Results 14,021-14,040 of 23,978 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I note the content of the letter forwarded by the Deputy, detailing issues facing the forestry industry, and which supported the proposed amendment to the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001. I am acutely aware that current delays in issuing licences has led to difficulties for some in the sector. My Department is intensively engaging with all relevant stakeholders on these issues. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1438 to 1440, inclusive, together. Lobster is a particularly important species for the inshore fishing fleet and is fished predominantly using pots right around the coast. Any Irish sea-fishing boat with the appropriate licence conditions is eligible to fish for lobster. The Report of the Licensing Authority for Sea-fishing Boats for 2019 indicates that this...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I am acutely aware that current delays in issuing licences has led to difficulties for some in the sector. My Department is intensively engaging with all relevant stakeholders on these issues. The current licensing difficulties are as a result of the changes made to internal Appropriate Assessment Procedures (AAP). These were introduced in response to important Court of Justice of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The Pearl Mussel Project is operationally independent of my Department and is run by the Pearl Mussel Project Team. The information below is sourced from the Project Team. The Pearl Mussel Project forms part of the ‘after-LIFE’ component of the KerryLIFE project. As the first year of the Pearl Mussel Project 2019 overlapped with the final year of the KerryLIFE programme,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: This issue relates to a payment claim for an action under the REPs scheme that has been closed for several years. The Department is still assessing the application and will be in direct contact with the applicant in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Sales (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The Connemara Pony Breeders Society (CPBS) has been approved by my Department to maintain the Studbook for Connemara Ponies and in this regard operate a breeding programme for the breed. The identification of genetic defects and their elimination where possible is part of such a breeding programme. The CPBS in conjunction with Weatherbys have been carrying out research which has enabled...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy should be aware that there is no such limit. The specification document in respect of an application for the registration of Irish Grass Fed Beef as a Protected Geographical Indication states that Irish Grass Fed Beef producers are within two hours transport of at least one of over thirty approved and certified abattoirs. However, there is no stipulation that cattle must be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheep Welfare Scheme (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The details of the Sheep Welfare Scheme, including the payment rates for participants, were approved by the European Commission in 2016. The payment rates are based on the agreed costings underlying the actions to be undertaken in the scheme, and an increase in payments would thus require changes to the actions currently being undertaken by farmers. Any such changes to the details of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Wool production is an important component of agri-industry and Ireland produces excellent quality wool. In an industry such as the wool industry where prices tend to move in cycles, it is imperative that the players ensure and promote a diversity of options for the product in the market place. The current market uncertainties should provide an impetus for the industry players to come...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Retirement Scheme (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: In recent years, the priority of my Department has shifted to the encouragement of generational change for farmers by assisting the development of our young farmers. There is a range of supports in place, including specific agri-taxation measures to incentivise this generational change. These agri-taxation measures specifically aimed at young farmers include 100% stock relief on income tax...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Industry (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Bord na gCon 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. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It is not possible to establish exact figures for greyhound exports, as TRACES, the European...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tuberculosis Incidence (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The Bovine TB Forum Interim Report (published July 2019) identified the need to provide more effective information to farmers to help them reduce the risk of TB in their herd and advocated for the development of herd risk categories that are “simple, clear, and convey sufficient information to enable farmers to make the decisions appropriate to their situation”. In line with,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beekeeping Industry (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I fully recognise the important role bees play within agriculture and for biodiversity, both as pollinators and honey producers. My Department provides a range of supports and initiatives to encourage and assist beekeepers and the national beekeeping associations. These supports include, but are not limited to, funding to carry out applied research through the National Apiculture Programme,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord Iascaigh Mhara (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department is currently awaiting submission, by BIM, of a comprehensive updated review of their existing ice plant network operations. The review will provide an opportunity for analysis of current and projected future demand for the existing service and the rationale for BIM to continue to operate the service, given the existing provision of ice by a range of external operators in many...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres as provided for under statute, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tuberculosis Incidence (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The Bovine TB Forum Interim Report (published July 2019) identified the need to provide more effective information to farmers to help them reduce the risk of TB in their herd and advocated for the development of herd risk categories that are “simple, clear, and convey sufficient information to enable farmers to make the decisions appropriate to their situation”. In line with...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tuberculosis Eradication Programme (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I can confirm that there are no outstanding payments due to the herdowner in question. . TB compensation payments were made to this herd as a result of a breakdown up to April 2009 (i.e. Reactor, Income Supplement and Hardship payments). All further payments including reactor compensation as well as four instalments of monthly Income Supplement (May to August 2009) were withheld and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My officials and I have ongoing contact with all the key stakeholders across the agri-food sector since the start of the pandemic. My Department and I are working to ensure that business and services to farmers can continue, keeping food and other processing facilities operational, ensuring that payments and commercial activities that are necessary to protect farm incomes can continue. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Sep 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The details of the Sheep Welfare Scheme, including the payment rates for participants, were approved by the European Commission in 2016. The payment rates are based on the agreed costings underlying the actions to be undertaken in the scheme, and an increase in payments would thus require changes to the actions currently being undertaken by farmers. Any such changes to the details of the...