Results 661-680 of 24,015 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: Agriculture Industry (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this matter. It is something that a number of people have raised with me over the past couple of weeks. Unfortunately, and for very good reason, it is not something I intend or am in a position to do. Our collective priority has to be in terms of making sure that we improve water quality and, in particular, that we retain our nitrates derogation. The...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: Agriculture Industry (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: It is always the case. There should be exceptional circumstances, and they would have to engage and explain those circumstances from an animal welfare point of view. There is a long slurry-spreading season from early spring until 1 October. The use of chemical fertilisers finishes in mid-September. As I say, grass does not grow in mid- or late October and November in the same the way...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: Agriculture Industry (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: It is animal welfare considerations that we are talking about at this stage. Every year, from the start of the year onwards, there is a time to spread slurry and, as much as possible, to use it between grazing intervals as well. Certainly, nobody should have full tanks. Especially in the context of the year that is in it, nobody should have full tanks at this point. If they do, they...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: Departmental Bodies (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy. This is something that has to be at the core of all of our attention in the time ahead. We are blessed to have a wonderful food-producing country, to have a landscape and a climate that facilitate this and, indeed, to have a farming community which has the skill set and the passion to be able to ensure that the sector is as strong as it can be. However, in order for the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Kenny very much. I wish him well and congratulate him on being appointed as Opposition spokesperson on agriculture, food and the marine. I look forward to working with him. We both worked on the same side of the House previously. He has extensive experience and an understanding of the sector. I acknowledge the significant contribution made by Deputy Kerrane as Opposition...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: Everybody is working towards the objective of achieving 95% of balancing payments being paid by the end of this month.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: I know what it is like to have delayed payments and to wait for payments to arrive because I grew up on a family farm where our income was based on the activity relating to the farm. That is why I have given such attention to making sure there are no issues with payments. Farmers had certainty last year as to what the dates would be. We gave the dates last March and we adhered to all of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: In terms of those who have applied for NPIs, we expect them to be approved by the end of this year, so that farmers can do the work next year. The scheme has reopened for new NPIs. We expect those to be processed in a timely fashion now that the scheme is up and running.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: That is one of the challenges of a results-based scheme. I want to give farmers as much certainty as I possibly can in terms of the schemes I put in place. For example, with the suckler and calf schemes, I gave farmers a very clear task to carry out in order to get paid, whether it be weighing, clipping or dipping. We give as much certainty as we can. The environmental scheme must be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: The score relates to the first year.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh – Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: As much as possible, I want it to be a positive experience. I am assessing the situation. I am open to all ideas as to how we can make sure ACRES works to the best extent possible for everyone.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Mental Health Policy (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: This Government has prioritised farm safety, health and wellbeing. While primary responsibility for mental health lies with the Department of Health including the establishment of a farmers’ mental health strategy, I ensured that dedicated funding of €2.5m was allocated in Budget 2024 for a range of initiatives This includes supports to promote increased awareness of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: At the outset, I would like to point out that in discussing the funding of the Common Agricultural Policy, we should bear in mind that this funding forms part of a broader EU budget which is negotiated by Finance Ministers and then agreed by Heads of State and Government at the European Council. The European Commission is due to set out proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: I am providing a range of supports to the Irish mushroom sector, an industry that makes a significant contribution to the Irish economy. The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector provides grant aid towards capital investments in specialised plant and equipment including renewable energy, as well as technology adoption specific to commercial...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Usage (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: As my colleague, the Minster for Finance has said, this revenue will not impact on the parameters for Budget 2025 which were already set out in the Summer Economic Statement, published by the government in July. I will not comment further regarding Budget 2025, however when we speak about retaining the nitrates derogation that is about short and longer term actions to improve water...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: 2024 has been a challenging year for farmers, with weather having a major impact on many farms throughout the country. A very late and wet spring posed challenges for both livestock and tillage farmers. Recent Met Éireann data has shown the Northwest of the country has had above average rainfall this summer, and when combined with the relatively cool temperatures it has had an impact on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Budget 2025 (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: While taxation policy is primarily the responsibility of my colleague the Minister of Finance, I work closely with him on taxation issues relating to the agri-food sector. As the Deputy may be aware, it is a long-standing practice of the Minister of Finance not to comment in advance of the Budget on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions. Under the Irish taxation system...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Renewable Energy Generation (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: While overall national energy policy formation is the direct responsibility of my colleague, Minister Eamonn Ryan in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), my officials and I work closely with DECC on energy related matters from an agricultural perspective, as well with a wide range of industry and other stakeholder groupings. The importance of increasing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Climate Change Policy (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy is aware, climate change is a global issue. Any assessment on impacts on agriculture requires modelling at the global scale, in the context of both climate processes and the economic impacts of climate change, to include global production and prices. To date, such international work has not progressed sufficiently to meaningfully inform an Irish perspective and as a result, no...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department has been notified of the escape of farmed fish from one cage at a site in Killary Harbour. The Marine Institute and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) were also informed, in accordance with the applicable aquaculture licence conditions. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department’s Marine Engineers carried out an inspection of the site on 15th August and a report was...