Results 10,981-11,000 of 23,950 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Cairns. I have a couple of comments on the policies of this Government and what we are doing for farmers. The budget for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine this year has increased by 11% in trying to support farm families, which demonstrates the prioritisation we give to supporting farmers in the work they do. I am progressing work on establishing a food...
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy. His points on convergence speak to the challenges that arise in different parts of the country in this regard and also the importance of having a full national debate and consultation on the issues. They also speak to the fact it would not be appropriate for a Minister, without having had that consultation and full engagement with farmers of all types, from Donegal to...
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Sherlock. I will try to be brief. On the funding for climate action measures, the Deputy will be aware of the situation regarding the proposed CAP, whereby a minimum of 20% of Pillar 1 will now go towards eco-schemes. My objective there will be to make sure that however they are framed, those eco-schemes are accessible for farmers in order that they can actually participate...
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: That half minute is very important. Tremendous time has been given to the climate action Bill, both at the pre-legislative scrutiny stage and again in the Dáil. There is also a necessity here that we have to move on with it. If this was given all the time for every amendment, we could be here until next year debating it.
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: We must move on but tremendous consideration has been given to it. The programme for Government commitments, particularly regarding biogenic methane and the socioeconomic importance of agriculture, are transposed into the Bill. That is really important. Ultimately then, this will come back to the Government to make the decisions around it. There is an obligation on the Government to...
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: I am satisfied that the programme for Government commitments have been transposed into the climate action Bill with regard to ensuring that the socioeconomic importance of agriculture is recognised by the Government, and that the science around biogenic methane is very much central to all considerations, both at the Climate Change Advisory Council and by the Government thereafter....
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy. I am glad he thinks the cap should be €60,000 because he has followed the position of Fianna Fáil in that regard.
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: Prior to that, the Deputy's position was that the cap should be €80,000.
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: I set out that the cap should be €60,000 and the Deputy toddled along afterwards.
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy has the audacity to stand here and try and sell that as being his own policy. In the same way, he is also trying to take some ownership of the ombudsman's office for which he had previously suggested no allocation or support.
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: At European level, I have been pushing at all Council meetings to try to keep the maximum limit that can go to one farmer as limited and small as possible.
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: My objective was to achieve a cap of €60,000. I have been pushing for that at EU Council level. I have pushed for it the most of all the representatives of EU member states. It remains to be seen what will be the final level.
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: I will make the following point. The Deputy's policy was for an €80,000 cap until I set a policy of a €60,000 cap. He followed on in that regard so he should not be coming in here today and trying to sell himself as the author of that policy.
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: My position is that we should be able to have a national debate and discussion on this matter.
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: We have not.
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: We have not. The Deputy's position is that Europe should set that level.
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: It is his position. That is what he has said here today.
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy is saying that I should go over to Europe and decide arbitrarily what should happen on convergence. My position is clear.
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: We need to be able to have a national consultation over the summer on this matter involving farmers from Donegal to Kerry and from Wexford to Meath. We must look at all the issues inside and out and then decide.
- Common Agricultural Policy: Statements (16 Jun 2021)
Charlie McConalogue: I do not see it as my role to go out unilaterally and arbitrarily at European level and set convergence without consultation with farmers across the country.