Results 261-280 of 4,109 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Water Quality (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I absolutely recognise the great work happening in the agricultural catchment programme. The most recently published EPA data shows nitrates concentrations nationally have reduced in a representative sample of our rivers last year. It is acknowledged and welcomed that nitrate levels have also reduced in the Timoleague catchment. Nitrates levels recorded in 2024 in Timoleague were at their...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Water Quality (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I appreciate the Deputy's articulation of the concerns, the great work of his constituents and the frustration I know there is on the ground with this change. He talked about rewarding his constituents. The best reward I can get his constituents and the farmers in the Timoleague catchment area is to make sure there is a derogation beyond the end of this year, and that is not by any means...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Animal Diseases (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising a very important point, and he is not the only Deputy here this evening to raise points about bovine TB. It is a really challenging disease to control and eradicate. In recent years, bovine TB levels have continued to deteriorate here in Ireland. Herd incidence has increased from 4.31% in 2022 to 6.04% in 2024, resulting in a 36% increase in the number of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Animal Diseases (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I reassure the Deputy that everything that is possible is being considered and everything has been looked at. I have started an engagement with the farm organisations and key stakeholders since I was appointed in January, and since the February meeting of the TB forum I have been back and forth with them looking to get their feedback and submissions, having proposals that have come back...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Supports (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I thank both Deputies for their contributions. It is very important when we have questions on agriculture, food and the marine that CAP is at their heart because it really is so important to everything we are doing. To go to some earlier points about CAP and in particular, Deputy Kenny's, to have a longer CAP, a longer budget period would be needed because the budget drives the other. ...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Supports (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: No pressure there. Thanks for that. I jest. The Deputy is dead right that it is that serious.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Supports (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: It absolutely is. We know how well Irish agriculture has been served down through the years and through successive CAPS and the Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 structure. I have grave concerns around any attempt to change that. Not only do I have concerns for the impact on farming, which is why I will fight so hard to articulate the Irish position very clearly, but I also have concerns about the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Water Quality (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. I recently met farmers from Timoleague and I visited the area previously when I was a Member of the previous Government. I am well aware of the great work that has happened down there, supported by Teagasc and others, how passionate farmers are and the pressure there is on land availability and how any changes can have an impact. ...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I have been on the record a number of times on this but I am happy to reassure farmers again that there is nothing to fear in the baseline rationality around GAEC 2. Farmers can continue to do all of their normal farming activity on a day-to-day basis. That is not going to be undermined by this. It is just a baseline requirement for the basic income support process, or what farmers would...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Supports (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 114 together. As Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I am working closely with the EU institutions and my counterparts in other member states to try to influence the next Common Agriculture Policy. The CAP is central to the EU’s success in ensuring food security, supporting farm incomes and developing rural areas. The CAP also...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter, which is topical after last week's announcements. The proposals for CAP simplification were published on 14 May by Commissioner Hansen. I welcome any proposals that will simplify and reduce the administrative burden for farmers and for national administrations. However, as with any new legislation, we will need to carefully examine the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The collection of sheep wool from farmers is a commercial arrangement between the sheep farmer and merchant. My Department does not have a role in collecting wool but I am aware that the price of wool has been at a low level for some time now. My Department has taken a number of steps to support Irish wool and to develop new markets. This included an in-depth study of the Irish wool...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Usage (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the Nitrates Action Programme and the associated Regulations. However, my Department works very closely with his Department on the development of that Programme, and on the implementation of the Regulations. Indeed, given the importance of both improving water quality and securing Ireland’s Nitrates...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Industry (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: In terms of putting things in context, and as the Deputy will be aware, Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Government’s afforestation target is 8,000 hectares per year as set out in the Climate Action Plan. There are good reasons for this target as forests have an important role to play in mitigating climate change by sequestering and storing greenhouse gases. This can be achieved through the expansion of our forests and the increased use of timber products. Planting in recent years...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Tuna CHART programme is a catch-tag-release science-based angling fishery programme for authorised recreational angling vessels. It has been in place since 2019 and supports the collection of valuable data on the migratory patterns of Bluefin Tuna in Irish waters. This programme was developed by Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Marine Institute in partnership with the Sea Fisheries...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: Bovine TB is a challenging disease to control and eradicate. In recent years, bovine TB (bTB) levels have continued to deteriorate. Herd incidence has increased from 4.31% in 2022 to 6.04% in 2024, resulting in a 36% increase in the number of herds restricted between 2022 and 2024. This means over 6,000 farm families were affected by a TB outbreak in 2024. As of 11th May 2025,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Wild Fires (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: Given the recent spell of very fine weather, I share the concerns of residents and farmers about the risk of fires starting and spreading around the country. In particular, I understand the worry expressed by farmers and residents in Achill about the risk to flora, fauna and indeed homes and farms from the spread of these fires. I understand that a local action committee has already...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The implementation of the Bovine TB Eradication Strategy 2021-2030 is overseen by the Bovine TB (bTB) Stakeholders Forum along with support from three working groups – a Scientific Group, an Implementation Working Group and a Finance Group to ensure all aspects of the Strategy are addressed. The Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum and its working groups comprise of representatives from...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (20 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 143 together. The Programme for Government commits to review and update the National TB 2030 Eradication Strategy. This is necessary due to the deteriorating disease levels in recent years which means even more farm families are facing the emotional and financial pressure of a TB breakdown. Bovine TB is a challenging disease to control and...