Results 10,601-10,620 of 24,065 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The aim of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is to all support farmers across the community to continue to produce safe, sustainable and healthy food. The redistributive mechanisms currently in place under CAP Pillar I seek to create a more even payment landscape and target funds where they are needed most. These redistributive mechanisms are a core EU policy and are set to continue into...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has been able to maintain its services with very few exceptions. This was possible for several reasons, the most important of which is that the Department supports the Agri-Food sector which, itself, is an essential service and had to continue as part of the country’s food supply chain. Business...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The new CAP will have an increased focus on environmental matters. The agreement sets out a number of measures aimed at encouraging farmers to adopt climate and environment-friendly farming practices, including: - Ring-fencing of 25% of Member States’ direct payments envelopes for new eco-schemes under Pillar I. There are some flexibilities in place for Member States including a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Responding to the Programme for Government as well as public and stakeholder consultations, I launched Ireland’s first dedicated Animal Welfare Strategy earlier this year. Taking a ‘One Health, One Welfare’ approach, the strategy acknowledges and values the interconnections and interdependences between human, animal and environmental health, and equine welfare is central...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Promotion (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy is aware, one of the actions under the Programme for Government is to undertake a review of the potential demand in domestic and international markets for wool based products such as insulation and fertilisers. Following the allocation of €100,000 in Budget 2021 for this review, I initiated a public consultation process in early March 2021 to determine the terms of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Organic Farming Scheme was reopened earlier this year to encourage farmers to make the transition to organic farming. This is part of the commitment under the Programme for Government which is the highest level of ambition ever for the Irish organic sector. Successful applications will be determined by a ranking and selection process. Marks are awarded for each sector with the aim of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: In response to this event in 2020, a Multi-Agency Group chaired by the Minister for Heritage, was established and it includes representatives of Leitrim County Council, Oireachtas, Farm Bodies, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Inland Fisheries, Department of Transport, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Universities. On 24th May 2021, I clarified that force majeure...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I have had ongoing engagement with fishing industry representatives since I took office last year and have met them on a number of occasions both in advance of the conclusion of the EU/UK Trade and Co-operation Agreeement and subsequent to its adoption. In the recent period, an Taoiseach and I met with industry represenatives on 21st June to discuss some of the current issues and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Since the first finding of ash dieback disease in Ireland, the focus of the Department’s approach to the disease, and the support provided to ash plantation owners, has evolved as our understanding of the nature and scale of the disease has changed. In March 2013, the Department introduced a Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara Ash Dieback) to restore plantations established under the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Reviews (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government contained a commitment to undertake a review of the potential demand in domestic and international markets for wool based products such as insulation and fertilisers. Following the allocation of €100,000 in Budget 2021 for this review, I initiated a public consultation process in early March 2021 to determine the terms of reference...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I fully acknowledge the important contribution bees make to agriculture and biodiversity as both pollinators and honey producers. In this regard, the Department provides a range of supports and initiatives to encourage and assist beekeepers and the national beekeeping associations. The Department is also a partner in the All Ireland Pollinator Plan 2021 – 2025 and is a member of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I am fully committed to delivering much-needed transparency in the supply chain. The Deputy will be aware also that one of the key principles of the Directive on Unfair Trading Practices in Business-to-Business Relationships in the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain is to protect farmers, farmers’ organisations and other weaker suppliers of agricultural and food products against...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fuel Prices (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: No specific study of fuel prices has been conducted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. However, the Department does monitor costs relating to the agriculture sector on an ongoing basis. Each month the Central Statistics Office (CSO) release the Wholesale Price Index, the Consumer Price Index and Agricultural Price Indices, which track changes in input costs and output...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: NHA or National Heritage Areas are areas of special interest containing important wildlife habitats. These areas were designated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and related area-based schemes such as the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) and Greening are paid on eligible hectares in line with EU Regulations. An eligible hectare consists of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy may be aware that the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications recently signed into force, national regulations prohibiting the use of single use plastics as required under the provisions in EU Council Directive 2019/904. I understand that the industry is developing alternative products for use in the sowing of maize that will comply with the new requirements set...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Promotion (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: One of the actions under the Programme for Government is to undertake a review of the potential demand in domestic and international markets for wool based products such as insulation and fertilisers. Following the allocation of €100,000 in Budget 2021 for this review, I initiated a public consultation process in early March 2021 to determine the terms of reference for such a review....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Regulation regarding the transition period enables EU Member States to continue convergence during the transition period, if they so wish. In order to provide for stability, some certainty for farmers and consultation on CAP measures, Ireland chose to rest convergence during the transitional period (2021-22). This rest period provided some time for consultation with farmers and their...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Cratloe Woods in Co Clare is owned and managed by Coillte and as such is its day-to-day management is an operational matter for the company. In view of the question raised, I have however made enquiries with Coillte on the matter. They advise that the wood in Cratloe is approximately 356 hectares in size and, although it may have had a history of being once a large and vibrant oak...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Programme for Government has committed to exploring the potential for the growing of fibre crops including hemp, to assess whether these crops have a viable market. The Department has and continues to engage with stakeholders in the hemp sector on an ongoing basis. In the context, the Department is about to commence the consultative process by engaging with the relevant sectoral...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (15 Jul 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The situation with forestry licensing is a key priority for the Department, for me and Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has responsibility for the sector. I fully understand the seriousness of the situation with many landowners in terms of the delays encountered and the various issues with the wider sector. Implementation of Project Woodland remains a key priority. I have already...