Results 2,521-2,540 of 23,915 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Schemes (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The point Deputy Smith makes about terrain is a fair one and it has been made to me. Under the outgoing TAMS scheme up to the end of last year, for a dribble bar for low-emission slurry spreading or for the trailing shoe one, the grant aid was 40%. The trailing shoe machine is more expensive than the dribble bar and it is also bigger, but some of the research that came through to me was...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I examined whether there was some way that could be done. However, the ACRES payment is a blend. It comes within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, scheme and is co-funded nationally and with European money. We have to have an audit trail as to how we make those payments. Some 18,000 farmers will receive an 85% payment this month. Two thirds of the farmers in the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: First, we did make it clear immediately whenever it was clear that it could not be done and that we had run out of road. That was approximately a week and a half ago. Up to that point, we were working on the basis of trying to move heaven and earth to see if we could get both the co-operation and general scheme paid by the end of this year. Then, we made clear and outlined what was going...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: If I had only stuck with 30,000, there would be 16,000 farmers who would not get a payment anytime this year and would not get it in February either.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Every effort has been made, and I will continue to keep the pressure on. All of the team are working massively hard to deliver on this-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: -----in order to ensure that farmers get paid as quickly as possible for the great enthusiasm they have shown, and then next year to make sure it happens. It will be in the second year of the scheme. It will be up and running-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: ----- and operating in a much smoother way. We will make sure the payments are made within the calendar year.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fishing Industry (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: This is an important issue to fishermen in north Donegal, particularly those in Greencastle who fish for haddock off the Rockall bank. It is a really important fishing ground for them. It is an issue the Deputy and I have discussed on a number of occasions. As I have explained before, Rockall has always been within the 200-mile zone of UK waters. It was never within the 200-mile zone...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fishing Industry (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Obviously, I have to be measured in what I say because there are diplomatic efforts under way to try to resolve this issue. The newspaper coverage to which the Deputy referred will show there are genuine efforts being made by the Irish Government to try to find a way forward on this. We want to try to resolve this. It is really important for Greencastle fishermen in particular, but also in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Beef Sector (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I welcome the engagement with the agriculture committee on this issue and the discussion in respect of it. I am sure the ICBF will welcome and consider any proposals or suggestions arising from that. It is set up with a board, which includes very strong farmer representation, and is considering the matter. The aspect I am considering is the impact on the SCEP scheme in the context of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Beef Sector (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: There is ongoing engagement between my team and the ICBF in respect of the changes it is making and, in particular, any impacts on SCEP. It is up to the ICBF and the board, on which all the farm organisations are represented, to do their businesses, deal with the data coming in and make the changes and adjustments they are making. As regards the SCEP programme, I have paused any impact...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I have received many queries in the ten days since, unfortunately, we had to announce we would not be able to pay the farmers we had been working hard to pay in December. ACRES has been a great success, with significant uptake. It is working well in terms of getting farmers to participate in it. It is on course to make significant and expected...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Beef Sector (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I am aware of the concerns among some farmers about the recent changes to the ICBF beef index, particularly farmers participating in the SCEP. I have been closely monitoring the impact of the changes on SCEP farmers. I remain confident that the amended indices will improve beef farm profitability and also beef farm sustainability, which is the overarching intention of the SCEP. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Sector (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I am aware that there are concerns among some farmers about the recent changes to the ICBF beef index, particularly farmers participating in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP). While I am closely monitoring any impact of this change on SCEP farmers, I remain confident that the amended indices will improve beef farm profitability and sustainability which is the overarching...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: International Programmes (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I attended COP 28 for the Agricultural and Land focused days of the 9th and 10th December, my purpose was to engage on important topics in relation to sustainable food systems and innovation in agriculture, and their relevance for climate action. I welcome the link made by the UAE Presidency between climate policy and food as a key priority for this year’s COP. This is the first...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Sprat is a low value fishery that is often used to produce fish meal and sometimes for human consumption. I am advised that volumes destined for human consumption vary. Fish are a perishable food product on the one hand and harvested seasonally on the other. The destination of any fish product is highly dependent on the market situation at the time, which itself can be influenced by a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: It is important to clarify at the outset that my Department only permits animals to be transported in compliance with the EU's animal welfare legislation, which is amongst the most progressive legal frameworks in the world. Furthermore, Ireland has national rules to protect the welfare of livestock being exported to third countries on ships, which lay down controls that are more stringent...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Citizens' Assembly (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: All Government departments, including my own Department, are examining the Recommendations of the Citizen’s Assembly on Biodiversity Loss to consider the next steps and most appropriate actions to address this important issue. This particular recommendation requires collaborative assessment across Government to identify the impact of actioning it and how such a proposal could be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Teagasc Activities (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department has not carried out research regarding participation levels on Teagasc education courses that lead to trained farmer status. The current minimum qualification for ‘trained farmer status’ is a recognised Quality and Qualifications Ireland, Level 6 agricultural qualification or equivalent. Teagasc learners who complete the “Green Cert” can qualify...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: As the deputy is aware, and in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) was launched last year as a flagship environmental scheme under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027 with a budget of €1.5bn over its duration. It was fantastic and a credit to our farmers to see the exceptional demand for entry into the ACRES...