Results 13,021-13,040 of 23,995 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: State Bodies (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The information requested is an operational matter for the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of the  Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and I have therefore referred the question to them for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Beef Taskforce was established by the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on foot of the beef sector agreement of 15th September 2019. The TaskForce is comprised of named individuals who were nominated at that time by the parties to that Agreement. The Beef Taskforce remit was to monitor the implementation of the actions arising from the agreement reached on 15th...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) is operationally independent of the Department and, as such, I cannot make enquiries into any individual appeal.  I have passed the query to the FAC and requested that they provide an update to the applicant on when they can expect to receive the outcome of the appeal.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Results-Based Environment Agri Pilot Project (REAP) is an ambitious, farmer-friendly environmental project designed to test the results based approach on a variety of farm types. The project will feed into the development of the next national agri-environment scheme to follow on from GLAS.  REAP is designed to focus on key learning objectives for participants...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Promotion (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Funding from a number of sources within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and agencies under its remit is available to support local food festivals. These are the Rural Innovation and Development Fund (RIDF) and the LEADER Food Initiative (LFI), part of the LEADER Programme.   The report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA)...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Results-Based Environment Agri Pilot Project (REAP) is an ambitious, farmer-friendly environmental project designed to test the results based approach on a variety of farm types. The project will feed into the development of the next national agri-environment scheme to follow on from GLAS.  REAP is designed to focus on key learning objectives for participants...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishery Harbour Centres (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, the Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: It is a matter of public record that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine brought a prosecution in the case. The Department rightly expects all its staff to fully comply with the law, particularly with those that it is bound to safeguard.  When an allegation that a member of staff has failed to do so is upheld, the Department will act robustly and in accordance with the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: It is a matter of public record that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, brought a prosecution in this case. The Department rightly expects all its staff to fully comply with the law, particularly with those that it is bound to safeguard. When an allegation that a member of staff has failed to do so is upheld, the Department will act robustly and in accordance with the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I was delighted to see the huge level of interest in REAP, demonstrated by over 10,800 applications being received by the Department. Initially, as REAP is a pilot initiative, we were limited to 2,000 places. However, the participation numbers in the project have been increased following engagement with the EU Commission. Now, almost 5,000 farmers will be supported to undertake...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The number of staff employed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine who are earning a wage which would equate to less than €12.30 per hour is 400. The information in respect State Agencies under the aegis of the Department is an operational matter, generally delegated to the Agencies themselves and I will ask the Agencies to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (23 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: A tree felling licence application was submitted for the person named in April 2020.  This is a large, complex site, which is near overwintering grounds for Hen Harrier. The site is over peat of varying depths, near to Lough Derg and there are restrictions on proposed operations, outside the bird nesting season, which brings a risk to water quality. The Department’s Ecology...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (23 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: There are two forestry Senior Inspectors. Both are permanent staff members.  They do not share the same role.  One is the Head of the Forestry Inspectorate Division whose main responsibilities are to manage Forestry Inspectors, Ecologists and Archaeologists within this Division in the implementation of licence and scheme delivery, enforcement and monitoring.  In...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (23 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The question of customer communication is being dealt with under Working Group 3 of Project Woodland.  I wish to reiterate our commitment to the improvement of customer relations and to better meeting customer expectations. I, along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has responsibility for forestry, will be examining in detail the recommendations when they come from the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (23 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department issues forestry related circulars to the forestry sector on a regular basis. These circulars are issued to the trade and clarify or amend Department policy. Such policy clarification or change would then fall to be implemented by Department staff as per the contents of the circular. Where anyone has information that a District Inspector is not following proper procedure,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (23 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Newly established afforestation is only counted in statistics for the year in which it was paid as it is, at that stage, that there is confirmation that the afforestation has been completed.  As regards a site planted in 2019 and paid for in 2020, the area planted would be included in 2020 statistics.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (23 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: As predicted, there has been an increase in licence output from mid-May which has continued each week since. The Department has issued an average of 90-100 licences for the last five weeks and we expect this week to be similar.  This resulted in May being the second highest month in terms of licences issued this year and we expect June to be the highest month of the year...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (23 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: There were many discussions with environmental consultants, amongst others, at the time with clear advice around the Department moving to the implementation of the wider zone of influence. As previously outlined, the decision to move to the 15km was based on a number of factors including the advice from environmental consultants, NPWS, feedback from the FAC and industry standards in other sectors.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (23 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Project Manager is part of the forestry team based in the Department and was specifically recruited to oversee the implementation of Project Woodland. This project is one part of the Department's overall work on forestry which is overseen by the Assistant Secretary with responsibility for the area.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (23 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: There were three licence applications withdrawn by Coillte to date in 2021.  It is the decision of the applicant to withdraw an application which may be made for various reasons.