Results 10,421-10,440 of 23,950 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for his question. As required under the provisions in EU Council Directive 2019/904, the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications recently signed into force national regulations prohibiting the use of single-use plastics. This includes films of the type used to cover sown maize. I understand that the industry is developing alternative products for use in the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I understand the challenges this pose. As already stated, the Department is conducting the VCU supporting trials for uncovered maize. We will look at any means by which we can support the industry to adjust to this. The background to what is happening is the EU directive on single-use plastics that was adopted in June 2020. This directive aims to prevent and reduce the impact of certain...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Directives (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Approximately 14,500 ha of maize are grown in the country. As we have discussed, there are two types of system - the uncovered approach and the covered approach. The covered approach is a more expensive one. With the inputs, it is about €300 per hectare but the yields tend to be far more stable, higher and more weather-resistant. The evidence is that in the region of 90% of maize...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Gender Equality (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for this very important question. Gender equality is a key priority of my Department, one of the founding values of the European Union and a key objective of the United Nations sustainable development goals. The programme for Government includes commitments to develop and implement a new national strategy for women and girls and to act on the recommendations of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: All applications for aquaculture licences for the cultivation of salmon are considered in accordance with an extensive suite of national and EU legislation, including the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Act 1993, the EU birds and habitats directives and the consolidated environmental impact assessment directives of 2014. This suite of legislation provides for stringent...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: It is important that every aspect of an application be taken into account, and an important part of that is the ecological and environmental impact be fully assessed. The application and assessment process is rigorous in that regard and goes through it in great detail. As I pointed out, the list of consultees that make submissions is extensive, while the legislation, which has to be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: It is not a matter of me having to say anything. These systems were not dreamed up; they were put together after rigorous engagement and in full compliance with all European and national laws, particularly environmental law and those relating to habitats and ecological requirements. It is a comprehensive and rigorous assessment-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: A robust system is in place. There have been significant-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The report in 2017 was significantly concerned with the delays and backlogs that had developed up to that point. That is being worked through-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: -----and licences are being dealt with in a timely fashion. It is important to have a balanced approach to this. While the Deputy outlined the views of those who are opposed to salmon and oyster farming, many people in her constituency and others are very much in favour of it. It can, and does, contribute very positively to the economy and to producing sustainable, healthy food. We have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The point Deputy Canney makes is a good one in that while there will be increased ambition and asks made of farmers, it is important that this is done in a partnership approach and, in particular, that farmers are paid for the work and actions they are being offered to participate in. That has to be central to how we approach this. It will be an important part of the Common Agricultural...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I concur with a lot of Deputy Canney's sentiments as to how we approach this. As we go forward, we will identify the level of ambition that is required and then engage as to how that is supported financially and how farmers are supported in that work. There is undoubtedly real potential in respect of renewables. That is an area we are exploring and will continue to explore and that farmers...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Wynne for her comments. I will certainly be engaging now very comprehensively with farmers right across the country on the flexibilities that I delivered and it is important that we have those flexibilities at national level so that farmers can participate in framing our national plan that works for our country and that they have a role in that. This is very important to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank both Deputies Wynne and McNamara. First, to address Deputy Wynne, as I said to Deputy Carthy earlier on, I find it ironic listening to Sinn Féin being so insistent on Dáil involvement on the CAP strategic plan when it was its party's position that all of this should have been agreed at European level, that we would not have a role and that our hands would be tied on that....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Action Plan (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The first all-of-Government Climate Action Plan 2019 established sectoral emissions reduction targets for the first time. The target for agriculture was to reduce emissions by 10% to 15% by 2030. The climate action plan 2021 is currently being developed. This plan is seen as the key mechanism to deliver on the programme for Government commitment of a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy. I do not have the details on the application in question or the notifications associated with it because those details were not encompassed by the initial question. I will, however, have a note sent to the Deputy outlining the current position.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for her question. The aim of the CAP is to all support farmers across the community to continue to produce top quality and sustainable food. The redistributive mechanisms currently in place under pillar I of the CAP seek to create a more even payment landscape and target funds where they are needed most. These redistributive mechanisms comprise a core EU policy and are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Daly for his question. The Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board, ALAB, is an independent body established by statute for the purpose of considering appeals of ministerial decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications. The situation in respect of the number of appeals pending is an operational matter and one on which the board can respond directly to the Deputy. We...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Aquaculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: It is not appropriate for me to get involved or to comment on decisions that are currently with ALAB, specifically. ALAB operates statutorily separately from the Department and has to be given the opportunity to fulfil its statutory obligations to assess any appeals. I understand that there are appeals in respect of the applications and the areas to which the Deputy referred. On a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for the question. It is a bit rich to be talking about hiding. Every time he talks about convergence, I do not see too many Sinn Féin Deputies from certain parts of the country fronting up, or in his company. However, I thank the Deputy for the question. These are the first oral questions since the agreement last month, which was really important. It happened...