Results 13,501-13,520 of 23,978 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (3 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Measures to further develop and diversify markets for Irish pigmeat and pigmeat products are undoubtedly the most effective means of maintaining stable export flows and minimising trade disruption. Increasing international market access for Irish agri-food exports is a core element of Food Wise 2025, the strategic framework for developing the overall agri-food sector. The strategy...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports (3 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Developing and increasing third country market access and ensuring the highest standard of food production have long been integral parts of my Department’s strategy for the development of the Irish Agri-food sector. The challenges posed by Brexit have required an increased emphasis on third country market access in order to protect the Agri food sector, given our exposure to the UK...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (3 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Regardless of the outcome of the trade negotiations between the EU and the UK, from 1 January 2021, things will change for our agri-food industry, particularly for importers and exporters of agri-food products, who will have to comply with new customs and regulatory requirements. EU legislation requires that sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls, in the form of documentary, identity and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data and Genomics Programme (3 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: For 2020, a key requirement of the Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP) I is that participants must ensure that at least 50% of their reference animals are genotyped heifers/eligible suckler cows and rated 4/5 stars on the replacement index. Under BDGP II, which commenced in 2017, the female replacement requirement is 20% of their reference animals. This was clearly set out in the terms and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Livestock Issues (3 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Since the beginning of the Covid crisis, my Department has worked intensively, in cooperation with marts representative organisations, to ensure that marts may remain in operation. My Department has adapted the conditions under which marts must operate since April, to reflect the various measures introduced by the Government to stop the spread of Covid, and to allow marts to continue to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Meat Processing Plants (3 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy is aware, my Department has a statutory responsibility to approve slaughter plants in accordance with the European Union (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2020. In relation to the proposed plant referenced, my officials are engaging with the proposed plant operators to ensure that they understand and address the requirements for approval to be registered with DAFM and to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Data Protection (3 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department recorded fifty data breaches in the year 2019. All of these breaches were reported to the Irish Data Protection Commission, as required under Article 33 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Livestock Issues (3 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: There are three providers of platforms for online mart bidding, and these platforms are now in use by the vast majority of marts. These systems have enabled the trade in livestock to continue through Level 5 restrictions. My Department’s role in marts sales relates to animal health and welfare. The Department has no role in approving the online platforms - this is a commercial...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (3 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Our beef and dairy sectors continue to be the bedrock that our agri-food industry is based upon. Both sectors are worth approximately €4.7bn in terms of output, and my ambition as Minister is to see these value figures increase over the years ahead. Global demand for food continues to increase and given our cost efficient grass based production system, Ireland is well placed to supply...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Felling Licences (3 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1562 to 1565, inclusive, together. I am very aware of the serious issues delays in processing forestry licences and appeals is causing industry stakeholders. My Department has been working to increase outputs on new licences and has an expected felling licence output this month that will be the highest number of licences and volume since the beginning of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (3 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I would like to assure the Deputy that Fisheries is a very important priority for Ireland. We are seeking to protect the interests of the Irish fleet in terms of both quota share and access to UK waters. From the outset of the negotiations, Ireland and our EU partners have been clear on our level of ambition in this area and on the fact that progress on an overall trade deal is linked to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tuberculosis Incidence (3 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: As of 25th October 2020, the number of Herds with TB restrictions placed on them is 2,873. While TB disease is low relative to historical levels, TB herd incidence and reactor numbers have been gradually increasing since 2016. The pace of deterioration has accelerated in 2020. Herd incidence is now at its highest level since 2012 and reactor numbers are now at 2009 rates. Herd incidence is a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Biocidal products, including hand sanitisers, may only be marketed and used in Ireland once they are registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and are entered on the Biocidal Product Register" in accordance with Regulation 20 of Statutory Instrument 427 of 2013. The hand sanitiser Virapro was approved by our Biocides Unit and placed on the approved register of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Livestock Issues (3 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Since the beginning of the Covid19 crisis, my Department has worked intensively, in cooperation with marts representative organisations, to ensure that marts may remain in operation. I would like to commend the representative organisations for this good and necessary cooperation. I would like to commend also the marts themselves, and farmers around the country, for the resilience they have...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Capital Expenditure Programme (3 Nov 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department has completed one capital project over €20m since 2016. In 2019, the project for the remediation of the East Tip, Haulbowline Island, Co. Cork under NUTS 3 Region Cork/South West IE053 was completed. My Department assumed responsibility for remediation works at Haulbowline Island in 2012. In the period up to 2017, expenditure was focussed on preparing for and securing...

Level 5 Response to Covid-19: Statements (Resumed) (23 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I welcome the opportunity to update the House on a notice issued by my Department for the hand sanitiser product, Virapro. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the national competent authority for the approval and registration of biocide products, including sanitisers. Biocidal products, including hand sanitisers, may only be marketed and used in Ireland once they are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Felling Licences (22 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: As you may be aware, there is a backlog of license applications that require an Appropriate Assessment (AA). My Department has put in place a detailed project plan for dealing with this backlog which includes recruitment of additional ecologists, forestry inspectors and administrative staff where required. In this case, a Natura Impact Statement...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme (22 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Following a review of the case in question, the 2019 BPS application of the persons named has been accepted.  This case will now be processed and payment will issue in the coming weeks when the next 2019 pay run take place.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tuberculosis Eradication Programme (22 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Effective diagnostic tests are a crucial element of any disease eradication programme. The Irish bTB eradication programme uses two main diagnostic tests for live animals: - The single intradermal comparative tuberculin test (SICTT), often referred to as the skin test, which is the test most widely used in an Irish context. - The gamma interferon test (a blood test) which is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (22 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: A study to determine the feasibility of any future once-off targeted scheme for Voluntary Farm Building Relocation is being undertaken.  My Department has evaluated a range of at risk farmyards, impacted by flooding, to see if any alternative remedial works can be undertaken to protect farm buildings at risk of flooding and is currently considering this evaluation.