Results 1,281-1,300 of 1,310 for speaker:Shane McEntee

Other Questions: Sheep Imports (6 Nov 2012)

Shane McEntee: I thank the Deputy for asking the specific question because I ask myself in the same question five mornings a week as when one drives up to the lights at Slane, one sees loads of lamb coming down from Northern Ireland to our factories. However, the direct answer to the Deputy's question is "No". There are figures available to back this up and the single most important point is that it is...

Other Questions: Sheep Imports (6 Nov 2012)

Shane McEntee: During our trip to Westport I met the Galway, Roscommon and Mayo sheep farmers who are under pressure in respect of their store lambs because the people in my area are not buying them owing to a lack of grass. I encouraged them to take a leap of faith and put them inside because even though fodder and meal is dear, they may get a turn out of it, so to speak. I spoke today to a man who took...

Other Questions: Sheep Imports (6 Nov 2012)

Shane McEntee: I am aware from the Minister that negotiations are taking place, and perhaps he will elaborate on that. In regard to the Libyan market, efforts have been made in recent months to open the live trade for the Friesian bull. Sheep are included in that. There must be suitable ships for exporting live animals, however, and the issue is being worked on and is close to a conclusion.

Seanad: Chalara fraxinea (Ash Dieback Disease): Statements (15 Nov 2012)

Shane McEntee: I thank the House for the opportunity to give an update and to debate this important matter. Chalara fraxinea poses a very real threat to ash trees throughout the island of Ireland and indeed to those forest industries which rely on that species for their business. With 3% of the national forest estate under ash and over 10% of all new planting made up of this species, it is vital that...

Seanad: Chalara fraxinea (Ash Dieback Disease): Statements (15 Nov 2012)

Shane McEntee: Ash wood can be imported in four forms. I will repeat what I said earlier, for clarification. Imported ash wood must be accompanied by a plant passport and an official statement that it originated in the area known to be free from Chalara fraxinea. It must be squared so as to remove entirely the round surface. It must be sawn without residual bark attached and have undergone kiln drying...

Seanad: Chalara fraxinea (Ash Dieback Disease): Statements (15 Nov 2012)

Shane McEntee: I am glad.

Seanad: Chalara fraxinea (Ash Dieback Disease): Statements (15 Nov 2012)

Shane McEntee: I am delighted with the debate. It is refreshing to listen to the views expressed by Members and I will now reflect on them. Since the outbreak of Chalara fraxinea in Europe we have taken 32 samples of suspect cases from throughout the country. I am from a farming background and everybody knows about the traceability of our beef and dairy produce. I was delighted to discover that we have...

Topical Issue Debate: Agricultural Diseases (20 Nov 2012)

Shane McEntee: I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. No adult trees currently have the problem. The work we started in the past two weeks will continue for the next month or six weeks and will determine how we save Irish ash trees and become self-sufficient in ash by 2020. Much hard work lies ahead and members of the public, the National Roads Authority, the Irish Farmers Association and those...

Topical Issue Debate: Agricultural Diseases (20 Nov 2012)

Shane McEntee: I will respond to the questions in reverse order. The importation of timber for firewood is being dealt with at the ports. Last year, permission to unload a full shipment of firewood was refused and we required a supermarket to withdraw from its shelves material on which bark was present. The same will apply to all supermarkets, stations and even people selling from the back of lorries. We...

Topical Issue Debate: Agricultural Diseases (20 Nov 2012)

Shane McEntee: The movement of ash is coming to a halt, but we have not discussed compensation. We are consulting the GAA. If everything works out and everyone does his or her bit, there will have been no mention of compensation by next March.

Topical Issue Debate: Bloodstock Industry (28 Nov 2012)

Shane McEntee: I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It is crucial that this matter be raised at this time because, as Deputy Heydon stated, the Government has a role in providing annual funding. The objective is to secure the 16,000 jobs involved in the racing industry. It would be nice to be able to say we will allocate so much for the next five years but that...

Topical Issue Debate: Bloodstock Industry (28 Nov 2012)

Shane McEntee: I understand where the Deputy is coming from. What he proposes is crucial because everybody knows there is an attack on the industry, particularly from France and other countries that want to take not only our horses but also our pride in the industry. While I cannot say what the budget will be, we are committed to continuing to fund the industry. When the recommendations in the report...

Topical Issue Debate: United Nations Resolutions (28 Nov 2012)

Shane McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue which I am taking on behalf of the Tánaiste. It is good that it is being raised. Both the Deputy and I are of a similar age and we can recall all the horrors of the past on this island. Last week, when we witnessed similar atrocities in Gaza, it brought me back in time and one cannot say who is right or wrong. We faced our own horrors in...

Topical Issue Debate: United Nations Resolutions (28 Nov 2012)

Shane McEntee: I will pass on the Deputy's message to the Tánaiste. He thanks the Deputy for his remarks, both at home and internationally, about the Government's position on this important issue. There has been wide support in the Oireachtas and among the public for this position. The Government hopes this measured advance at the UN will encourage the Palestinian people to believe they are slowly...

Topical Issue Debate: Departmental Properties (28 Nov 2012)

Shane McEntee: While I convinced several American visitors to stay in Meath for several days rather than in Dublin, when they eventually visited the city, they were impressed by its magnificent buildings. People from both home and abroad are always impressed by Dublin's magnificent and historic buildings. The Central Bank's principal offices are contained in the famous building designed by Stephenson and...

Topical Issue Debate: Departmental Properties (28 Nov 2012)

Shane McEntee: I will not take two minutes. I accept and I can see that Deputy Humphreys is passionate and has the matter thought out clearly. I have no doubt I will bring back the message to the Minister, Deputy Deenihan. When one believes in something strongly one should never give up on it. Deputy Humphreys is correct about Dublin city and we are all proud of it. What Deputy Humphreys has outlined...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Financial Resolution No. 15: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2012)

Shane McEntee: Over three years, Fianna Fáil's budgets broke the country. I will not be lectured to by the Deputy.

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Financial Resolution No. 15: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2012)

Shane McEntee: That is why the Green Party walked.

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Financial Resolution No. 15: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2012)

Shane McEntee: The Deputy would know all about that.

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Financial Resolution No. 15: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2012)

Shane McEntee: Why did you not say it on Sunday?