well and I will ensure it continues to work productively. Regarding the harvesting of peat, the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, has put together a committee to...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Crowe. On the fair deal scheme, the Bill is due to come before Dáil Éireann this term. The objective is to have it in place and operational by summertime. I have recently published the consultation on the new agri-environment scheme, which is closing on 26 February. Already there have been some 1,000 replies to the consultation. I would encourage all farmers...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Flaherty. I am aware of the campaign in Longford and I commend it on emphasising the importance of local produce. I hope that others follow the lead on that. I will look into the specific case raised and I will revert to the Deputy on it.

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Deputy Kenny spoke about bait importation for coarse fishing and I will follow up on the issue. We have many challenging issues as a result of Britain being a third country and outside the Single Market. Many of these issues are not easily resolved if resolvable. I will look into it in detail. Deputy Daly asked about forestry appeals where we have had significant challenges. We have...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy and I have discussed this matter and a number of other Deputies have raised it with me. As he knows the public health advice must be put first throughout the pandemic. That is the backdrop against which we are working. I certainly understand and recognise the challenges closure has had on the point-to-point industry and the importance of that sector of the horse racing industry....

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: As regards Deputy Cahill's point, this is something on which he has made many representations to me and we have discussed it at length. I take on board the importance of the point-to-point sector in the overall horse racing industry and the financial implications of it being closed. As I pointed out previously, that was done against the backdrop of the public health advice and the...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy raised the matter of meat factories and the Covid pandemic. As with every other sector of society and the economy, the safety of employees from danger and the risk of infection is absolutely paramount. That is essential in the meat and food processing sectors in particular, given that their employees are designated as essential workers and therefore have had to work throughout...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I will come back to the Deputy directly with a response on it.

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: On the beef task force, its work continues. One of the main outcomes is the agreement in regard to a PGI grass fed beef standard application to the European Commission. There is also an agreement, on which I have worked with the task force, to provide €6 million in funding for the first time to support the development of a suckler beef brand. There is more work ongoing, including on...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: In the meat industry, as in every other part of the economy, the welfare and health of employees has to come first. The same rules apply to everyone in this regard. All employers must take every precaution they possibly can to keep employees safe. There is also an onus on the Government to work to ensure there is oversight and inspection in order to make sure those standards are being...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: A significant number of queries have been raised. Deputy Ó Cuív mentioned the importance of funding coastal communities, the importance of the new agri-environmental scheme and of funding piers. I take his points on board. Deputy O'Sullivan mentioned the issue of horse welfare and the animal welfare strategy, as did Deputy Higgins. There is work to be done on this and I take on...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: My thanks to Deputy Browne for the question on the vaccination plans for key workers in the dairy processing sector. Recently, I met representatives of the dairy sector and this issue was raised. As the Deputy knows, the vaccination roll-out has been given strong and deft consideration by the national immunisation advisory committee. Our roll-out and approach are based on the committee's...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Government Deputies and Senators in County Mayo and other counties have been in touch with me directly raising this issue and they are very much aware of it. Obviously, I am not in a position today to give any guarantees around that but I have clearly outlined, as I have to Government Deputies who have raised this with me directly, that I am engaged with Teagasc. I understand the position...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. Deputy Durkan touched on several issues. One of the specific issues he raised was in respect of felling licences and the delays in that regard. It was also the last point raised by Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan. There has been a backlog in that area. We are working very hard to allocate additional resources to try to reduce that backlog and...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The beef task force plays a very important role-----