Results 2,221-2,240 of 7,978 for speaker:Michael Fitzmaurice
- Forestry: Statements (24 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: On the announcement of the €1.5 billion, it is a lot of money. Many people were interested to see how it would be divvied out. There are improvements in the planting grant for some and on the yearly subsidy the farmers get. It is worrying that, of the €1.5 billion, there does not seem to be a red cent for ash dieback. That is unusual because we have a problem that needs to...
- Finance Bill 2022: Report Stage (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: I move amendment No. 29: In page 102, between lines 33 and 34, to insert the following: “43.(1) Planned increases on carbon tax due in March 2023 shall be postponed as a result of the cost of living currently being experienced.”.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: The Chairman and I can stay for that amendment-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: I thank our guests for coming in. Mr. Savage said there was a package of money we would not look for because it was worth less than the schemes in place. Perhaps he would elaborate on that. In respect of producers groups, what stipulations were being put in? I looked at the different communications about which our guests talked. There was a piece about designated areas or mature...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: It specifically refers to Natura 2000 and designated areas. It raised alarm bells with us where it said that, in designated areas where cattle were grazing, sprays would not be allowed. This would be detrimental to some areas, which is why I am querying the point.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: Take us through the nuts and bolts of it. There will be toing and froing on this regulation. What will be the procedure after that? Will the regulation be laid before the Dáil? If the Department agrees to it, is that game over or will we have some say on it? What is the story?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: A regulation is a regulation. It is not something that is generally voted on in the Dáil.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: Senator Daly referred to different parts. Will Mr. Savage ensure that we are updated on spraying in designated areas? The language in that regard is dangerous. The clerk, Mr. Haughton, has highlighted the various parts about which we have concerns.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: Sorry.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: Has the Department concerns about how the proposal on sprays in designated areas is written?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: Correct.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: Is it the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine that has the full say? Will any other Department nose in on it?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: That may be a positive for us. The witnesses spoke about sustainability. My understanding from the documents is that the Department is raising its eyebrow about many regulations. What were its concerns in respect of sustainability? Producer groups were mentioned. Where are the problems in that regard?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: The witnesses referred to producer groups.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: I have one final question. Looking at the pesticide and designation side of the proposal large swathes of land from the top of County Donegal down to the bottom of County Kerry and out beyond the River Shannon could be affected. Does Teagasc have any concern about the wording of the proposals in relation to pesticides? The term "sensitive areas", could refer to a province or half a...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: I ask that the Department keeps us updated on that. A special area of conservation is a special area of conservation, end of story, just as a natural heritage area is a natural heritage area. If we are talking about the Natura network, that concerns huge parts of the country. Ms Dillon mentioned the nitrate-vulnerable zones. There is different terminology coming on sensitive areas. It...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: I do not agree with this in its present form. If we are going to get this looked at again, I will have no problem waiting.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: We need to see the final draft. I have serious concerns about some of it, to be honest.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: Yes.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (23 Nov 2022)
Michael Fitzmaurice: When does the Department expect a final agreement? Will it be six months or a year?