Results 541-560 of 3,577 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Prices (11 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: I am supportive of initiatives that strengthen the position of farmers in the supply chain. There are ongoing discussions at EU level on proposed amendments to the CMO and UTP Regulations. At the most recent Agri Council meeting in Brussels, I supported Commissioner Hansen’s initiatives to further strengthen farmers’ position in the food supply chain, including by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Climate Change Policy (11 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: The agri-food sector is Ireland's largest indigenous exporting sector. Ireland itself 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. We also export produce to over 180 countries worldwide. The value of agri-food exports in 2024 is estimated to be €19 billion - an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Security (11 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: 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 available Global Food Security Index. The resilience of the Irish food supply chain was clearly demonstrated in recent years when dealing with the effects of Brexit, international lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic and various supply chain...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Costs (11 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department monitors information on farms and the wider agri-food sector, in collaboration with Teagasc and the Central Statistics Office (CSO), on an ongoing basis. Family farms have shown great resilience in recent years. Incomes have consistently increased over the last five years, with the exception of 2023 which was a challenging year. The current situation is much improved with...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (11 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Government provides significant supports for young farmers. The challenge of generational renewal is recognised both nationally and at EU level and this is reflected in the various supports that are available under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and through national measures. Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan includes supports such as the Complementary Income Support for Young...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (11 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: The European Single Market is based on the concept of a single set of rules applying to the production of food, so that food placed on the European Market, be that within a Member State, traded between Member States, imported into the European Union, or exported from the European Union, meets EU requirements to protect food safety, animal and plant health, and animal welfare standards, within...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (11 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: The EU has, in recent years, been involved in several FTA negotiations which, in some cases have concluded (such as the EU-New Zealand, EU-Japan, EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and EU-Republic of Korea agreements) and in other cases remain ongoing (such as the EU-Mercosur, EU-Chile and EU-Mexico agreements). In general, trade agreements are positive in their outcome...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Responsibilities (11 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Ministers of State appointed to my Department and their areas of responsibility are as follows:Mr. Noel Grealish, T.D. : Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development – Minister Grealish will attend Cabinet;Mr. Michael Healy-Rae, T.D. : Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Forestry, Horticulture and Farm...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (11 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 Working Together for Animal Welfare included a commitment to establish an Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare. The Council was established in 2021, with membership comprising representatives from Veterinary Ireland, UCD, the ISPCA, the DSPCA, the Dogs Trust, the Irish Blue Cross, the Irish Kennel Club and others. Members possess a diverse range...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Weather Events (11 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: Prolonged wet weather last Spring resulted in later than optimal sowing of spring beans. This resulted in later than normal ripening of the crop. However, favourable weather conditions during the Autumn period, and which extended into late November, provided growers with an opportunity to complete the harvesting of later ripening crops before Storm Darragh in early December. There is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grant Payments (11 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: The grants for projects funded under the Equine Technical Support (ETS) scheme by my Department in 2024 to the named organisation were as follows: Project Name Approved Paid Passport Tracking on AMS 2024 €3,400.00 €3,400.00 Ridden Judges Training & Final Assessment 2024 * ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Weather Events (11 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department is working as part of the co-ordinated Government response through the National Emergency Co-ordination Group, convened by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the lead Government Department on severe weather Incidents. Unprecedented damage has been done by Storm Éowyn. I am aware of significant damage to sheds and livestock housing. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Slaughtering (11 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: Applications to export 256 horses for slaughter were processed for 2024. Of these 175 horses were certified as valid for actual travel at the point of loading. These figures are taken from the TRACES system which is the EU online platform for animal health certification. The indicated method of transport was by road vehicle and onward transport by sea. It is not a requirement of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Industry (11 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department considers applications for aquaculture and foreshore licences in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 as amended, the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended) and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (11 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department’s current Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 offers landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types which cover a broad range of planting options. A 20% broadleaf species component is now also mandatory for all mixed forest types, including Sitka spruce, thus supporting increased biodiversity and habitat linkages. We offer a native forest planting scheme and also a small scale native...

Programme for Government: Statements (6 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: I too welcome Kevin and say céad míle fáilte. He is very welcome and I hope he will enjoy his visit. I also acknowledge Tony and his years of public service to the State, both here in the Oireachtas and in An Garda Síochána before that. Public service takes many different forms. We thank him very much for his contribution to the State and wish him and his family a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Schemes (6 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Deputy has raised a number of different issues. I have been over in the west of Ireland meeting a number of farmers affected by the storm. Many of the farmers we are discussing in terms of ACRES have been impacted by the storm in a range of ways. We stand ready to support them. Initially, we are getting their power and water back but I am conscious that this debate was about ACRES and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Schemes (6 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Conway-Walsh for raising a really important issue. I thank her for her good wishes at the start. This is a topic that is a real bugbear for farmers. If they are caught in this, the frustration is palpable. I will go through the detail on this in a minute. Before I do so, I want to respond to the Deputy's point about the frustration with the overall scheme, especially the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Infectious Diseases (6 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department has not received any reports regarding the issue referred to at Dublin Zoo in 2024.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Artificial Intelligence (6 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department has funded the following Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects in the past fiscal year: 2024 Funding:In respect of Cognitive Services, €2,888 was spent over the course of 2024, researching potential artificial intelligence benefits for my Department.Related Cloud Infrastructure, to support those services, totalled €2,805 in the same period. 2025 Funding: No new...