Results 1,641-1,660 of 4,120 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Equine Industry (26 Jan 2021)

Martin Heydon: Nobody knows better than me how important Punchestown is to the rural economy and to the economy of Kildare. I worked at Punchestown Racecourse for four years and was actually a course builder for a number of summers on the three-day equestrian course, which is a fantastic facility in Punchestown. I would love to see HSI set up in Punchestown. Punchestown has been mentioned, as has Goffs,...

Prohibition of Sulky-Racing Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: It is for the Department of-----

Prohibition of Sulky-Racing Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Mattie McGrath for bringing this legislation before the House. I acknowledge the concerns raised by him and Deputies Carthy, Quinlivan, Shanahan and Gino Kenny. They originally spoke about sulky racing but their concerns were broader than that and went into the area of horse welfare and beyond. Most people in Kildare are passionate about racehorses, much like Deputy McGrath...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Animal Welfare (8 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: European Union legislation provides for a set of harmonised rules to ensure that food and feed are safe, and to ensure a high level of human, animal and plant health, as well as animal welfare along the agrifood chain. Primary responsibility for ensuring that the obligations set out in Union legislation are met rests with operators. The official controls regulation is clear that the...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Animal Welfare (8 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: That is a fair point. At the end of the day, we control what we control on the EU side, and we have to presume that what the final set of agreements is would have reciprocal approaches on both sides. What we have always wanted, both in Ireland and as part of the EU, is as close a working relationship as possible with Great Britain. A huge amount of our trade, particularly in the agrifood...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Animal Welfare (8 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: What I can guarantee is that Ireland, at the heart of the EU, will maintain the integrity of the Single Market, which is critical. We see our place as being at the heart of Europe. We see the benefits for the Irish people, the Irish agrifood business, farmers and food producers to be at the heart of a European Union that is a trading bloc of 500 million people. As a very active member of...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agri-Strategy 2025 (8 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: The sustainable healthy agri-food research plan, SHARP, was developed and published in 2015 in response to the then Government's national research prioritisation exercise, NRPE. The plan has guided our key research priorities over recent years in respect of the competitive funding programmes we operate. My Department, as part of its agri-food strategy to 2030 will, in due course, develop...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agri-Strategy 2025 (8 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: The national research prioritisation exercise and how it related to SHARP was born out of the wake of the financial crisis. The then Government established an independent group of mainly external experts to identify priority areas for research funding under competitively operated programmes based on set criteria. Two of those areas were smart, sustainable food production and processing and...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agri-Strategy 2025 (8 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: Devising strategy is an ongoing and ever-evolving process. The Department and I are absolutely determined to identify new opportunities for our premier producers to improve and supplement their income. There are huge opportunities in a number of areas. When we talk about environmental elements, it tends to be with a fairly negative approach insofar as they may impact on agriculture,...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Food Exports (8 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: The Deputy makes a valid point. With any new start-up, whether innovative or otherwise, there are challenges of scale and of ramping up all of the competences within that company quickly enough for it to be able to put its best foot forward. From the political perspective, the Minister and I use our good offices to open those opportunities. Working closely with the State agencies, we try...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Food Exports (8 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: The Department has a network of agricultural attachés throughout the embassy network. Through the Department of Foreign Affairs and the embassy network, we have increased significantly the footprint of Irish diplomats and supports all across the world. The Bord Bia team is phenomenal. In my short time in the Department and in this role, I have been impressed by the young dynamic...

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Food Exports (8 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: Gaining third country market access and opening up trading opportunities throughout the world for Irish exports has long been integral to the Department’s strategic approach to the development of the agrifood sector. This has grown increasingly important as we deal with the challenges presented by both the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit. While trade missions will continue to play a key...

Finance Bill 2020: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: I would like to follow up on the points made by Deputy Canney on this International Day of People with Disabilities. I am sure the Ceann Comhairle will join me in supporting the County Kildare Access Network's light up Kildare purple week. That is what I am doing with this mask here today. The proposal before the House with regard to the accelerated capital allowance addresses the issues...

Finance Bill 2020: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Martin Heydon: I will begin by thanking the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, and his officials in the Department of Finance for their work and co-operation on this very important measure, which has been a goal of mine since my appointment as Minister of State with special responsibility for farm safety. This is one of a range of measures I have wanted to introduce. The purpose of it is twofold, as the Minister,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (18 Nov 2020)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for that point, which I take on board. I share the seriousness the Deputy places on this particular development and its overall impact in that part of the State and for the dairy sector in general. Given its importance I will not be drawn into speaking about it specifically because I do not want to prejudice any matter before the courts. Suffice to say, I believe that...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Planning Issues (18 Nov 2020)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Cahill for raising this important issue. He will understand, however, that due to it being sub judiceand before a judicial review that I do not want to get into the specifics of the matter. I do not want to prejudice any matter before the courts. In general, however, I understand the concern which the Deputy raises. It is an issue of which I was aware. The importance which...

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Motion (10 Nov 2020)

Martin Heydon: I am very happy to vote to express confidence in our Tánaiste and the Government today. I will spend my limited time expanding on my confidence in Tánaiste, on which I look forward to voting shortly, because we all know the amendment to the motion tabled by Sinn Féin has nothing to do with him. It is all about Sinn Féin's focus on political game playing. In June 2020,...

General Practitioner Contract: Statements (3 Nov 2020)

Martin Heydon: It is shameful.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Preparations (3 Nov 2020)

Martin Heydon: There has been extensive engagement with all stakeholders in this regard. We are doing all the work we can. It is important that those who export engage with ferry companies, which have said direct ferry sailings options are available. My Department has been very active in encouraging all such elements. There has been significant co-operation with the Department of Transport because of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Preparations (3 Nov 2020)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Durkan for the question. There are two parts to this issue. The first is increasing third country market access and furthering trade opportunities. This is absolutely critical and is an integral part of my Department's response to the challenges of Brexit. My Department has been very active in this regard through trade missions and leveraging our network of agricultural...