Results 8,121-8,140 of 23,963 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (6 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department issued 4,050 forestry licences last year, which is an increase of 56% on the number issued in 2020, and met our revised target of 4,000 licences. It is our intention to build on this momentum in 2022. The Forestry Licensing Plan was published and commenced in January 2022. The Plan sets out a range of forestry priorities set to run for the whole of 2022. The main priorities...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (6 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The rate of carbon sequestration by forests depends on a number of different factors which includes the soil present, species and age. Ireland's Afforestation Programme provides financial supports to land owners to plant a range of species. The current requirement under the Forestry Programme is that there is a mix of species and places a target of 30% broadleaves and 70% conifers. Last years...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (6 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: All forestry activities funded under the current Forestry Programme 2014-2020 (extended to end 2022) must be conducted in line with the principles of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM). My Department offers attractive supports through the Programme to forest owners to assist them in the creation and management of their forests. These include generous grants and premiums to landowners who...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (6 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: All lands suitable for afforestation must be environmentally suitable and have the capacity to grow trees sustainably. My Department has published "Land Types for Afforestation" which sets out the eligibility criteria for grant aid and is based on the capability of lands to produce a sustainable crop of timber. Existing forests and the creation of new forests are important for climate change...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (6 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The Irish forestry sector currently contributes significantly to the Irish economy, accounting for an estimated €2.3 billion of GDP and supporting almost 9,400 rural jobs. The current Forestry Programme which commenced in 2015 and has been extended to the end of 2022 provides significant supports for afforestation. This includes grants and premiums for 12 different planting categories...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I know it is something we have discussed before. Mackerel is the species most impacted by Brexit trade and co-operation agreement. Between now and 2026, we will lose 25% of our mackerel-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I know that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I heard the Deputy's question.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I am answering, but context is obviously really important. We have only a certain quota nationally. The point I am making is that 25% of that between now and 2026 will be lost due to the severe impact, particularly on mackerel, of Brexit. We have to manage what we have. There is not agreement that any of that would be reallocated from any of the sectors that currently use it to the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: That is correct. There is not agreement among the sector on that. It is certainly something I am considering.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I am considering the matter but there has been no decision made in respect of it. This is not straight forward because fishers are not agreed on it.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Schemes (5 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this matter and for his ongoing and active interest in all matters agricultural, both in the Seanad and on the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, at which he is a consistent and effective contributor. The issue of generational renewal and retirement is very important. The Senator referred to my tour of the marts when I visited at least...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Agriculture Schemes (5 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I echo the Cathaoirleach's welcome to our guests. I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this important topic. Generational renewal and ensuring that there is an avenue for the next generation to not only enter our great agriculture, food and farming sector but also to flourish is a core element of my strategy as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Despite the many challenges we...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (5 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 892, 893 and 894 together. Under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds subject to allocated fish quotas. There are derogations to this access rule, including restrictions on access to Member States' coastal waters. In Ireland’s case, other than Northern Irish vessels under Voisinage...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (5 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The information requested by the Deputy is attached in tabular form, as requested.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (5 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 896, 898, 899, 900, 901, 929 and 930 together. I will refer the Deputy to his Dáil question number 860 of 29th March, that since the first finding of ash dieback disease in Ireland, my Department has provided support totalling over €7 million to owners of ash plantations impacted by disease through the Reconstitution Scheme (Ash Dieback)...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (5 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The damage caused by ash dieback disease is rapidly increasing in Europe and Ireland. It is likely in the coming years to have a catastrophic impact on ash wherever it occurs in the Irish landscape, including in hedgerows and in the wider natural environment. The total area of grant aided ash is approximately 15,000 hectares. To date approximately 2,000 hectares of this grant aided ash...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (5 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department recognises its responsibilities regarding the conservation of Hen Harrier, and is fully engaged in the development of the Threat Response Plan, led by the National Parks & Wildlife Service, Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. We are supplied a High Likelihood of Nesting Areas (HLNAs) GIS layer from the NPWS, in order to underpin the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (5 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy is aware, I recently announced the Targeted Intervention Package. This package seeks to incentivise the planting of additional tillage crops for this coming planting season through the Tillage Incentive Scheme. It is proposed to encourage farmers to grow more eligible tillage crops in 2022 versus 2021. Eligible crops include the cereal crops barley, wheat, oats, rye,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Public Sector Staff (5 Apr 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The Civil Service Disciplinary Code provides that pending the outcome of an investigation under the auspices of that Code, management may take whatever protective measures it deems necessaryincluding placing a civil servant off duty with pay in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956, pending the conclusion of the disciplinary process. The decision to place an...