Results 5,461-5,480 of 24,195 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: There are about 250 agricultural inspectors in that sphere.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: We can-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: There are about 250 people in the space. In terms of climate scientists, I do not have the exact figure to hand but I can get it for Deputy Cronin. The Deputy said the Government's approach is to keep calm and carry on. We will certainly keep calm but we will get on with the work, contrary to the Sinn Féin approach, which is very much keep the head down and hope nobody notices. If...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: At least the Deputy is finding-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: If Senator Boylan gives it she has to be able to take it.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: It is fair to draw a contrast. Deputy Cronin referred to holding two positions at the one time, and that is a fair reflection.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: And on another committee, a different position.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: On this being a food island, we export 90% of what we produce. We have tremendous industries here and sectors in relation to lamb, beef and dairy production. We are very strong, but need to get stronger, in domestic tillage production. We cover a lot of our own pig requirements as well. Particularly in the horticulture and fruit sector, we have a real opportunity to produce more of our...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: For example, if you take the new agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, we have significant measures included there, along the lines of riparian zones, where they are left alone to act as riparian zones, and also to act as a space for nature within that. Across the board, we have a range of measures, which are about incorporating space for nature, and space for improving and...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: What we want to do is to provide a suite of options, which are comprehensive and address different needs. If the Deputy looks at the agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, and the various measures in place there, whether it is a riparian zone, low-input, permanent pasture, which is scored now and results-based or tree and hedge planting, there is a whole range of options in place...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: We are carrying out ongoing recruitment to meet our needs. It is a big priority for the Department to make sure we are operating at full capacity in this space. On the various professions needed for that, we are recruiting ecologists, as one example. On the forestry programme, there is very significant and ongoing recruitment there, and likewise, where it is needed across the Department too.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Whitmore. From 1 March to 1 September, burning is illegal. Outside of that window, it is possible to apply and get a permit for it. I will continue to assess all advice on this. Where controlled burning is taking place, there has to be an application to the local authority, and full engagement and co-operation. It has to be approved. The balance to be struck then is in...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: I procured a report, which was published, on alternatives to burning. We have to look at all options, and ensure we are adopting the most appropriate one.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: I do not know. I can come back to the Deputy with an answer.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: The deduction in eligibility for agricultural payments stems from the fact that it is not agricultural land, and it is not able to be farmed if it has been burned. That is the reason it is deducted from the payments. The actual fines outside of that and the prosecution, if it was burned outside of when it was permitted and without licence, is a separate system. European payments, to be...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: There are different criteria relating to basic agricultural condition and good agricultural condition. It is focused on whether it is farming land or not. For example, if it is not being farmed, there is no evidence of that or it is not suitable for that, there is no farm payment for it.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: I thank Senator Higgins. She made the point about tillage. One of our key objectives is to improve and increase the area under tillage nationally. That makes a lot of sense.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: I have been engaging with farm representative organisations about how we can work together on that. I am considering it because there is great potential. We thankfully made good progress last year and we want to continue to support it. We discussed the infant formula previously. The key overall point, regardless of which product we are talking about, is the pre-eminence of the Irish...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: That is a broader policy question. Meat proteins and milk proteins are important parts of the human diet for good nutrition and will continue to be so. Looking at how we produce that and the expertise and natural capacity we have, we are world-leading with regard to the sustainability and quality of the product. That is why it is so sought after. We should continue to do that because it...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Climate Action Plan 2023: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2 Mar 2023)
Charlie McConalogue: That is a broader policy question.