Results 11,301-11,320 of 24,065 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (25 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The file in question will be forwarded to the Agriculture Appeals Office (AAO) in the coming days. The Deputy can be assured that staff of the Department with responsibility for the file will engage with the AAO on this matter until it is concluded.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (25 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides a modern framework for applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare and replaced a number of enactments dating back over a century. Under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013, the Department has primary policy responsibility for the welfare of all animals, including equines. The Act puts clear obligations on owners to look...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (25 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Under the Control of Horses Act 1996, Local Authorities may take a range of actions in relation to equines including prohibiting horses in certain areas, the issuing of licenses and the seizure of horses in contravention of the Act. These powers can be used in respect of straying horses which includes horses put on land without the owner’s permission, including public land. Figures...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Cybersecurity Policy (25 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: For operational and security reasons, the Department has been advised by the National Cyber Security Centre not to disclose details which could, in any way, identify potential vulnerabilities in Departmental Cybersecurity arrangements. Therefore, the relevant figures will not be made available.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Schemes (20 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: We would first look to explore the options for developing markets so there would be a price for wool that can actually deliver a profit for farmers and ensure the cost associated with clipping was also covered. The sheep welfare scheme has been an important scheme for farmers and it has been extended this year. I have also updated the reference years to ensure the maximum number of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (20 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy. This tremendous project has been recognised and supported by the Government to the tune of over €500,000. That is a reflection of the commitment we have to supporting projects like this and the value they add to local communities, equine care and welfare and the education of and provision of opportunities to young people so they can engage with horses and develop...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (20 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy. There has been tremendous commitment to this from the Department, as the Deputy can see from the level of funding. I recognise the tremendous work the club is doing and the value to youths in the community. I certainly look forward to visiting it and other similar projects whenever there is time in the near future. I also want to look at projects like this that can...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Schemes (20 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputies Carthy and Clarke for tabling the question. With sheep meat, it is good to see weekly prices since the start of 2021 are running consistently higher than the same period in both 2019 and 2020, with prices in early May at €7.45 per kg, a 38% increase on the same week in 2020. The year-to-date national average price is almost 30% up on the same period in 2020. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Schemes (20 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The funding of €100,000 is there for research to develop opportunities and potential for domestic use and income from wool. We will be very much guided by the submissions we receive and we will reflect on the suggestions coming out of that to see how we can best utilise that funding to try to ensure there are new opportunities. If any opportunities present, we will look to develop...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Bodies (20 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy's written question was dealing with the task force as well but I will first respond to his point about blockchain. It certainly is exciting technology and the potential of it is very strong indeed. It is something we have had discussions on previously in great detail. We certainly have a premium product in Ireland. Farmers put in tremendous effort to produce quality, healthy...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Bodies (20 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Transparency and traceability are key with all the food we produce. Farmers and all in the food supply chain go to great efforts to show where it coming from at a farm level, from both a quality and a safety point of view. Ultimately, that is also very important in trying to ensure we get the maximum price for it when we go to sell it. The potential of any new technologies around this must...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Bodies (20 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: As I said, I am certainly open to considering this and looking at its potential to benefit farmers. On the point I referred to about the task force, at its most recent meeting, the third report it produced on price composition along the supply chain was presented to task force members. They are considering it and commenting on it and will meet again in early June to take that work forward.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Funding (20 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for his question. In keeping with the programme for Government, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is committed to working with local authorities, charities and community stakeholders in supporting urban horse welfare programmes, in particular in the context of facilities and education programmes. Funding provided to South Dublin County Council in support...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (20 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: It will not be a matter of what I or my officials do whenever it comes to our national CAP plan. It will be a matter of engaging fully with farmers throughout the country on what our plan should look like, and fully consulting everyone before I, as Minister, make any calls on that. My approach in Europe has been to ensure we have as much national discretion as possible to set our own...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (20 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thought I had been clear but maybe not. My position at European level has been to try to ensure, in terms of the CAP, that we have as much discretion as possible to make our own decisions domestically coming out of that. I have outlined the situation at European level in terms of the Council position of 75% and the Parliament position of 100%. It remains to be seen where that will land...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (20 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I will not be setting any level on this without-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (20 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I will not be setting any level on this without first consulting farmers. I am surprised to hear that the Deputy is suggesting I should do otherwise. I am also looking forward to hearing her policy and everyone else's policy on this. Coming out of that, I will make a decision and make a call on it.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (20 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I have been consistent on this at all times. I am disappointed to see the Deputy trying to portray it as otherwise.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (20 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I outlined that in my previous response, if the Deputy wishes to go back over it and listen to exactly what the position is during the transition period.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy (20 May 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: At present, the trilogue negotiations are ongoing on all aspects of the CAP programme at European level. As the Deputy knows, in Ireland, convergence has been a central part of direct payments throughout the current CAP programme. In 2019, the goal of all payment entitlements reaching a minimum value of 60% of the national average was completed. In that time, Ireland also set a maximum...