Results 501-520 of 4,255 for speaker:Martin Heydon

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

Martin Heydon: My Department takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously and responds to any reports of alleged animal cruelty or legislative non-compliance. Neglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society. I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner. The welfare of equines is protected...

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

Martin Heydon: The table below details total payments to farmers by county for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Payments consist of direct and capital payments, including payments provided under Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS). - 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 County € Millions €...

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

Martin Heydon: This unfortunate situation arose following a private commercial transaction between two contracting parties to purchase a fishing vessel in the Netherlands in 2007. I am advised that the core issue here relates to the failure of the vessel purchased to pass a stability test in 2009, and the consequences arising from this failure. While I sympathise with the difficult situation this...

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

Martin Heydon: The family farm is the heart of agriculture in Ireland, and I am a strong supporter of assisting the next generation take over the farm when the time is right to do so. The new Programme for Government prioritises “supporting inter-generational farm succession”. Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the agri-food sector, states that generational renewal in farming is...

Common Agricultural Policy and Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan: Statements (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I am grateful to the Whip's office for making time in the Dáil schedule to discuss what is a really important topic, namely Ireland's national plan under the CAP. The CAP is one of the EU's longest-standing policies, firmly embedded in the Treaty of the European Union. The agrifood sector remains one of our most important indigenous industries, employing 169,000 people and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is the flagship environmental scheme provided under the 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plan, with €1.5 billion in Exchequer and EU funding allocated over the course of the scheme. Following the payment run of the 9th of May 2025, a total of just under €455.8 million has been paid to participants in respect of their participation in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: On 8th May, the UK Government and US Administration set out the general terms for a US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal. This does not constitute a legally binding agreement, rather it sets out the general terms for further negotiations which is intended to formalise the proposals outlined in last week’s announcement. As part of these general terms, the UK have agreed to remove a 20%...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 284 together. All investments under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) must meet the specifications set out in the terms and conditions of the Scheme. All generators are considered a fixed investment as they must be wired into the electrical system on the holding. Specification 106, which is published on my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tax Rebates (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Minister for Finance is responsible for tax policy and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners is responsible for the operation of the tax system and is independent in carrying out that function. They advise that the VAT treatment of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In accordance with the EU VAT Directive, farmers can elect whether to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Bodies (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department established An Rialálaí Agraibhia (the Agri-Food Regulator) on the 13 December 2023 under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023. An Rialálaí Agraibhia promotes fairness and transparency in the agri-food supply chain. The agency’s statutory remit and focus is on business to business relationships within the supply chain ensuring the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 to 289, inclusive, together. GAEC 2 is a mandatory condition of the payment of the Basic Income Support for Farmers (BISS). It is intended to protect peatlands and wetlands. The EU Regulation governing the CAP Strategic Plans requires all Member States to have a standard in place this year at the latest. The proposal submitted by my Department was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: The person named submitted an application under the ACRES Co-operation stream and was approved into Tranche 1 of the scheme, with a commencement date of 1st January 2023. I can confirm that all ACRES payments in respect of 2023 have been finalised for this participant. My Department has received a request to transfer this ACRES contract to a partnership. A dedicated team is working on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I note that a response issued from my Department on 23 February 2024 to the course provider in respect of his request for review initially submitted on 9 January 2024. A fresh review of the application of the penalties in respect to the ACRES training courses in question will be undertaken, and will include the further information provided, and the Department will contact the course...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 293 together. Following the latest payment run on 12 May 2025, 43,575 ACRES participants, or just over 97%, are fully paid in respect of the 2023 scheme year. This means that 1,241 participants have not yet had their 2023 contract finalised, of which 947 have already received an interim payment of either €4,000 or €5,000. It should be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: GAEC 2 is a mandatory condition of the payment of the Basic Income Support for Farmers (BISS). It is intended to protect peatlands and wetlands. The EU Regulation governing the CAP Strategic Plans requires all Member States to have a standard in place this year at the latest. The proposal was submitted by my Department and approved by the European Commission on 30th April 2025 and is now...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Foreshore Issues (15 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I can assure the Deputy that my response to his previous question was accurate. However, I can provide more detailed information in this response to further assist the Deputy. Kerry County Council is primarily responsible for the development and maintenance of Renard Pier. The relevant parent department for Kerry County Council is the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. ...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Schemes (14 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising these points. On providing more time, the deadline for BISS applications is clearly 15 May. If I were to push that deadline back or try to extend it in any way, it would have a knock-on impact on the whole system of getting payments in place. We had delays in payments previously and are back on track in terms of making sure we can get the areas of natural...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Schemes (14 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: No, the patch where they are cutting turf would never qualify for BISS anyway. The farmers will not be applying-----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Schemes (14 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: That is no problem.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Schemes (14 May 2025)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to provide an update on an important issue. The Deputy is right; there is a lot of concern among farmers around GAEC 2. I am happy to have the opportunity to reassure people that the concerns that are there are misplaced for a variety of reasons. I can give the background to GAEC 2. It is a mandatory condition for the payment of BISS. That is a...