Results 10,621-10,640 of 24,065 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

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

Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy will be aware that the establishment of a National Food Ombudsman is a key commitment in the Programme for Government, which states that the new Office will enforce the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive. It will also have a role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland. The UTP Directive was required to be transposed into Irish law by 1st May 2021....

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

Charlie McConalogue: The Beef Taskforce was established on foot of the beef sector agreement of 15th September 2019. The Beef Taskforce's remit as set out in terms of reference was to monitor the implementation of the actions arising from that agreement. The Taskforce was to meet at least quarterly from October 2019 for a period of one year after which the Taskforce’s progress was to be reviewed....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (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: Forestry Sector (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: 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 my commitment and that of 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...

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

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy will be aware, at the end of June political agreement was reached between the Council of Agriculture Ministers and the European Parliament on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. However, we are still some months away from the final legal texts as the European Parliament must formally sign off, with a vote expected in September or October. The Commission will publish...

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

Charlie McConalogue: When Minister of State Pippa Hackett and I launched Project Woodland in February of this year, I had two objectives. One to address and review the forestry licensing system and the second was to agree a shared national view to long-term approach to forestry and woodland creation in Ireland. I am pleased to say that the Working Groups under Project Woodland who are addressing these key...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 Jul 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. Reductions in production globally and increased demand are expected to support continued strong performance throughout 2021. The...

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

Charlie McConalogue: My Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable National and EU Legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisors as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of...

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

Charlie McConalogue: All applications for Basic Payment Scheme and other EU funded Area Based Schemes are now completed online. The online application is mandatory under EU regulations and will continue under the new CAP. One of the many advantages of the online application process is the in-built checks which prevent certain errors being made. Checks include the inability to claim incorrect parcel numbers,...

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

Charlie McConalogue: There is considerable growth in the organic sector in Ireland at present with the area of land under organic production now at approximately 74,000 hectares, an increase of nearly 50% since 2014. The current Programme for Government has set a new target for organic farming, to meet changing consumer trends in this area and has been a key priority of mine since becoming Minister. This...

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

Charlie McConalogue: The area of land under organic production at the beginning of 2021 was approximately 74,000 hectares, the vast majority of which has completed the in-conversion process. This is an increase of nearly 50% in the area of land under organic production since 2014. A total of 317 applications were received under the 2021 Organic Farming Scheme. As the Basic Payment Scheme applications have...

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

Charlie McConalogue: In relation to peat extraction, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has no involvement in its regulation. This is a planning process under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) license process, under the remit of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Following the...

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

Charlie McConalogue: The table below contains the number of Meat and Milk FBO’s currently registered with Milk & Meat Hygiene Division within the timeframes under query. A number of new applications are submitted to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine each year from potential food business operators seeking registration and/or approval for dairy and meat products. Following the...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I understand from Department officials that this correspondence has been received and officials will contact the individual directly to provide the requested information and clarification.

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

Charlie McConalogue: The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the files attached. Generally speaking, all issues in relation to leases for premises for Government Departments/Offices, including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are a matter for the Office of Public Works (OPW). However, there are a limited number of locations where the Department leases premises.

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

Charlie McConalogue: The determination in April 2019 in respect of the matter referred to is currently the subject of ongoing legal proceedings and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this time.

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

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

Charlie McConalogue: The Department has recently reviewed the systems for the preparation of Appropriate Assessment Screening Determinations, Appropriate Assessment Reports and Appropriate Assessment Determinations. Improvements have been made to the system to optimise the time of the ecologists to concentrate on the ecology aspects of each application. These improvements are outlined in Circular 8 of 2021. ...

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

Charlie McConalogue: In March 2021, I established a Seafood Sector Task Force to examine the negative impacts of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the UK on Ireland's fishing fleet and on related coastal communities and to recommend mitigation measures to me that could be taken to provide supports for development and restructuring in order to ensure a profitable and sustainable...