Results 2,621-2,640 of 24,020 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Teagasc Activities (14 Dec 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: We absolutely have to do so. We have an opportunity in Origin Green, and we have put together a package which reflects what we do in Ireland and tells that story across the world. The fact we are pasture- and grass-based makes us unique compared with many other food-producing nations. It also has great advantages in animal welfare as well as the fact it is a very sustainable way of...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Smith for his question. On the dribble bar, that is something I will also be considering in the mix on the emissions aspect, but also there is the usability of it. Taking that into account is something I will be considering in the round. On the timelines, as the Deputy will know, we have a budget of €370 million over the period from this year to 2027. Tranche 1 of...

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

Charlie McConalogue: We are working to try to take every step possible. I am aware how important it is to both Greencastle fishermen regarding haddock and access within the 12-mile zone and to fishermen in the squid fishery. As I have said to the Deputy, the 2013 agreement has no bearing whatsoever on the status of Rockall. I stated earlier to the Deputy what the 2013 agreement did. I think he accepts this....

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

Charlie McConalogue: As then Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Smith put in massive investment through the then TAMS scheme which made a very substantial difference on farms. I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and for his continued pressing for this scheme and the successor scheme over recent months. The targeted agriculture modernisation scheme, TAMS, 3 provides grants to farmers to...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Smith. To follow on from what I was saying earlier, 100% of the 8,000 plus applications that applied in tranche 1 were approved. Anybody who applied was eligible for the grant. Yesterday, I made a decision on tranche 2. It has been open since the start of July. Anybody can apply between July and now. Up to a few days ago, we had almost 3,000 applications. I wanted to...

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...