Results 6,361-6,380 of 23,948 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Correspondence (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Officials in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is in receipt of the email in question. Since significant sums of taxpayers' money are involved and to ensure good governance and a level playing field for all animal welfare organisations seeking public funding, all applications for financial support are administered through the annual programme, where the same rigorous...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Correspondence (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The issues addressed to the Charities Regulator in the correspondence were responded to by that body in February 2022. It is for that body to decide as to whether discussions with the ISPCA are warranted. A number of the issues outlined in the correspondence by the individual were previously raised with my Department in 2021. These matters were examined by my Department at that time....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Programmes (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The Wildlife Programme forms an integral part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's (DAFM) Bovine TB Eradication Strategy.  Supported by scientific research, the current policy is to vaccinate badgers to prevent disease outbreaks and to cull badgers where necessary in response to outbreaks in areas where epidemiological investigations have demonstrated the link between...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Animal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and the Government. We provide considerable funding is provided to support animal welfare charity organisations. In December 2021, I awarded record funding of €3.7 million to 98 animal welfare charities throughout the country, through the Animal Welfare Grant Programme. This is evidence of my own and the Government’s...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I am acutely aware of the afforestation target of 8,000 hectares per year as set out in the Climate Action Plan and the fact that afforestation rates have been declining in recent years.  To address this ongoing need, the Department has recently published a Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050 which was informed by a series of extensive...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The present EMFF Producer Organisation Scheme provides supports to recognised and prospective Producer Organisations. Part A of the scheme provides supports of up to €55,000 to groups of fisheries or aquaculture producers working to achieve recognition as a PO, while Part B of the scheme supports POs that have been recognised by this Department, up to a maximum of almost...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I can inform the Deputy that a number of fisheries, including scallop, which involve the use of sea-bed impacting gear such as dredges, are regulated under the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006 and in the case of Special Areas of Conservation and other protected Natura 2000 sites, the European Union (Birds and Natural Habitats) (Sea-fisheries) Regulations, 2013. A series of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Foreshore Issues (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The detailed information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in full within the timescale. Provision of the information sought will require an extensive examination of the Department’s records. The information requested will be forwarded to the Deputy within 14 days.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Calafoirt agus Céanna (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Bronnadh an cead pleanála reatha don ché dhomhainmhara i Ros an Mhíl i mí Aibreáin 2018. Maireann cead pleanála ar feadh 5 bliana de ghnáth. Tá roinnt forálacha reachtacha ann, áfach, lena ndéantar foráil do shíntí, go háirithe i gcúinsí ina bhfuil móroibreacha críochnaithe. Tá mo Roinn ag...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the committee for facilitating this discussion and engagement this evening. Annual funding to the horse and greyhound fund is important to both the thoroughbred and greyhound sectors. It is important expenditure from the State in support of both sectors. It is good to have an opportunity every year to appear before the committee to answer questions and elaborate on matters...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: It is very much part of it at the moment. As I mentioned, 10% of the funding for Rásaíocht Con Éireann is for welfare and integrity measures and it is taking specific steps that are achieving significant progress. The RCÉTS started last year. It is being implemented and will be stepped out into phase 2 next year. The rehoming programme for greyhounds is also important....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Building on the work, there was significant investment in phase 1 of the traceability system and we are keen to ensure progress continues. I have an open mind on it. We must ensure welfare and integrity are central. That is why 10% has been ring-fenced in the past few years. That is why we will continue to do that. The key is to ensure the necessary funding is available for welfare and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I will give figures on the thoroughbred side as well. Some 20% of the funding allocation to Horse Racing Ireland, HRI, must be applied to integrity services. There is ongoing engagement throughout the year. The Department has a strong oversight function with regard to how this funding is spent and to engagement with HRI and RCÉ. With respect to how the funding is spent and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I agree.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: No, I have not. It has been established since 2001, when the Act was put in place, and both organisations have ongoing funding requirements every year. There have been small increases year on year over the period. It is important that there is certainty for both industries. On how the annual figure for the funding is arrived at, both HRI and RCÉ make pre-budget submissions. We...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Is that something Deputy Carthy would propose or would he propose a different percentage split? What are his thoughts on the matter?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Provision for the 80-20 split is in the Act. A legal change is possible and we could change the legislation to do that. It is important to have a level of certainty there for both organisations as to their funding on a year-to-year basis. We have worked to ensure that there are incremental improvements. It is also important for both organisations that they leverage what is happening in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: As I say, we would-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: No. We oversee and engage with the organisations on an ongoing basis. The objective is to ensure that both are maximising their capacity to grow and to generate employment and economic activity. There are two sides to the coin. In the context of the 80-20 split, trying to support both organisations and give them certainty is important. There would be significant uncertainty if the other...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Both organisations have to plan long term. We try to ensure that they both have strategic plans and then we work with them to fund those. Certainty in respect of what is coming down the track, in as much as there can be on the basis of the economic situation and Government finances year to year, has value.