Results 4,641-4,660 of 23,948 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Promotion (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I can assure the Deputy that Ireland is among the most food secure countries in the world and ranks second of 113 countries assessed for food security, according to the latest Global Food Security Index released last September.  The Irish agrifood sector is globally orientated, with approximately 90% of Irish beef, sheepmeat and dairy produce exported each year. Currently Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Promotion (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy is aware, a key element of Food Vision 2030, the agrifood sector's ten-year strategic development plan, is to grow, promote and diversify our agrifood export profile abroad. Food Vision identifies a number of actions targeted at realising this growth ambition, including market diversification and market promotion activities. These include my Department working with industry...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department operates a robust system of official controls so that Irish beef and dairy output can compete successfully nationally and internationally. Food security, food safety and nutrition are central to Food Vision 2030, the overarching strategy for the future development of the Irish agrifood sector. With regard to food safety and hygiene controls, the role of my Department is to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine conducts checks on food products of animal origin and certain categories of foods of non-animal origin, imported into Ireland from non-EU countries. These checks are carried out at dedicated facilities called border control posts. There are four designated border control posts in Ireland; Dublin Airport, Dublin Port, Rosslare Port and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: CSO figures set out in the table below indicate totals of beef and dairy exports from Ireland in the past three years in terms of volume and value. It also shows the percentage value of dairy and beef exports relative to total agrifood exports. 2020 2020 2021 2021 2022 2022 € 000 Tonnes ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Bovine tuberculosis (TB), caused by infection with Mycobacterium bovis, is a persistent problem in cattle herds in Ireland. The epidemiology of TB is complex and challenging. I am committed to making real progress in eradicating TB because I am acutely aware of the emotional and financial pain associated with a TB breakdown. There are three main sources of infection for cattle - the purchase...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horticulture Sector (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department, in conjunction with the Departments of Environment, Climate and Communications and Housing, Local Government and Heritage has developed a series of actions to support the horticulture sector as it transitions to sustainable alternatives. These targeted actions reflect the multifaceted nature of the problem and seek to address the short-term issue of supply, the medium...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Issues (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: All soils in Ireland are at risk of compaction and trafficability problems. Wet, poorly-drained soils can present problems for much of the year, but even free-draining soils will be prone to compaction and trafficability challenges during wet periods. Once soils are wet, they are structurally weak and this can result in a compacted structure. My Department does not have a mechanism for...

Seanad: Sheep Sector: Statements (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Members for this opportunity to discuss this important issue today. It is something that has been raised on the floor of this House by colleagues from all sides. I welcome the representatives of farming organisations who are present in the Visitors Gallery. We all recognise the challenges faced by our sheep farmers over the past winter. I have spoken previously about the...

Seanad: Sheep Sector: Statements (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Acting Chairperson, Senator Cassells, and the many Senators who contributed to the discussion today including Senators Paul Daly, Boyhan, Lombard, Pauline O'Reilly, Boylan, McGreehan, Doherty, Murphy, Kyne and Ahearn. Many contributions showed a strong commitment to the sheep sector and many good suggestions were made. One of the lessons I will be taking away is that the next...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The new ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Forestry Programme of 2014-2020 (extended to 2022) which expired at the end of 2022. The Native Tree Area Scheme will be included in the new Programme. This scheme will allow farmers to apply for areas up to one hectare without the requirement for a forestry licence. As such it will an opportunity...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Hydrogen has the potential to support decarbonisation across several sectors, including heavy goods transport, high-temperature heat for industry, and electricity generation. It is at the very earliest stage of development and is at proof of concept stage of development in terms tractors and other heavy agricultural equipment. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Renewable Energy Generation (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The main support for farmers provided by my Department wishing to invest in renewable energy is the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment scheme. This launched on 22nd February 2023 and is proving to be a hugely successful scheme. The new TAMS is closely aligned to our climate and sustainability needs through continued and enhanced support for renewable energy. To help encourage on-farm...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Each year, my Department provides funding to animal welfare charities across Ireland. In December 2022, I announced the provision of €5.8m to 99 animal welfare charities, a record amount which thereby exceeded the Programme for Government commitment to double the funding allocated to animal welfare charities. Many of these charities carry out trap, neuter and return programmes for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grant Payments (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The person named has been paid in full for their participation in REAP. Their final payment was made in December 2022.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Equality Issues (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Census of Agriculture completed in 2020 reported that approximately 13% of farm holders in Ireland were female. I am very pleased that, for the first time, Ireland’s new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) includes a number of specific measures aimed at increasing the participation of women in farming. It will deliver some €10 billion to farm families over the next five years,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine recently secured funding of €1.3 billion for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027. Subject to State Aid approval, this will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme to date in Ireland. I am pleased to say that we have commenced our formal submission for State Aid approval and I expect that it will be fully lodged by the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Third Level Education (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy will be aware that it is my colleague Minister Harris and his Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science that has responsibility for the higher education sector and that Department may have the more definitive data on the matter. I understand from recent data circulated from University College Dublin, which is the sole provider of education of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (18 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I understand that this relates to the sale of private property located at Strawhall, Athy Road, Carlow Town, which is currently afforested.  My Department has no plans to purchase this property.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (18 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: In order to fully realise the ambition set out in the new Forest Strategy and Forestry Programme, we need a well functioning forestry licensing system.  The issuing of licences, depending on the complexity, requires input from a range of Department staff including Forestry Inspectors, Ecologists, Archaeologists, Engineers and Administrative staff. The input required will depend on the...