Results 6,701-6,720 of 23,948 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fur Farming (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I accept it is a programme for Government commitment. It has also been a strong commitment of the Deputy and the Green Party. We will bring the matter to a conclusion as soon as possible.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy. As part of the climate action plan process, I am in regular contact with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with regard to establishing pathways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture and land use sector. Measures to reduce emissions from our organic soils form part of the sectoral commitment and a target of 80,000 ha for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy's point is well made. It is important that we have balance in the steps we are taking. We must bring down our emissions and reduce our carbon footprint because we have to deal with the climate challenges. Alongside that, we must ensure food security because there are challenges in respect of food production. Food is becoming more difficult to produce in many parts of the world,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Environmental Impact Assessments (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: There are measures in the new ACRE scheme for encouraging and rewarding the improvement of existing hedges and how they are managed, and keeping them at a higher height to encourage wildlife and bird life, in particular, to use them. There has been a whole step change in farmers' understanding of hedges and what they contribute. That is really important. Certainly, it is a long time since...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Industry (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: As I am sure the Deputy will agree, the people of Ireland have shown great support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people following the illegal invasion by Russia. The Government remains resolute in its solidarity and support and will continue to co-ordinate a humanitarian, economic and diplomatic response to the crisis. Significant implications are being seen across all sectors, including...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Industry (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Our assessment is that there are sufficient supplies of animal feed at present and importers are actively competing on the global market to ensure supply continues uninterrupted. However, prices are high. I meet with stakeholders on an ongoing basis to discuss the impact of the crisis on supply chains. As the Deputy knows, I established a rapid response team in my Department, along with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Industry (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Regarding energy and solar panel supports under TAMS, there is a requirement and conditionality where we are using EU funding that any energy produced be for on-farm use as opposed to export onto the grid. We are establishing a separate funding stream for energy production to the grid to ensure there is no impact on other TAMS applications. This scheme will allow for battery storage...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Environmental Impact Assessments (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The EIA agriculture regulations cover three different types of on-farm activities, including the restructuring of rural landholdings, which relates to the removal of hedgerows. The thresholds for proposed hedgerow removal where screening applications are required under the regulations are any length of field boundary above 500 m proposed to be removed or any proposed removal of field...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Environmental Impact Assessments (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I take the Deputy's point that the thresholds are high. Across our agricultural policy and under the new CAP strategic plan, the whole thrust of what we are doing is about trying to increase the number of hedgerows on farms and incentivise and recognise their good maintenance and protection. Therefore, the various schemes, including CAP, the eco-schemes and the environmental schemes, are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for raising this important topic and I acknowledge his ongoing interest in the area. To help encourage on-farm renewable technology uptake and usage, grant aid is provided through TAMS to assist farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms. TAMS grant...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The Atypical Working Scheme for non-EEA fishers is administered by the Department of Justice with support at the application stage by my Department in the form of a central depository. No changes to the operation of this existing scheme are proposed. What has recently been recommended to and approved by Government is that the fishing industry should apply to the Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy may be aware, I received Government approval in early October for Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023 to 2027. The Plan will support and improve the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the agriculture sector, for the benefit of farm families and rural communities. The Plan has an indicative budget of €9.8 billion. There is a strong...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for raising this important topic. The next decade is going to be the most exciting in the space on on-farm energy generation. As part of the 13% increase in funding for agriculture announced as part of Budget 2023, I committed to allocating €3 million for each of the next four years, a total of €12 million, to kick-start a farm-based Anaerobic Digestion...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy may be aware, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) regulates trade in and transport of live animals. DAFM does this on the principle that no one shall transport animals, or cause animals be transported, in a way likely to cause injury or undue suffering to those animals. This Government supports the lawful export of live animals as it is an important...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I am acutely aware of the stress for the farmer that comes from a TB breakdown especially in breeding herds where herdowners may have spent many years building up their herd through careful and selective breeding. The bloodlines pedigree farmers have developed over many generations has taken skill, determination and attention to detail. Making significant progress in reducing TB...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for this question on such an important topic. I congratulate UCD and the HSE on their research. The research reveals the extent to which farmers on the island of Ireland are experiencing a range of challenges and stressors that are negatively impacting their mental health and highlights the importance of mental health initiatives and suicide awareness for members of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy may be aware, one of the commitments of the current Programme for Government was to conduct a review of the potential demand for wool-based products such as for insulation and fertilisers in domestic and international markets. Despite its versatility in many industries, wool prices remain low, so in order to address this issue and seek a more favourable outlook for the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Security (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The current crisis is challenging established assumptions on food security. Now, more than ever, having countries like Ireland producing safe, sustainable and nutritious food is needed. Ireland is among the most food secure countries in the world. In fact, according to the Global Food Security Index for 2022, Ireland placed second. Ireland is part of the EU single market and participates in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy may be aware, TAMS is an On-Farm Investment Scheme which is co-funded by the EU. TAMS has proven to be a hugely successful and popular scheme. It has driven farmyard impovements in every county of the country. Under the current EU regulations and under the new CAP Strategic Plan, it is not permitted for excess energy generated by grant-aided investments to be sold to the grid....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (25 Oct 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: It is important to highlight to the House the considerable work that has been undertaken this year in developing a vision for a new future for forestry in Ireland. I am referring to the recently published Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050which was informed by a series of extensive engagements and consultation. The Vision has informed a new Forestry...