Results 561-580 of 3,577 for speaker:Martin Heydon

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

Martin Heydon: Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and, as such, its day-to-day operations, such as the payment of external legal fees, are entirely a matter for the company. I have accordingly asked Coillte to respond directly to the Deputy on the matters raised.

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

Martin Heydon: It is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the required time. The information is currently being compiled and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

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

Martin Heydon: Current legislation in Ireland does not allow for the growing of hemp unless a specific license has been granted by the Health Products Regulatory Authority which operates under the auspices of the Department of Health. In addition, the cultivation of hemp is restricted to varieties having less than 0.3% content of tetrahydrocannabinol. Cannabis (which includes hemp) is listed in...

Government’s Response to Storm Éowyn: Statements (Resumed) (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: At this first opportunity since my elevation to the Cabinet, I thank everyone in the House for their good wishes. I look forward to working with everybody on all sides of both Houses of the Oireachtas to deliver for our crucial agriculture, marine, food and drink sector, which is so important to our overall economy. The agriculture sector has been significantly impacted by Storm...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Data (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: I recognise the importance of Irish nationals on the staff of EU Institutions, and my Department is supportive of encouraging its staff in seeking opportunities which will improve Ireland’s representation among EU staff. In this context my Department seconded National Experts to Directorates General across the EU Commission. There are 8 people in such positions at present. In...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Insurance Coverage (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 853, 870 and 885 together. 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. The National Emergency Coordination Group continues to coordinate the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Environmental Policy (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department recognises that wind events, such as the recent storms Darragh and Éowyn, can cause varying degrees of damage around the country, including damage to trees. In response to storms Darragh and Éowyn a Taskforce to ensure that storm-damaged forests are managed safely and appropriately has been established. The Taskforce comprises stakeholders representing forest...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Water Quality (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department supports the development of the Irish aquaculture sector under Ireland's Seafood Development Programme, which is co-funded by the Irish government and the EU Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). In 2024 a scheme providing grant-aid to aquaculture operators for capital investment measures was opened, which builds on the capital...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: Last October, an independent Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established. Farm succession is a complex area and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions. The Commission is adopting an objective, evidence-based approach to examining all the factors involved and is engaging closely with stakeholders. It will issue a report on options for the future, which...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: Last October, an independent Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established. Farm succession is a complex area and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions. The Commission is adopting an objective, evidence-based approach to examining all the factors involved and is engaging closely with stakeholders. It will issue a report on options for the future, which...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Flood Relief Schemes (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: The 2023 Flood Damage Relief Measure was implemented in response to damage to agricultural areas in the Cooley Peninsula, between 29th October – 4th November 2023. The damage was the culmination of back-to-back storms occurring during late October 2023, resulting in additional heavy rainfall on already saturated ground and exceptionally high river levels. Inspections of areas...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: The person named was accepted into Tranche 1 of the General stream of ACRES, and received payments totalling €4,882.05 in respect of the 2023 scheme year. My Department has been in regular contact with the herdowner in relation to outstanding payments for the Wild Bird Food action on this contract. This action was not paid as the applicant initially had a zero claimed area on the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: Under the €258m European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027, co-funded by the Irish Government and the EU. Aquaculture operators may access support under a number of schemes, such as the Seafood Training Scheme, the Sustainable Aquaculture Scheme, and the Seafood Capacity Building Scheme. These schemes are all administered on my behalf by Bord Iascaigh...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: As the Deputy may be aware, Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and, as such, its day-to-day operations are entirely a matter for the company. I have accordingly asked Coillte to respond directly to the Deputy on the matters raised.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: There are 32 herdowners in Kerry currently awaiting GLAS payments and 1,085 Kerry herdowners awaiting ACRES payments. An ACRES payment run issued last week and a GLAS payment run is scheduled to issue this week. Further payment runs for both schemes will continue to issue as cases pass all required validation checks. I can assure you that everything is being done to pay, as soon as...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: The welfare of equines is protected by legislation and appropriate enforcement action is undertaken by my Department and authorised officers under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including An Garda Síochána, Customs agents, authorised officers appointed by local authorities, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and the Dublin Society for the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Development Contributions (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: As the Deputy may be aware, Portmagee Pier is owned by Kerry County Council and, as such, responsibility for its development and maintenance rests with that local authority in the first instance, and with its parent department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, thereafter. That said, my Department has provided funding of over €4.4 million to Kerry County...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: The following tables present the number of participants awaiting their ACRES 2023 balancing payments or their 2024 advance payments. All herds recorded as awaiting a payment for their 2023 balancing payment have been included in the table awaiting an advance payment for 2024. It is also worth noting that almost all of those awaiting 2023 Scheme Year balancing payments have already received...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Industry (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) announced in April 2024 that it had updated its Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Practitioners to prohibit veterinarians from carrying out surgical artificial insemination in dogs due to ethical and welfare considerations. However, this new prohibition does not apply to greyhounds, as the practice is provided for in legislation under the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Weather Events (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: Storm Éowyn has resulted in unprecedented damage to homes, farms and businesses across the country. I am aware of reports of significant levels of damage across the Irish horticulture sector. My officials are engaging with Teagasc and other stakeholders to assess the extent and significance of the damage across the sector. It may be a number of weeks before the full extent of the...