Results 12,341-12,360 of 24,068 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy and I have discussed this matter and a number of other Deputies have raised it with me. As he knows the public health advice must be put first throughout the pandemic. That is the backdrop against which we are working. I certainly understand and recognise the challenges closure has had on the point-to-point industry and the importance of that sector of the horse racing industry....

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Crowe. On the fair deal scheme, the Bill is due to come before Dáil Éireann this term. The objective is to have it in place and operational by summertime. I have recently published the consultation on the new agri-environment scheme, which is closing on 26 February. Already there have been some 1,000 replies to the consultation. I would encourage all farmers...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Flaherty. I am aware of the campaign in Longford and I commend it on emphasising the importance of local produce. I hope that others follow the lead on that. I will look into the specific case raised and I will revert to the Deputy on it.

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Sherlock for his questions. Turning to the beef task force first, it has carried out a good deal of work by bringing farm organisations and stakeholders together. It has an important role to play in future as well and I will ensure it continues to work productively. Regarding the harvesting of peat, the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, has put together a committee to...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Carthy for his questions. First, as to the situation of Covid-19 in the meat factories, this is something that the Government is taking very seriously and the meat factories have also responded very intensively to this issue. As I said in my opening contribution, the welfare of employees and of people is the first priority in this pandemic across all sectors of society, and...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: On inshore fishermen, the aquaculture sector and the fishing species quota, my objective is to support them in every way I can and I will be monitoring the situation closely. This is particularly the case with the follow-through from Brexit with the potential for a tie-up scheme to try to support incomes in the short term and the time ahead. I will also monitor the situation on our...

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I am sharing time with my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon.

Covid-19 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine): Statements (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Covid-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts and consequences. From our large towns and cities to the most remote parts of rural Ireland, the effects of this deadly disease visited many families and communities. The agrifood sector played a crucial role in keeping supply chains working, keeping the nation fed and driving food exports to ensure a balanced economy. The sector is the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The role of my Department, as the competent authority for official controls along the animal feed chain, is to ensure the implementation and enforcement of EU and National feed legislation, including those requirements relating to hauliers and the transport of feed. The Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC) is a voluntary scheme developed, owned and implemented by the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Sales (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The scheme to provide support to marts in relation to their ICT infrastructure is not yet operational. My officials are currently examining the details of a potential scheme. I gave a commitment to support the livestock mart sector through this package and I am looking forward to seeing the package come to fruition.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I fully acknowledge the importance of felling licences to the forestry sector in supporting rural employment, forest owners, sawmills and the market for timber products. All felling licences are important as they all supply material and support jobs and my Department aims to take a balanced approach to issuing them. In this regard, it is worth noting that 1,719 felling licences issued in 2020...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Appeals (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The person named submitted an application under the 2020 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) on 11th April 2020. During the processing of this application, a commonage parcel was deemed to be over claimed. The over claim deduction was applied to his BPS advance payment in October 2020. Subsequently, a review was carried out and the overclaim was removed. The BPS application was updated and the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse Racing Industry (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The location of the headquarters of the HSI is a matter for its Board. The HSI has examined a number of sites, as a location for its Headquarters and National Centre of Excellence, as part of a selection process carried out by a sub-committee of the Board. HSI advise that the work of the sub-committee has been ongoing for two years and has involved the consideration of many different...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Teagasc Activities (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: This is an operational matter for Teagasc who deliver the Green Cert Programme. I have requested Teagasc to forward the relevant information directly to the Deputy within 10 days.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: An application for a tree felling licence was received in January 2020 for the person named and has been referred to my Department’s Ecology Unit. The application site is near seven designated sites including the Killarney National Park SAC. Therefore, the impact of any felling operations on the sites and the surrounding area, must be carefully considered before deciding on the licence...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Felling Licences (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 997 and 998 together. The Deputy will be aware of the delays caused by changes to the licensing system which means that a significant number of cases now need ecological input to comply with environmental requirements. We are tackling these delays by means of a systematic project plan. We have invested heavily in resources including the recruitment of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Sales (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019 came into effect in February 2020. Extracts from the Register of Sellers have been published on www.gov.ie/registered-pet-sellers, including the pet sales registration number, the name of the seller or supplier and the county in which the premises connected to the sale or supply of pets is located. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Industry (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the organisation charged by statute...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (17 Feb 2021)

Charlie McConalogue: The person named submitted an application under the Young Farmer Capital investment Scheme of TAMS II on 11th January 2021 under Tranche 20 of the scheme. All applications in a given tranche are subject to initial administrative checks before the ranking and selection process is applied to all applications. The process of administrative checking is currently under way for Tranche 20. If...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Licences (17 Feb 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 advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of...