Results 161-180 of 2,969 for speaker:Martin Heydon

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (3 May 2023)

Martin Heydon: ACRES, which has been raised here, is a hugely popular scheme with farmers. While we had a target of attracting 30,000 farmers into the scheme, it was oversubscribed and 46,000 farmers applied for it. Great work was done in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to be able to facilitate all of those applicants and meet the huge level of demand from farmers. I am not familiar...

Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022: Report Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: He never said that. He said in the Chamber yesterday that he would meet them.

Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022: Report Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: He said it clearly in the House yesterday. The Deputy can check the record of the House from yesterday. He said he would be in the Dáil between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022: Report Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: Do not misrepresent what he said.

Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022: Report Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: He met them.

Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022: Report Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: That was because he was in the House. The Deputy knows that.

Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022: Report Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: Sorry nothing. Do not misrepresent it.

Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022: Report Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: I will call the Deputy out when he is not telling the truth.

Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022: Report Stage (26 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: It was Questions to the Taoiseach.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Industry (20 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: I am in complete agreement with Deputy Durkan on this point. When we talk about these competing factors, one thing sometimes gets lost in this debate. When we talk about food security, some people think food security is us just producing enough food for ourselves and do not worry about Ireland having to export all the food we export. This is not the right approach. Out of 113 countries,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Industry (20 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for giving us the opportunity to debate this important point in the House. They are not mutually exclusive points. I am in agreement with the Deputy that we can do this. This Government will support farmers to continue to produce safe, nutritious and top-quality food - nutrient-dense food that is needed around the world for our growing population. We will support them...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Supports (20 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: Come on.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (20 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: We would love the sheep sector to be able to qualify for funding under the Brexit adjustment reserve, but it is not easy to prove the current challenges faced by the sector are directly linked to Brexit. The big challenges from Brexit are down the line and the medium-term risks are related to future trade deals. The EU will make deals. The UK has not done yet done the deals with New...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (20 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: The Deputies should have no doubt that we recognise the importance of the sheep sector. We want a vibrant one in the future and understand the challenges it has faced. A specific question was on the Brexit adjustment reserve. In this regard, it is right that we sweat every opportunity and analyse every avenue where there might be funding we can secure. Making the specific case has not...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Industry (20 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this really important issue. He is dead right in that, as we face the challenge of combating the worst effects of climate change, we face competing demands. I am always struck by the UN sustainability goals, of which there are 17. One is about addressing climate change. The second one is about having zero hunger in the world by 2030. In the context of a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (20 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising this important question. A vibrant sheep sector is as an integral element of a balanced regional economy and sheep farmers are committed to producing a world-class, safe and sustainable product. Although there has been a solid and sustained increase in average sheep prices since the end of February, I recognise that sheep farmers are experiencing more...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: Do as I say, not as I do.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Apr 2023)

Martin Heydon: In response to Deputy Danny Healy-Rae's points and questions, I reassure the House that farmers are, with the help of the State, on a journey to improve our biodiversity and ensure the food we produce is produced more sustainably into the future while continuing to produce the top-quality, safe and nutritious food that is trusted across the world. It is intrinsic to our economic prosperity,...

Irish Sheep Sector: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: I am delighted to have the opportunity to discuss the important area of the sheep sector. It is something that has been raised on the floor of this House by colleagues from all sides, in fairness, as we all recognise the challenges faced by our sheep farmers this winter and into this spring. I have spoken previously about the significant contribution sheep farming makes to rural Ireland....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Dillon for raising what is a really important issue and something I have discussed this issue with farmers throughout the country. Farmers have concerns around the new nitrates rules. These rules are in place to ensure there is an improvement in water quality, which is something all farmers have a commitment to and share that commitment. Understandably, farmers have concerns...