Results 13,881-13,900 of 23,995 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (12 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Afforestation is considered a permanent land use change and this is important because deforestation is associated negatively with contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, loss of biodiversity and climate change. Most countries have initiatives in place to restrict deforestation and promote woodland creation. The policy in Ireland is to prevent deforestation and increase the forest area....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: State Bodies (12 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is outlined in the table attached. State Body Total Number of Places on the Board (Including the Chairperson) Total Number currently sitting on the Board (Including the Chairperson) Total Number of Male members ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (12 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 666, 667, 668, 669, 670 and 671 together. As the Deputy is aware, I recently signed a protocol outlining the requirements to be met before the export of breeding pigs to China. This provides a framework within which private sector businesses can explore business opportunities in China. The extent and scope of any trade is a matter for private enterprise,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (12 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: If a landowner wishes to remove trees from land, they must obtain a tree felling licence. Every tree felling licence carries an obligation to replant the felled area. A landowner wishing to convert afforested land (regardless of whether the trees were planted under a Forestry Scheme), may propose an alternative area of the same size. This alternative area must receive approval to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Contracts (12 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in procurement and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with relevant guidelines and legislation. EU and national rules promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers value for money. EU Directives declare that there can be legitimate reasons for awarding...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (12 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) provided temporary exceptional adjustment aid to farmers in the beef sector in Ireland, subject to the conditions set out in EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132. BEAM was funded by a combination of EU aid and Exchequer support. It was provided to support Irish beef farmers who saw beef prices fall as a result of disturbance to the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horticulture Sector (12 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 675 and 676 together. The Department supports the Irish seed potato sector through the production of High-Grade seed material at the Department's facility in Tops Potato Centre Co. Donegal. In addition, the Department provides funding to Teagasc who carry out a very successful potato breeding programme. As a further support my Department has a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Meetings (12 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: During the period requested both myself and the Ministers of state attended numerous meetings relating to official duties as Ministers. These meetings can be in person, virtual or via phone. Three lists are attached outlining the main engagements and meetings for the sought period. ">Table ">Table ">Table

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (12 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Coillte is operationally independent of the Department and the management of their forest estate is a matter for the company. I have therefore forwarded this issue to Coillte for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (12 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The National Forestry Programme will continue to be funded nationally, however significant tree planting measures are proposed for inclusion in two schemes under the CAP Strategic Plan; the Eco-scheme and the flagship Agri-Environmental Climate Measure (AECM). Both schemes will be voluntary for farmers to participate in. The Eco-Scheme will be an annual scheme with the option to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (12 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 680 and 681 together. I fully recognise the impact the current forestry licencing delays are having on the sector. Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for he sector, I am in regular and intensive consultation with all stakeholders, and it is my immediate priority to resolve the issues which have led to this backlog and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (12 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The claimants on a commonage, on which the person named is also a shareholder, were selected for inspection in 2021 following on from previous inspections and further communications received from those other claimants to establish an eligible area for the commonage. This is part of the standard procedure for establishing eligibility under the Basic Payment Scheme.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (13 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The export of animals plays an important part in stimulating price competition and providing alternative market outlets for farmers. They are highly valued by the Irish agricultural sector for this reason. Live exports however are only possible with the highest of animal welfare standards during transport, and EU legislation allows for these journeys to take place as long as these standards...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (13 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Some 172 applications for solar panels have been approved under the TAMS scheme. To date, 79 applications have received grant aid in excess of €675,500. No changes to the TAMS eligibility and technical criteria involved are being proposed at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Priorities (13 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I understand from Teagasc, the major provider of these courses, that the Green Cert continued to be delivered online during the period affected by the COVID-19 restrictions and that, consequently, no applicant was refused a place or was delayed accessing the course. Additionally, Teagasc was provided with extra teaching resources to deliver the Green Cert. Details regarding how Teagasc...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (13 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department has had extensive engagement with representatives of the meat processing sector, including those in the pigmeat sector, with regard to current challenges in the supply of labour. In the first instance, employers should avail of the range of supports available from the Department of Social Protection to recruit from labour markets domestically and in the European Economic...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horticulture Sector (14 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Minister Malcolm Noonan T.D., Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, established a working group, which includes a representative from my Department, to address the key issues raised in a Report on the Review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry. A final report from this working group is expected at the end of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse Racing Industry (14 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI and I have requested my officials to refer the question to them for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Veterinary Services (14 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department is committed to ensuring that a skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet its priority business needs and utilises workforce planning to identify and address these needs for all our locations. My Department’s office in Naas, Co. Kildare currently has a total of 47 staff assigned to it. This compares to 44 last year. The Department is increasing resources in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (14 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The person named submitted an application for participation in both the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme on 12th March 2021. In order to qualify for payment under both the BPS and the ANC Schemes, the land claimed must satisfy the eligibility requirements as set out in the terms and conditions of both schemes. As set out in these terms and...