Results 8,701-8,720 of 23,950 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Action Plan (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Under EU rules on who can get grants under the programme, farm contractors are not eligible, although farmers are. The Deputy is correct that where it is a requirement and an obligation on farmers to spread using low emissions slurry spreading, we cannot grant aid compliance, even where it is a requirement for a farmer to use something to achieve compliance. What has happened in recent...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Action Plan (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: We have seen massive progress and most contractors are now using low emissions slurry spreading as well. That is where the demand will be from farmers in the years ahead. With regard to TAMS and other grants within the Department, my objective is to ensure we can support the sector and move to low emissions slurry spreading and then advance and accelerate that over the coming years. We are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Industry (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The dairy sector is a tremendously exciting one and a real driver of our agrifood industry and sector, and we have seen that develop further since the removal of quotas in 2015. We have seen significant growth in milk output and what that means in terms of employment in all parts of the country through processing, through added value and through the increase in our national exports, which...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Industry (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Every country has the same challenge that we do. In regard to our emissions targets and the climate action plan, I worked very hard on behalf of the sector to ensure that it and its valuable socio-economic role, but also the science around agriculture, are very much respected in terms of setting a target which, while being as ambitious as possible, is also achievable. Overall, between now...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: In keeping with the programme for Government, my Department is committed to working with local authorities, charities and community stakeholders and supporting urban horse welfare programmes, in particular in the context of facilities and education programmes. In 2016, my Department committed to provide funding towards an equine facility being developed by the local authority in the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: This is an initiative of which my Department is very supportive. There is a strong role for clubs such as this in working to ensure that horse welfare is prioritised, and that the tradition of horse care and horses in urban communities in particular are fostered and structured and that there is significant engagement in the education of young people in horse welfare and development...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department has made a significant investment in partnership with South Dublin County Council. It was made very clear to the council at that stage that the Department's investment was to get the project going, so there is a real role for the council in that regard. The Department has also been in close contact with Deputy Gino Kenny, who has made many representations and has been a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Action Plan (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Great progress has been made in recent years on the introduction of low emissions slurry spreading and it is having a real impact. Through the on-farm investment scheme, TAMS, we have seen just under €100 million invested in low emissions slurry spreading machines and equipment. There are now approximately 3,500 low emissions slurry spreading machines in the country, from a base of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy. Right across the agrifood sector, and, indeed, State boards and committees that we establish, a real focus of Government is ensuring that we see greater female participation and representation at all levels, and, likewise, with the CAP consultative committees. Certainly, that is something that our focus will be on in the time ahead. It is something we will work with all...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputies Carthy and Clarke. The programme for Government recognised the need to do more on gender equality and includes a commitment to developing and implementing a new strategy for women and girls. Gender equality is a core principle of the European Union and improving gender balance, gender equality and increasing the participation of women in farming are, for the first time,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: It will depend on the quality of the applications and projects that come forward. One of the benefits of the European innovation projects is the capacity to promote innovation and new ideas and to pilot programmes. One of the key objectives is to use it as an initiative where we will examine women's participation in agriculture. We will then assess them based on the quality of proposals...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Schemes (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Canney. I take on board the points that he is making. I appreciate his authenticity in setting out his personal experience of the challenge he has experienced in his role as Deputy in supporting farmers. The warnings I have described serve as reminders to ensure applicants are aware of the schemes they are applying for. Experience of EU audits has shown it is clear that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Schemes (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Like the Deputy, I want to avoid farmers losing out because ANC payments are important for them. When farmers miss out on them, it is quite significant for them in that particular year. Every effort is made within the application process and structure to ensure it is clear whether the farmer is applying for this payment and to provide a reminder if the farmer is not applying for it. If a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rockall Island Ownership (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for raising this question, which is particularly important for a significant number of fishermen, numbering some 25 or 26, who fish for squid and haddock inside the Rockall 12-mile zone. He referred to the estimated financial costs associated with this. As he knows, I received the task force report, Navigating Change, last October. The impact of the loss of access to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rockall Island Ownership (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I assure the Deputy there is no lack of respect for fishermen from me or the Government. In fact, I massively respect the work they do, the challenging role they have, the daily ordeal and challenge of fishing in what can be very difficult and dangerous seas, and the contribution they make to our economy nationally and to coastal communities in particular. I have backed them since my...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rockall Island Ownership (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I remember that debate and how the Deputy used his contribution straight after the debate. No doubt he had somebody in his office on the Facebook machine. His closing line was "Rock on, Rockall" and the Facebook post included his contribution plus the tune from which that line is taken. It was playing to an audience and trying not to get into the detail and not to recognise the real...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rockall Island Ownership (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: That is exactly what the Deputy did.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rockall Island Ownership (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Will the Deputy allow me to answer?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rockall Island Ownership (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: If we had not had a deal on Brexit, not only would we be excluded from the Rockall waters but from all British waters. We would not be having the argument about the 12-mile zone around Rockall; we would be having an argument about all waters within the British fishing zone, within which Rockall is placed and always has been placed. The Deputy can try to say it was not but it always has...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rockall Island Ownership (10 Feb 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I assure the Deputy that I fully recognise the challenge this is for the many vessels involved and we are working to try to resolve the situation.