Results 9,981-10,000 of 23,967 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Fishery Harbour Centres Act dates back to 1968 but has been amended on a number of occasions since its introduction. Section 5 of the Act provides the scope of use for which the Fishery Harbour Centres can be put to.  Originally the scope was quite narrowly defined and linked almost exclusively to the fishing industry.  In 1998 the Fisheries and Foreshore (Amendment) Act...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Policies (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Biocidal products, including hand sanitisers may only be marketed and used in Ireland once they are registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and are entered on the “Product Register” in accordance with Regulation 20 of Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 427 of 2013. In accordance with Regulation 19 of S.I. 427 of 2013 when a biocidal product is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: To date, the Joint Research Centre technical report on the modelling of environmental and climate ambition in the agricultural sector with the CAPRI model has not been specifically considered by Agricultural Ministers at Agri-Fish Council.  However, the technical report was discussed by the Special Committee on Agriculture at their meeting on 20 September 2021. While the report contains...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Solar energy for on-farm use is grant aided under the Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage and Safety Scheme, Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, the Organic Capital Investment Scheme and the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme measures under TAMS. The solar PV systems grant aided under TAMS includes Solar PV Panels and Solar PV...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 362 and 363 together. All forestry licences and schemes are voluntary therefore, it is not possible to exactly predict the level of applications that are likely to be received each year. The applications received for the last three full years and to end-September, 2021 are indicated in the table below, for each of the three forestry licence types. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 364 and 365 together. My Department has invested heavily in staff resources over the course of the last two years. There are currently 151 staff comprising a combination of forestry inspectors, ecologists, archaeologists, and administrative personnel. Within Forestry Inspectorate Division permanent and temporary personnel numbers have moved from 40 (38...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: At present, there are approved licences issued, for sites ready and available to plant covering 5,700 hectares.  I would encourage anyone with a valid afforestation licence to contact their forester and arrange planting.   Once planted, they may apply for the first of 15 annual premiums. It is clear that significant increases in afforestation will be required over the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, which were constructed under the auspices of the ex-Congested Districts Board. In addition my Department has responsibility for infrastructural works it carried out under the Marine Works (Ireland) Act 1902, some works at Cleggan Pier being part of this....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The next iteration of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which starts in 2023, aims to foster a sustainable and competitive agricultural sector that can support the livelihoods of farmers and provide healthy and sustainable food for society, as well as vibrant rural areas. Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023-2027 will underpin the sustainable development of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I launched the new stakeholder strategy for the Irish agri-food sector, Food Vision 2030, with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, and Ministerial colleagues Minister of State Pippa Hackett and Martin Heydon earlier this year.. Food Vision 2030 sets the ambition that, “Ireland will become a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) over the next decade. This will deliver...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy will be aware, the Climate Act was passed by the Houses during the summer, and commits the economy to a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The Deputy is correct in his assertion that Irish food is produced in a way that is very carbon efficient by global standards. Nevertheless, the sector needs to step forward and reduce absolute emissions and contribute to the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 375 together. The Programme for Government commits to a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions economy wide between now and 2030 – an extremely challenging ask but necessary as we aim to transition to a net zero economy and society. The positive contribution from the land use and agricultural sector is built around three pillars: -...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Notwithstanding the challenges of the past year, Irish dairy sector exports continue to perform well, despite the global impact to foodservice as a result of COVID-19 and supply chain disruptions resulting from Brexit and COVID-19.  The Department remains vigilant in monitoring the current market and emerging trends, engaging with the industry on an ongoing basis to maximise...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I am encouraged that the latest trade statistics for 2021 have seen Irish agri-food exports grow in value despite the challenges presented by COVID-19 and Brexit. For the first seven months of 2021, exports have increased in value terms by €533 million, or 5.8%, on the same period in 2020, and by €199 million, or 2.1%, on the same period in 2019. This is a clear...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Climate Act that was passed by the Houses during the summer, all sections of the economy will be required to contribute to  an economy wide 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emisions by 2030. I have been consistent in my views that I want to, at a minimum, maintain agricultural production at current levels while meeting our carbon reduction...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Irish and EU food producers are making significant efforts to meet international carbon reduction targets.  I am very aware that we must do what we can to ensure that these efforts do not result in EU products becoming less competitive on EU and other markets, and as a result lead to them being replaced by imported products which are produced less sustainably.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Agriculture sector has a critically important social, economic, and environmental role in Ireland and like other sectors it will play its part in meeting the climate challenge. We must ensure that agriculture contributes to climate change mitigation together with protecting our environment, while continuing to support vibrant rural and coastal communities. Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I am very aware of the contribution of the beef sector to Irish agri-food as a whole, supporting significant levels of direct employment as well as their role in supporting rural economies and the wider national economy.  It is a sector that I support and will continue to support into the future. The Department continues to prioritise supporting the sustainable development of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act will support Ireland’s transition to Net Zero and achieve a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050. The Act commits our economy to an ambitious and challenging 51% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 with specific regards to the special economic and social role of agriculture, including regarding the distinct...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (21 Oct 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I am very conscious of the important role that the sheep sector plays in the continued growth and development of our agri-food sector, and its valuable contribution to the rural economy. The strong performance of the sector in 2020 has continued into 2021 and I am delighted that farmers are being rewarded from the market for their hard work. Reductions in production globally and...