Results 201-220 of 4,911 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Teagasc Activities (30 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: The continued development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for my Department, given the pivotal role the industry plays in the national economic context. The sector generates substantial revenue and employment opportunities in rural areas, playing a crucial role in sustaining local economies. I am aware of the work carried out by the Teagasc Pig Department in examining potential...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (30 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: The new Programme for Government prioritises “supporting inter-generational farm succession”. Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the agri-food sector, states that generational renewal in farming is critically important to ensure the future viability and social sustainability of the Irish agri-food sector and of rural Ireland. There are a number of supports for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (30 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations 2022 (SI 113 of 2022, as amended). Under these Regulations the closed period for applying slurry to land now commences on the 1st of October annually. In 2022 the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, following consultation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Public Procurement Contracts (30 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: Officials in my Department are currently updating the Contract Award Notices for all contracts valued over €25,000 ex-VAT to ensure full compliance with Circular 05/2023. This will be completed shortly. Separately, my Department publishes the details of all contracts awarded that are valued over €25,000 ex-VAT on a quarterly basis on my Department’s website. These...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Public Procurement Contracts (30 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: It is my Department's policy in relation to any competitive process undertaken in accordance with Regulation 55 of S.I. No. 284/2016 and without the assistance of any external agencies (e.g. The Office of Government Procurement or the Education Procurement Service) that unsuccessful tenderers are provided with:The name of the successful tenderer;A scoring breakdown including their own scores...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Public Procurement Contracts (30 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: It is my Department's policy in relation to any competitive process undertaken in accordance with Regulation 55 of S.I. No. 284/2016 and without the assistance of any external agencies (e.g. The Office of Government Procurement or the Education Procurement Service) that unsuccessful tenderers are provided with:The name of the successful tenderer;A scoring breakdown including their own scores...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Climate Action Plan (30 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: This Government recognises the importance of the tillage sector and wants to grow the area under tillage crops in the years ahead. However, the use of land for tillage or any other agricultural enterprise is untimely a matter for farmers themselves. Despite the various challenges that the sector has faced in recent years, the area of crops has remained relatively stable. Since 2020, the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (30 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: In general, land burnt during the closed season (March 1st to August 31st) is not eligible for the purpose of payment under the BISS or any other area based scheme. My Department actively identifies areas of burnt land declared for area based schemes, and in particular land that is burned during the closed season. Where land is identified as having been burned during the closed season no...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Safety (30 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: Food produced at establishments approved by my Department that is recalled by reason of confirmation of the presence of microorganisms linked to food borne disease must be declared unfit for human consumption. This recalled food must be disposed of under Animal By-Product Regulation 1069/2009 if it is of animal origin. This means that it must be sent to an animal by-product handling facility....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (30 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations 2022 (SI 113 of 2022, as amended). Under these Regulations the closed period for applying slurry to land now commences on the 1st of October annually. In 2022 the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, following consultation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (30 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 758 and 759 together. My Department provides a range of financial supports that focus on compensating farmers for both direct and indirect losses incurred as a result of a TB breakdown on the farm. The On Farm Market Valuation scheme provides compensation to affected herdowners up to the market value that each individual animal would have attained on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (30 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: There is detailed European Union and Irish legislation in place on the protection of broiler chickens which sets out specific requirements that must be met by anyone keeping commercial broiler flocks. Trained Veterinary Inspectors from my Department carry out risk-based inspections of a selection of flocks each year to check compliance with these requirements. The inspections are carried out...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (25 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Byrne for raising this important issue. He touched on the heart of the challenge. It has been three really difficult years for the tillage sector, and for tillage farmers in particular, due to weather, prices and ongoing challenges. The tillage sector is an incredibly important component of the overall agricultural sector. Farmers are very dependent on one another. We are...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: It did not work out so well for them over in Britain.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Veterinary Laboratories (25 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department is working in partnership with the Office of Public Works to develop detailed proposals for a redevelopment programme of the Regional Veterinary Laboratory network. Under current proposals the development of the laboratory facilities in Sligo is scheduled for the second phase. Ultimately, the pace and scheduling of these proposals will be determined by the availability of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (25 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: I published the Bovine TB Action Plan, “Addressing Bovine TB in Ireland”, on 9 September. The Action Plan follows extensive discussions with stakeholders in recent months. I also received support and approval from Cabinet on 24 June to address the current high levels of Bovine TB (bTB). The Action Plan is based on scientific research and veterinary expertise. There are five...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (25 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations 2022 (SI 113 of 2022, as amended). Under these Regulations the closed period for applying slurry to land now commences on the 1st of October annually. In 2022 the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, following consultation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (25 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme provides financial compensation to farmers in recognition of the additional cost they incur in farming land that is designated as disadvantaged/constrained. In 2019, Ireland was required, under Articles 31 and 32 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, to change the approach used to designating land as eligible for payment under the scheme. Up to that...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Prices (25 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department, including all agencies under the aegis of my Department, has no role in determining or intervening in prices for food commodities at farm-gate or retail level. Market prices are a matter between suppliers and buyers. However, my Department does monitor the trends in agricultural input and output prices, with recent estimates indicating that trading conditions for farmers...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (24 Sep 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together. Animal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. The Animal Welfare Grants Programme provided considerable support for animal welfare charities, with €6 million awarded to 101 animal welfare charities nationwide, in 2024 including the organisation in question. Animal Welfare Grants are paid under the...