Results 3,801-3,820 of 23,948 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sports Funding (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund (the Fund) under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. The Fund is distributed in accordance with Section 12(6) of the Act, with 80% going to Horse Racing Ireland and 20% to Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ). The initial funding...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Ireland is one of the most food secure countries in the world. In fact, Ireland has come second of 113 countries assessed for food security, according to the latest Global Food Security Index. The issue of maintaining food production has been the subject of much discussion in the context of the Government's economy-wide target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030. My position...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I remain confident that the outlook for the Irish dairy Industry remains positive - the long-term fundamentals of the dairy sector are really strong. We produce safe, nutritious and sustainable dairy products that are in demand across the globe. The Irish dairy industry is one of our largest and most profitable industries. In 2022, Irish farmers produced over 8.8 billion litres of milk,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I am satisfied that the Irish beef sector is well positioned to balance future development with the need for reduced carbon emissions. Beef farm enterprises contribute significantly to the economic sustainability and social fabric of rural areas. Food Vision 2030, the overarching agri-food strategy, contains several actions to guide stakeholder efforts in the sustainable development of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I can assure the Deputy that my Department constantly monitors the needs of the fisheries sector. I will be meeting next with industry representatives on 19th July. Along with regularly meeting with representatives of the sector, holding formal consultations and attending public forums, we monitor developments in key economic indicators. My Department prepares and publishes an Annual Review...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The current geo-political environment and challenges presented by Brexit, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine have created uncertainty on the international markets that Irish agri-food exports depend. My Department closely monitors these developments on an ongoing basis and is supporting the sector in addressing these challenges. For example, the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I am very conscious of the important role that prime lamb production plays in the continued growth and development of our agri-food sector. For that reason, my Department provides significant support to the sector under the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), both through the Sheep Improvement Scheme and through the broad range of CSP schemes for which sheep farmers are eligible. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Mental Health Policy (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for this question on such an important topic. This Government has prioritised farm safety, health and wellbeing. In 2023, dedicated funding of €2.5m was allocated for a range of initiatives that included support to promote increased awareness of the importance of health and wellbeing among farmers. My Department, along with the HSE and the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: As Deputies may be aware the new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Programme which expired at the end of 2022. The new Programme will benefit farmers, rural communities and the overall climate and environment. Subject to State Aid approval from the European Commission and the completion of the ongoing Strategic Environmental...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Safety (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Farm safety is a major issue as farming continues to be the most dangerous occupation in terms of fatalities in the workplace. There has been an average of 19 fatal incidents per year on Irish farms over the last decade. Unfortunately, this year to date, there have been seven confirmed fatalities on farms. All of these fatalities are tragic losses to farm families, the community and the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a challenging disease to control and eradicate. I am acutely aware of the financial and emotional trauma associated with a TB breakdown. It causes significant hardship for farmers and farming families, and I am fully committed to the objectives of the Bovine TB Eradication Strategy which aims to reduce and ultimately eradicate this disease in Ireland. This battle...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Farming and the agri-food sector are hugely important to our economy and our society. According to the CSO's Labour Force Survey the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector employs over 101,000 people, representing 4% of total employment in the country, but a far greater proportion in rural and coastal areas. The produce of these farms, forestry and fishers directly generate a further 64,000...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The continued development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for the Government, given the pivotal role the industry plays in the national economic context. The sector supports approximately 8,000 jobs spanning production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services. I was acutely aware of the challenges pig farmers faced last year and I responded accordingly to provide them with...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: As in other meat sectors, global trade conditions will be crucial in determining the outlook for the Irish poultry sector over the medium to longer term. Poultrymeat, which is a food high in protein, has seen an increase in demand in recent years and the price has remained constant in 2023, averaging around €251.81 /100Kgs over the first five months of 2023, 10.5% higher than the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: In Ireland the right to private property is enshrined in the constitution. Farmers and landowners are subject to the relevant regulatory framework and are entitled to use their land as they wish. There are many demands on our land - to deliver on the environment, on biodiversity and indeed contributing to our energy security including the critical importance of food production in terms...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy will be aware, the welfare of animals is of particular importance for the future of Irish agriculture. This is especially so for young dairy calves. My Department carries out a range of risk-based welfare inspections on farm, at marts and during the transport of live animals. Marts must comply with EU and national animal welfare legislation to remain licenced. Compliance is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Climate Action Plan (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: As provided for in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act, the Government agreed sectoral emission ceilings for all sectors including agriculture which was set at 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The measures being deployed to enable the sector to comply with this target are specific to our national context in which pasture-based farm enterprises dominate...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I know the Deputy knows the history of it well. There is a very strong Government commitment to protecting the zero-to-six-mile zone for inshore fishers in particular. A decision was taken and a policy was implemented by the previous Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, who had a very strong commitment to this. Unfortunately -----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The court made a decision on a technical matter -----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: ----- and that had to be revisited. The court handed down its decision four months ago. We are considering it now. I plan to bring clarity as to how we move forward. As outlined on numerous occasions, it is my objective-----