Results 9,261-9,280 of 23,950 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The key objective I have had is to include options which will ensure that every farmer can participate. I want every farmer to participate. It is really important on every farm type that the interaction with the environment, the synchronicity between agricultural production and the environment are fully considered and taken cognisance of in terms of farming practice. The objective behind...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Fisheries Policy (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for his question. This is one I have answered on many occasions previously. I welcome the opportunity to clarify this matter again. I hope this information will be helpful to everyone. Under the CFP, EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds, subject to allocated fish quotas and the rules of the CFP. There are restrictions on access...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Fisheries Policy (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The detail is very important in this regard. I am fighting the battle all the time at European level to try to maximise our fish quotas. I will be in Brussels on Sunday and Monday, once again fighting the battle regarding our national fish quota. We were also fighting that at the last Council meeting. Ireland was the only EU member state to vote against the proposal. I voted against it...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Fisheries Policy (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: This is an issue that I have discussed with the producer organisations before, one I have clarified and one that the Marine Institute does a full assessment of. I outlined the challenges in that regard in my response. The quota areas, which are based on ICES areas, do not reflect economic zones. Regarding the most accurate assessment possible in respect of calculating this figure, the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Investigations (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy. He requested information the number of commissions of investigation currently ongoing under the remit of my Department and the duration and cost of each of those. The Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 provides for the establishment of commissions of investigation that can investigate matters of significant public concern. To be clear, no commissions of investigation...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Investigations (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy. This is not something that has been raised with me as an issue. It is a matter best addressed to the Northern Irish Administration since it is a question specifically for the latter. On our work on protecting water quality and ensuring the appropriate management of all farmyard nutrients, we have put massive investment in through the targeted agriculture modernisation,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Bord Bia (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: On the new carbon suckler beef efficiency scheme, for which I increased funding for participating farmers from €90 to €150 on the first ten animals, I have set a condition regarding participation in the quality assurance scheme. The reason is that it enhances the overall offering and strength of our beef sector. It also enhances its marketability and, thus, its profitability....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fishing Industry (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Mac Lochlainn for the question. As he knows, this issue is very important to me and is one on which I have worked very hard, with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, to make progress. I know it is an issue for Donegal fishers, particularly those in Greencastle and Killybegs. It has been an important and strategic fishery for many years and one which we value very much and seek...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fishing Industry (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: My commitment to this is absolute. I am working with the Minister, Deputy Coveney, in every way possible to ensure we resolve this issue diplomatically. Access to the fisheries around Rockall is strategically important to the Irish fleet and we are determined to maintain it. It has always been a traditional fishery for us. We continue to work to resolve this. I understand the importance...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fishing Industry (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy knows, throughout the Brexit campaign, one of the reasons Boris Johnson and his colleagues advocated for leaving the EU was to take back control of their waters and fish. Despite the fact that they have now left the European Union, the agreement reallocates 25% of what international fleets catch in their waters in the coming years. Some 75% of what the EU, including Ireland,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Industry (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: There are two aspects to this, one of which is developing the tools to be able to measure additional sequestration. Teagasc is doing significant research work on how to assess that. I have provided it with the funding to do that. Flux towers across the country are assessing in detail what is happening at farm level, what is going into the soil, what is coming out of it, and developing a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Industry (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: It is important that farms already making a significant contribution to carbon sequestration and biodiversity are recognised and rewarded. The CAP plan this time around is structured to have eco schemes to reward existing good practice. For example, the 7% of space for nature within Pillar 1 in the eco schemes already recognises good practice. Farms that use less chemical nitrogen are also...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Bord Bia (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: While the Department has policy responsibility for Bord Bia, questions on operational issues, such as the matter referenced, should be directed to Bord Bia for response. My Department does not categorise cattle slaughtering by quality assured or non-quality assured, or track whether a bonus is paid. This is a commercial transaction between the farmer and the meat processor. However,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Bord Bia (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: We need to recognise the importance of quality assurance. As the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, will attest, in the meetings we have with existing customers for Irish beef we see how important quality assurance and providing verification to their customers are for them in making purchasing decisions. It is an important aspect of the offering we have. That is why it is important we...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Industry (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for a very pertinent and relevant question. As part of the commitments set out in the climate action plan 2021, we are exploring the development of a carbon farming model with the potential for trading and which rewards farmers for emissions reductions and removals, including through potential private sector investment. Such an approach will require the establishment...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Food Industry (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I am committed to bringing much-needed transparency to the food sector. The Deputy will be aware the programme for Government includes a commitment for a new office of a national food ombudsman or equivalent to enforce the unfair trading practices, UTP, directive and to have a role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland. The establishment of such an office requires...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Food Industry (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: There is a tremendous thirst within the agrifood sector, particularly among farmers, to ensure transparency will be brought to the food supply chain. I have taken that very seriously since I was appointed and, as the Deputy pointed out, I completed a consultation process, which he contributed to, at the end of the summer. Over the course of the autumn and into winter, much work has been...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Food Industry (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The role of the enforcement authority within my Department, which has been place since May, is to enforce the unfair trading practices directive and other directives that are in place at European level. It has undertaken over recent weeks and months a significant engagement process with those in the food supply chain and those who will be affected by the unfair trading practices directive to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The health and welfare of our animals is a key priority of mine. The number and nature of animal welfare complaints received by my Department and the reports from on-farm welfare inspections carried out by my Department's staff do not indicate any general deterioration in animal welfare outcomes. My Department has always been clear and consistent, and the Programme for Government places a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (9 Dec 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The new CAP Regulations place particular focus on promoting the participation of women in the socio-economic development of rural areas, with special attention to farming. The SWOT analysis in preparation for Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) identified gender inequality as a weakness, while the economic benefit of increasing female participation was identified as an...