Results 541-560 of 755 for speaker:Pippa Hackett

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Forestry Sector (9 Dec 2021)

Pippa Hackett: With regard to the Deputy's last point, any land that is felled is replanted so it is not a net loss of area planted unless there are circumstances in which the land must not be planted, perhaps if it was planted in the wrong location originally. On the whole, the vast majority of lands that are felled are replanted. I accept and agree with the Deputy that a joined-up policy is needed...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Nov 2021)

Pippa Hackett: "Do not be despondent." So began a recent email to me from Mr. Fergal Monaghan, project manager of the Hen Harrier Project, which is supported by my Department. He was referring to this year's provisional breeding results of this protected bird, which were disappointing, to say the least. However, he went on to say that all of these things have ups and downs, good years and bad years, but...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Industry (24 Nov 2021)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Deputy. As I indicated in my original response, the topical issue submitted did not give the detail that would have allowed me to respond to the Deputy’s questions. Had he given it, perhaps I could have had a more wholesome reply for him. I take his point, however, on snails being classified as animals. Certainly, a gastropod is not the same as a mammal or a vertebrate...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Agriculture Industry (24 Nov 2021)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Deputy for raising this Topical Issue matter, and I convey the apologies of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, who cannot be here to respond. Snail farming, also known as heliciculture, is a niche market in Ireland, but one that has been growing in recent years, as the Deputy said. Climatic conditions in Ireland are suitable for year-round...

Forestry Sector: Motion (11 Nov 2021)

Pippa Hackett: If I have to be less calm, I can be but certainly, I wish to reassure all the Deputies that this is being taken highly seriously. As I said, since taking up this role this issue has been on my desk and has been spoken about in my Department every single day. Progress, despite what people might think, is being made. This time last year, the crisis on the table was a supply of timber into...

Forestry Sector: Motion (11 Nov 2021)

Pippa Hackett: -----and not just recently, that we only ever plant about 40% of what we have licensed. That is an issue because the resources used to generate and issue those licences are essentially going to waste. I encourage forestry companies to get in touch with their clients to try to encourage them to plant those trees because we need them planted in the ground. Deputy Carthy referred to the...

Forestry Sector: Motion (11 Nov 2021)

Pippa Hackett: -----in order that we can plant native trees. Deputy O’Connor stated he was here to represent and push for the commercial sector and I admit that small areas are not necessarily going to be commercial. They can, however, be accounted for in our carbon inventory and are good for biodiversity, water quality and so forth. That is important. Deputy Boyd Barrett highlighted quite clearly...

Forestry Sector: Motion (11 Nov 2021)

Pippa Hackett: I will share four minutes with Deputy O'Connor. As Members will be aware, the issues impacting the forestry sector have been a priority of mine since taking on this brief. I welcome the interest and engagement from the members of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the other Deputies in the Chamber. The committee's report of March 2021 on issues impacting the...

Forestry Sector: Motion (11 Nov 2021)

Pippa Hackett: Am I sharing time?

Seanad: Forestry Licensing: Statements (11 Nov 2021)

Pippa Hackett: It is good to be here. I thank the Seanad for the invitation to update Members on the latest developments on forestry policy and licensing. I have come here directly from COP26, having returned last night. Clearly, as we all know, the discussions there on climate change and the need to move to carbon neutrality are thought-provoking and resonate very strongly with me and, I am sure, with...

Seanad: Forestry Licensing: Statements (11 Nov 2021)

Pippa Hackett: I thank all of the Senators for their valuable input because they reflect the views not only of their constituents but also of the people who approach them, write to them and contact them on this issue. Therefore, it is important to discuss the licensing system from my perspective, from the perspective of my Department and from the perspective of the public. Senator Garvey and a number of...

Seanad: Forestry Licensing: Statements (11 Nov 2021)

Pippa Hackett: I am just about finished anyway. We have committed to implementing the Mackinnon report and that is the basis of why Project Woodland was set up. The work is ongoing, but it is not as quick as people would like. I think Senator Ahearn asked about timelines in this regard.

Seanad: Forestry Licensing: Statements (11 Nov 2021)

Pippa Hackett: Everybody wants to know that. I also want to know how long everything is going to take. However, we are making progress. It takes, on average, about 11 months to deal with a licence application submitted now. That does not include those who have been waiting long term for licences. I ask those who have licences and who are waiting to keep in touch with my Department. I ask those people...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Wind Energy Generation (21 Oct 2021)

Pippa Hackett: I thank Senator Kyne for the opportunity to speak on this matter. The Department owns, operates and maintains, under statute, six designated State-owned fishery harbour centres. These are located at Ros an Mhíl, Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth and Killybegs. As the Senator stated, the Minister visited Ros an Mhíl fishery harbour centre last week and had the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Wind Energy Generation (21 Oct 2021)

Pippa Hackett: The cross-departmental nature of this project requires that there be cohesion between Departments in how we address it. Clearly, offshore wind generation is a priority for our country in meeting our renewable and decarbonisation targets. That must be kept front and centre in all decisions that are made. I am not aware of the specific details of the project but I will engage with the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Organic Farming (21 Oct 2021)

Pippa Hackett: I am delighted to have secured the significant increase in the budget for organic farming in 2022. Funding for the organic farming scheme was increased to €21 million, up from €16 million last year, and €2 million was allocated for further organic sector development measures. This increase is welcome and will certainly address the growing demand from both farmers and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Organic Farming (21 Oct 2021)

Pippa Hackett: I have engaged closely with Bord Bia and Teagasc. It is my priority to direct those agencies to increase what they do for organics with regards to Teagasc's research and advisory role and Bord Bia's marketing of organic produce, including domestic marketing, which is important. This relates to the previous comments on market opportunities, particularly for livestock farmers. I know organic...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Horticulture Sector (21 Oct 2021)

Pippa Hackett: The horticulture sector has been largely ignored over the decades in terms of support. That has increased more recently and it is something we have to build on. There is a role for horticulture, particularly now with the need to shorten supply chains. There is a huge import substitution piece that we are not embracing yet, and there is certainly an intent to do that. In budget 2022,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Horticulture Sector (21 Oct 2021)

Pippa Hackett: The labour issue is going to continue to be a problem, and I ask myself where it will end. We are spiralling towards a race to the bottom and we have to get off that track. That is in supporting local food producers. Many wonderful local food producers operate off a handful of acres, maybe employing five or six people supplying a small town with quite a significant number of horticultural...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Organic Farming (21 Oct 2021)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Deputy. He is absolutely right. We do need to bring in large number of farmers because this will create a critical mass and allow for significant engagement, knowledge transfer and peer-to-peer work. I certainly concur with that. With regard to the current design of the scheme, the average farm size in the scheme across the board is in the region of 40 ha. They are...