Results 9,281-9,300 of 23,964 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

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...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I am pleased to recently publish the report of the Chair of the Beef Taskforce. The report clearly sets out that the group satisfied its remit in monitoring and progressing the implementation of the actions agreed by stakeholders in the beef sector agreement of 15thSeptember 2019. The Taskforce has delivered on its commitments which consisted of a total of 38 actions in two strands, one for...

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

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy may be aware, Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and, as such, its day-to-day operations are entirely a matter for the company. The principal objective of Coillte is to carry out the business of forestry but this also involves providing recreational facilities to the general public throughout its estate of 440,000 hectares. In addition,...

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

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy is aware, a review of the potential demand for wool-based products such as for insulation and fertilisers in domestic and international markets is one of the initiatives included in the Programme for Government. Following the €100,000 commitment in Budget 2021, I initiated a public consultation in March 2021 to identify the review's terms of reference, which included: -...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I am a strong supporter of generational renewal and the need to support young farmers as way of ensuring we have the best and brightest enter the sector. The challenge of generational renewal is widely recognised both at national and EU level with the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) citing it as one of its nine key objectives. The Programme for Government contains a commitment...

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

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy is aware, a review of the potential demand for wool-based products such as for insulation and fertilisers in domestic and international markets is included in the Programme for Government. Following the €100,000 commitment in Budget 2021, I initiated a public consultation in March 2021 to identify the review's terms of reference, which included: - identification of...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I am confident that the food safety controls and traceability systems operated by my Department in cooperation with other relevant agencies, particularly the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, can provide assurances to the consumers of Irish beef, wherever they may be in the world, that the highest standards of safety and traceability are upheld and enforced. With regard to traceability in...