Results 19,361-19,380 of 24,015 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department supports the Government initiative "A Career for EU”, Ireland’s strategy to increase Irish representation in the European Union's Institutions and Agencies to make sure Ireland maintains its influence within the EU’s institutions for years to come. My Department currently has total of three officers in Attache roles who are serving in Brussels through...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: A vibrant sheep sector is as an integral element of a balanced regional economy and I know that sheep farmers are committed to producing a world-class, safe and sustainable product. Although there has been a solid and sustained increase in average sheep prices since the end of February, I recognise that sheep farmers are experiencing more difficult market conditions in 2023 compared to recent...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for his continued interest in this matter. In July 2022, the Programme for Government commitment was delivered with the publication of the Wool Review Report. One of the main recommendations of the report was the establishment of an independent Wool Council led by industry which would develop and promote Irish wool domestically and internationally and bring together...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Mental Health Policy (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for this question on such an important topic. Farming is one of the most rewarding professions but it can be a challenging and difficult career choice too. Mental health is a critical issue facing all of society and farmers are not exempt. I am aware of studies which have revealed the extent to which Irish farmers are experiencing a range of challenges and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: State Bodies (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for her ongoing interest in this matter. As the Deputy is aware, one of the main recommendations of the Wool Feasibility Report is the establishment of an ‘Irish Grown Wool Council’ which would be industry-led and have multiple stakeholders from the wool sector including primary producers, farmers and commercial enterprises willing to fund research and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Forestry Programme of 2014-2020 (extended to 2022) which expired at the end of 2022. We have been working intensively and proactively with the European Commission to secure State Aid approval for the new Programme. Once State Aid approval that has been received we will be in a position to launch...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Citizens' Assembly (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I welcome the recent recommendations from the Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity Loss following the publication of the final report on the work of the Assembly on 5th April 2023. The report includes 159 recommendations. These include 73 high-level recommendations and 86 sectoral specific actions and priorities. These recommendations and related policy implications, particularly those that...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: State Bodies (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy is aware, one of the main recommendations of the Wool Feasibility Report which was published in July 2022, was the establishment of an independent ‘Irish Grown Wool Council’ which would be industry-led and have multiple stakeholders from the wool sector including primary producers, farmers and commercial enterprises willing to fund research and promotion. In...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Carbon farming includes those farming practices that remove CO2from the atmosphere and contribute to the climate neutrality objective. A certification system should enable more effective rewards for carbon farming facilitated through either public or private initiatives. I am keen to see the implementation of a Carbon Farming Framework in Ireland. Some important groundwork needs to be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Citizens' Assembly (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: My Officials are currently considering the recommendations related to Agriculture within the report referred to by the Deputy. In many cases actions are already in place to deliver on the report's recommendations. My Department recognises that biodiversity is a keystone to our way of life and an important agenda item for us all. As a result, biodiversity is supported through a variety of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: A vibrant sheep sector is as an integral element of a balanced regional economy and I know that sheep farmers are committed to producing a world-class, safe and sustainable product. Although there has been a solid and sustained increase in average sheep prices since the end of February, I recognise that sheep farmers are experiencing more difficult market conditions in 2023 compared to recent...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The purpose of the Nitrates Action Programme, since its introduction in 2006, has been to prevent pollution of waterbodies from agricultural sources and to protect and improve water quality. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is the lead authority for the Nitrates Regulations and the Nitrates Action Programme (NAP). My Department works very closely with DHLGH...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Traditional Farm Building Scheme was launched in 2016 as an agri-environmental measure under the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020.It built upon the success of the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme which operated under REPS 4 from 2007 to 2013 and ensured that more than 350 buildings throughout Ireland were conserved for agricultural use.I am delighted to be able to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Inshore Fisheries (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I have been responsive to the needs of the Inshore sector in terms of financial support. In February I announced the reopening the Sustainable Fisheries Scheme (Part B). This scheme provides grant aid for on-board capital investment in fishing vessels and will be an important opportunity to maintain investment in the fleet and to enable vessel owners invest in environmentally progressive...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy may be aware that the first confirmed finding of Ash Dieback Disease (Hymenoscyphus fraxineaus) in Ireland was made on 12thOctober 2012 at a forestry plantation site which had been planted in 2009 with trees imported from continental Europe. In March 2013, the Department introduced a Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara Ash Dieback) to restore forests planted under the afforestation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: EU Directives (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: During the negotiations of Ireland’s current Nitrates Derogation and since the European Commission published its Implementing Decision granting Ireland's Nitrates Derogation covering the period 2022-2025, officials from my Department and officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have actively engaged on several occasions with the European Commission on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Inshore Fisheries (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I have been responsive to the needs of the Inshore sector in terms of financial support. In February I announced the reopening the Sustainable Fisheries Scheme (Part B). This scheme provides grant aid for on-board capital investment in fishing vessels and will be an important opportunity to maintain investment in the fleet and to enable vessel owners invest in environmentally progressive...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Environmental Policy (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The approval and uses of creosote as a wood preservative were recently reviewed under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the Competent Authority in Ireland with responsibility for this legislation. The EU review process, which was managed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), resulted in a renewal of approval for creosote that was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is the lead authority for the Nitrates Regulations and the associated interim review of the 5th Nitrates Action Programme (NAP). My Department works very closely with DHLGH in this regard. The interim review of the 2022 to 2025 NAP will take place in the coming months. The purpose of the review is to undertake an assessment...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: No doubt the Deputy is aware of the Brexit Adjustment: Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022-2023. The BALAMI Scheme gives effect to one of the recommendations of the Seafood Sector Taskforce which I established to identify how to address the impacts of Brexit on the seafood sector. This scheme is proposed to be funded in the main from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. The...