Results 621-640 of 4,255 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Official Engagements (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: In response to the Deputy's question, I confirm that during 2024 my Department had the following engagements with the United States Government or State Bodies of the U.S. Government:January: Meeting between my officials and a delegation from the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).February: Meeting between my officials and the Agricultural Attaché from the U.S....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Climate Change Policy (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: I am fully committed to the long-term viability of the Irish agricultural sector, including to our farm families who are the bedrock of the industry. The industry is hugely important in terms of economic activity and employment. The target of 25% reduction in Green House Gas emission by 2030 for the agriculture sector is a challenging target and will require scientific and technological...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Breeding (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The microchipping of dogs by non-vets is legally provided for in the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015 which states that the implanting can be done by a veterinary practitioner, a veterinary nurse or a properly trained person whose name and contact information are published on the website of a dog identification database. Allowing properly trained persons to implant microchips in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Breeding (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: Concern for the safety and welfare of pet animals was one of the primary reasons behind the introduction by my Department of the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 681/2019). These Regulations put into law certain requirements for sellers and suppliers of pet animals, including the minimum age for the sale of certain mammals; record-keeping;...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Funding (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department administers a wide range of schemes and payments through National and EU funding. Full details are available are on my Department’s website: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/ collections/schemes-and-payments/ As regards the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: I can assure the Deputy that my Department has no such plans. Earlier this year, I announced the planned introduction of the GAEC 2 standard. GAEC 2 is a baseline requirement under the CAP regulations for the protection of carbon rich soils. It is legally required to be put in place for 2025 as part of the conditionality requirements for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS)...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: To ensure that farms are more resilient in advance of future weather events, I announced plans to introduce grant aid support under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) for replacement of roofs. The application process for this specific investment will be available later this year, when systems are developed. In the meantime, I would urge farmers to carry out a structural...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: There are currently just over 54,200 active participants in ACRES, which considerably exceeds the initial target number of 50,000 farmers, in respect of whom total funding of €1.5 billion has been allocated under Ireland’s 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) As regards a transitional successor to ACRES, any new intervention under the CSP would require additional national...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Industry (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Industry (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1700, 1701 and 1702 together. Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Industry (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department is responsible for the licencing of aquaculture in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended) and applicable national and EU legislation. My Department also supports the development of the Irish aquaculture sector under Ireland's €258 Seafood Development Programme, which is co-funded by the Irish government...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Industry (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department is responsible for the licencing of aquaculture in Irish waters. My Department also 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...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Legislative Process (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021 which is a Private Members Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the Dáil last November. When the Bill was proceeding through the Seanad my Department raised some concerns in relation to imposing a statutory ban on the importation of non-native honey bees as it could constitute a restriction on trade under EU Regulations. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Contracts (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: I wish to inform the Deputy that there are no contracts currently held by my Department with the company (details supplied).

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Communications (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department procured independent scientific research on the native Irish honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera). In October 2023, a 12 month contract was signed with the National University of Ireland, Galway to conduct this research. The research work concluded in December 2024 and the research report is currently being evaluated. This evaluation process is expected to conclude...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: Bovine Tuberculosis is a challenging disease to control and eradicate. I am acutely aware of the financial and emotional trauma associated with a TB breakdown, and the associated hardship for farming families. Left unchecked, this disease will impact many more farm families, and therefore it is essential that we take measures now that can reverse the current trends. In this context it is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Investigations (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: I am aware of the alleged illegal importation of sheep semen from England. I can confirm that my Department has conducted an investigation into the matter, and while the Department does not normally comment on outcome of individual investigations, I can assure the Deputy that any non-compliant activities were dealt with appropriately and necessary actions were taken to protect the health of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Breeding (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) currently has policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010. The Dog Breeding Establishments Act provides a regulatory framework for the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments by local authorities and, where a serious and immediate threat exists to public health or animal health and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Breeding (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: A high level stakeholder group was established by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) in 2024. The objective of the group is to consider the policy and legislative matters, specifically the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. The stakeholder group meets regularly and its remit includes considering the need for legislative change. This requires...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Breeding (29 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Control of Horses Act, 1996 was introduced to provide for the control of horses and to make provision for the licensing of horses in urban and other areas where horses cause a danger or nuisance to people or property. The Act is currently under review within my Department. All submissions received will feed into the legislative process. My Department provides funding to local...