Results 13,901-13,920 of 23,978 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Beef Industry (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I assure the Deputy that the objective of this PGI is to try to improve the lot of farmers and to ensure that we market, develop and make the most of the tremendous product we have, and that we can help to sell that message to consumers through the PGI. We aim not only to increase the volume that we sell but also the value of what we sell. We should ensure that it is followed through on...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Beef Industry (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I am fully committed to supporting and developing Ireland’s beef sector, which plays an important role in sustaining the rural economy and rural communities across Ireland. I am well aware of the particular importance of suckler farming in this regard. The beef sector has many strengths and one way of capitalising on these is through the means available under the EU geographical...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Beef Industry (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy's point on the potential for an all-island scheme is one that I am very open to exploring. We had a very constructive engagement with the Northern Ireland agriculture minister, Mr. Edwin Poots, during the week. There is strong potential for looking at how we collaborate and an all-island brand. Our tremendous grass-fed product is well established as is the tremendous...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Beef Industry (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The voice of farmers is one that I take very seriously and is central to my considerations. The engagement with the beef task force is coming up and I will ensure that there are bilateral talks in advance of it between departmental officials and farm organisations. It is essential that there is a proper examination of the potential for this proposed PGI scheme. The research conducted on...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Food Industry (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Deputy Berry and congratulate him on his election. I have not had the opportunity to wish him well. I know he has a strong interest in agriculture. The programme for Government includes a commitment to: Ensure fairness, equity, and transparency in the food chain by establishing a new authority called the National Food Ombudsman (NFO) to enforce the Unfair Trading Practices...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I congratulate Deputy Carthy on his appointment as the Sinn Féin spokesperson on agriculture, food and the marine and wish him well in that role. I look forward to working with the Deputy. It is good to be able to be here to take questions. In the context of the Deputy's question on the Department's role in meat plants during the Covid-19 period, the Government categorised farming...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I do not have that figure to hand. This matter was not alluded to in the Deputy's question. However, I take this opportunity to recognise the tremendous work that those departmental staff and everyone else working in meat factories have done during difficult period. As we have seen in terms of the numbers infected, they have continued to work at great risk to themselves. The Government,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: As Minister, I take my responsibility very seriously, as the Department does, with regard to working with the HSE and with other agencies in terms of ensuring that the best practices are in place at meat factories and that serial testing takes place as quickly as possible. One of the first actions I took following my appointment as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine was to seek an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: A political agreement was announced in June 2019, marking the end of a twenty-year period of negotiations on the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement. The agreement is currently undergoing a process of legal scrubbing and translation, with the Commission expecting to bring the matter to the EU Trade Council in the final quarter of 2020. The provisional application of those...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Waste (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment launched the Waste Action Plan for A Circular Economy – Ireland’s National Waste Policy 2020 – 2025 on 4 September. I understand that the Plan does not suggest the levying of tariffs on the sale of multi-buy packs. It does however include a commitment to "work with retailers to end the sale...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I am acutely aware that current delays in issuing licences has led to difficulties for some in the sector. The Government is very committed to its reform as set out in the Programme for Government including the introduction of new legislation to align the planning and appeal processes with best practice in similar processes elsewhere. We need a system that  works...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres (FHC), located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. Funding is made available on an annual basis by my Department to the Fishery Harbour Centres, including Ros an Mhíl, via the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The agri-food sector is Ireland’s most important indigenous exporting industry, playing a vital role in the economy. 137,000 farms produce over €8 billion in output; and we have over 770,000 hectares of forest and over 2,000 fishing vessels & aquaculture sites. The agri-food supply chain stretches from rural and coastal areas all across Ireland to the UK, Europe and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Imports (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: On 21 August, the EU Commission and the United States announced agreement on a package of tariff reductions on a range of products, including US live and frozen lobster products.  The EU Commission figures indicate that last year the EU27 imported €42 million of lobster products from the US (15% of overall extra-EU imports), out of a market worth €290million in total and in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My thanks to the Deputy for this question. It is an issue that is at the top of my agenda, and I have already met with some of the farm bodies since my appointment to hear their views.  The issue is somewhat complicated by the ongoing delay in the adoption of the transitional rules, which is not now expected until late October at the earliest. Budgetary details will have...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I am acutely aware that current delays in issuing licences has led to difficulties for stakeholders.  The Government is committed to reform of the planning and appeals processes as set out in the Programme for Government and we have presented draft legislation to this effect which I expect to be presenting to the House in due course. My Department is intensively engaging...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Potato Sector (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Diquat has been the most commonly used desiccant in the potato sector for many decades. As the deputy is aware, diquat is no longer approved for use as a plant protection product within the EU. However, to facilitate industry transition and to support growers as they move to other methods of dessicating potato crops, I have granted a temporary, once-off and short term emergency authorisation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Developing increased third country market access and furthering trade opportunities abroad are both integral parts of my Department’s response to the challenges posed by Brexit.  These goals are aligned with the strategic market development theme of Food Wise 2025. This strategy outlines the significant potential for growth of our...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Funding for the CAP is normally determined as part of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) negotiations.  On this occasion, in respect of the 2021-2027 period, the MFF has been accompanied by a new COVID-19 fund known as the Next Generation EU Recovery Instrument. European Council agreement on this package, including the CAP budget, was reached at its...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Costs (15 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Brexit, sterling volatility and Covid-19 have had a significant impact on the agri-food and fisheries sectors.  My Department's Brexit preparedness work has resulted in various supports being introduced over successive budgets to help the agri-food and fisheries sectors mitigate the impact of Brexit. These include supports in the form of direct aid, as well...