Results 10,961-10,980 of 23,975 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The number of applications received under the Results-Based Agri Pilot Project (REAP) project are provided below. I was very pleased both with the application rate and to have secured places for almost 5,000 of these which was significantly above the original projection of 2,000. There are a number of agri-environment initiatives under the current CAP in which there are successful and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Organic Farming Scheme payment is computed on the basis of a minimum stocking rate of 32.5 kg per hectare per annum of livestock manure nitrogen.  This is the equivalent of 0.5 suckler cows per hectare, which is an extensive stocking rate. Farmers not achieving this stocking level receive payment on a pro-rata basis. A minimum stocking level is considered important in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Strategies (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The main objectives contained in the EU Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production is to increase consumer trust in organic food and to promote the conversion to and maintenance of organic farming methods. There is a strong corelation between the EU Action Plan and the targets contained in the Strategy for the Development of the Organic Sector.  I believe the current strategy...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: There are a wide variety of items available under the suite of seven measures under TAMS II.  To date, total expenditure under the seven measures of the TAMS, including transitional expenditure, has reached in excess of  €290m with commitments of an additional €157m made to scheme participants who have yet to draw down those commitments. The rate of grant...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Applications for forestry licences are assessed on their own merits, taking into consideration the potential impact the proposed operations may have on the surrounding countryside and environment.  The application is examined on its own and in combination with other plans and projects in the area.  There are several reasons why an application for a forestry licence may be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 639 and 640 together. There are likely to be many factors which affect the decisions by landowners not to proceed to planting, despite having received a licence to do so. In the first place, licences remain in place for three years and circumstances may change in that time. Land may change hands or other land-use opportunities may be availed of, and indeed,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The control of tree felling is regulated under the Forestry Act, 2014 and the Forestry Regulations, 2017 (SI number 191/2017).   The provision of a harvest plan at application stage is not a legal requirement.  However, applicants are encouraged to include them with their licence application.  Where not provided at application stage, the Department often subsequently...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: State Bodies (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The information requested is an operational matter for the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of the  Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and I have therefore referred the question to them for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Beef Taskforce was established by the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on foot of the beef sector agreement of 15th September 2019. The TaskForce is comprised of named individuals who were nominated at that time by the parties to that Agreement. The Beef Taskforce remit was to monitor the implementation of the actions arising from the agreement reached on 15th...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) is operationally independent of the Department and, as such, I cannot make enquiries into any individual appeal.  I have passed the query to the FAC and requested that they provide an update to the applicant on when they can expect to receive the outcome of the appeal.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Results-Based Environment Agri Pilot Project (REAP) is an ambitious, farmer-friendly environmental project designed to test the results based approach on a variety of farm types. The project will feed into the development of the next national agri-environment scheme to follow on from GLAS.  REAP is designed to focus on key learning objectives for participants...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Promotion (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Funding from a number of sources within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and agencies under its remit is available to support local food festivals. These are the Rural Innovation and Development Fund (RIDF) and the LEADER Food Initiative (LFI), part of the LEADER Programme.   The report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA)...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Results-Based Environment Agri Pilot Project (REAP) is an ambitious, farmer-friendly environmental project designed to test the results based approach on a variety of farm types. The project will feed into the development of the next national agri-environment scheme to follow on from GLAS.  REAP is designed to focus on key learning objectives for participants...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishery Harbour Centres (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, the Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: It is a matter of public record that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine brought a prosecution in the case. The Department rightly expects all its staff to fully comply with the law, particularly with those that it is bound to safeguard.  When an allegation that a member of staff has failed to do so is upheld, the Department will act robustly and in accordance with the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: It is a matter of public record that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, brought a prosecution in this case. The Department rightly expects all its staff to fully comply with the law, particularly with those that it is bound to safeguard. When an allegation that a member of staff has failed to do so is upheld, the Department will act robustly and in accordance with the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I was delighted to see the huge level of interest in REAP, demonstrated by over 10,800 applications being received by the Department. Initially, as REAP is a pilot initiative, we were limited to 2,000 places. However, the participation numbers in the project have been increased following engagement with the EU Commission. Now, almost 5,000 farmers will be supported to undertake...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (22 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The number of staff employed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine who are earning a wage which would equate to less than €12.30 per hour is 400. The information in respect State Agencies under the aegis of the Department is an operational matter, generally delegated to the Agencies themselves and I will ask the Agencies to...

Fisheries and Coastal Communities: Statements (17 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. We have had a very constructive and useful debate. I am very glad we have had three hours to discuss marine issues. As Deputies will be aware, it has been my hallmark as Minister to engage in every way I can with fishers. I have held virtual town hall meetings with people from coastal communities throughout the country in the absence of being...

Fisheries and Coastal Communities: Statements (17 Jun 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: We, as a nation, have endured many challenges over the past year and a half, from the disruption stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic to the upheaval caused by Brexit. Ireland's seafood sector has been among the most seriously impacted during this period. My objective is to work with the industry to grow the sector and the coastal community supported by it in the years ahead. My...