Results 821-840 of 3,588 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: The wool council is an industry-led approach. I understand it met before Christmas and is due to meet again soon. We will continue to work closely with it in its deliberations and on recommendations that come from there. Other work we have done in this area, including the support for early stage producer organisations, which will be introduced later this year, will strengthen the position...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Feb 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising this really important point because this is the time of year when sheep farmers' focus is on lambing their ewes. Right now, sheep farmers throughout the country are in their sheds with their ewes wondering what return they will get for their efforts and time in the months ahead. This is a really concerning time for them. Every sector across the country in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Senator for raising what is an important issue. He articulated it in terms that I can understand. When he started referencing Kildare and municipal districts, I could see the benefit of municipal districts and how they have worked well to streamline the decision-making process, so I can understand his frustration. On behalf of my colleagues, the Minister of State, Deputy...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Heydon: I appreciate the points the Senator made and I accept his frustration in that regard. In each of the Dublin local authorities and on Cork and Galway city councils, where area committees exist, decisions can be made in local areas but, as he pointed out, those decisions have to then be brought forward to the council for further discussion. He made his point well on subsidiarity. We know...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Local Authorities (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Heydon: We even gave an obligatory mention to Athy because they are here.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Measures (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Heydon: I wish the students good morning and it is great to have them here. On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, I wish to thank Senator Clifford-Lee for raising this matter. I agree with her point that this is not a small matter and that it is important to people looking at it. In every debate we have to have little bit of balance and talk about all the impacts such a decision...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Measures (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Heydon: First, this is not just the view of the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, but also the consensus view following the Dáil debate in 2018, when the issue was considered at length.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Measures (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Heydon: Okay, but there was a debate of the entire House, and I do not think we should necessarily talk about what various parties said. There is a collective responsibility within the Government now that this is Government policy. The Senator can, by all means, raise the issue with the Minister for Health. Wearing my hat as Minister of State with responsibility for agriculture, I should pull up...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tax Code (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter relating to an online advertising tax, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Finance. I understand that the Senator is referring to a tax in the same vein as a digital tax, which has been the subject of discussions in the area of international taxation over recent years. It is the long-held view of the Government that to ensure...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Tax Code (22 Feb 2023)

Martin Heydon: I again thank the Senator for raising those points and note the frustration with which she articulated them. I will bring them back to the Minister for Finance. I did not necessarily expect the Senator to be happy with the response but, notwithstanding that, a global approach to address the challenges raised by digitalisation under Pillar 1 of the OECD agreement is preferable to unilateral...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Feb 2023)

Martin Heydon: The issue of import costs is a huge concern for us. That is why measures we have introduced across Government have been particularly targeted at supporting farmers. Last year we had the fodder scheme and more than €90 million of different interventions to support farmers in that regard. Government will continue to step in and provide support there. We have also supported farmers...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (21 Feb 2023)

Martin Heydon: As for the proposal the Deputy is talking about, I am happy for my officials to look at that and examine it further.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Feb 2023)

Martin Heydon: The only people talking about culling the national herd seem to be from the Opposition. Ultimately, we are talking about a Government climate action plan that sets very ambitious targets for how we reduce our emissions profile while continuing to produce top-quality food, as our farmers do throughout the country. Farmers who made the significant investments the Deputy talked about have been...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Feb 2023)

Martin Heydon: It is an academic report that we will consider.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (8 Feb 2023)

Martin Heydon: The Deputy should let the Taoiseach answer.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Jan 2023)

Martin Heydon: Who paid for the UK polling?

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Horse Racing Industry (7 Dec 2022)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Senator for raising this critical issue not only for our county of Kildare but for the rural economy, of which the horse racing and breeding industry is such an integral part. It is a key contributor to the rural economy across Ireland. We know that is the case from the 2017 Deloitte report on the Economic Impact of Irish Breeding and Racing, commissioned by the HRI. That...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Horse Racing Industry (7 Dec 2022)

Martin Heydon: The Brexit adjustment reserve is where the ITBA has directed its ask and that is where the potential lies. You have to have that demonstrable impact from Brexit and there is no doubt in my mind that this industry has been impacted by that. The Senator spoke about successful schemes and so on. I pointed to the horse and greyhound racing fund earlier as a good indication of the Government's...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Animal Welfare (24 Nov 2022)

Martin Heydon: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, I thank Senator Boylan for raising what is a very important issue. I am delighted to have the opportunity to outline the work across government in this area, the commitments we have made in the programme for Government and how we are acting on them and what the different Departments are doing. The Senator has directed this question towards me...

Seanad: Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad: Animal Welfare (24 Nov 2022)

Martin Heydon: I will bring the points raised by the Senator directly back to the Minister, Deputy McConalogue. The Commencement matter tabled by the Senator referred to capacity in the shelters and contingency plans. The broad approach the Government takes feeds into that. The programme for Government includes a commitment to promote responsible pet ownership. The Senator's point in respect of welfare...