Results 141-160 of 2,933 for speaker:Martin Heydon

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...

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: Will we just make them homeless next Christmas, just after Santa Claus.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Supports (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: As I said, there is an opportunity in the online form filling element for farmers and for us. I will give the Deputy a very clear commitment here. We constantly review how our systems work. This will be a really challenging year. The first year of a new CAP scheme, with all of the new IT systems, is very challenging for us. If we see a trend of a significant number of farmers all making...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Inshore Fisheries (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: I accept the passion the Deputy has for this topic. In answer to the specific question she put down, I am happy to state very clearly that it is still our intention to implement the programme for Government commitment in this regard. Obviously, I am not going to comment on the legal case before the courts or the length of time that matter is taking. I can give the Deputy the reassurance,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Inshore Fisheries (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: The Deputy will understand that it is not possible for me to pre-empt the court decision. However, I will state very clearly that I take on board the concerns raised by the Deputy. Prior to the issuing of the court's ruling, however, we are not in a position to apply the original policy of December 2018 because it is before the courts. We look forward to the decision. The Deputy...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Supports (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I know form-filling and all the rest is a constant source of frustration. I will put on the record of the House, as I have done previously, that I am a farmer. I come from a farming background. My wife and I still have an active farm in south Kildare. It is frustrating that this is happening. Maybe I came come into this role of Minister of State...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Supports (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: It will come up in the next one. I will answer it if I can. I answered a question earlier about when the Department had to introduce mandatory online form filling. Many people made the point that the average age of our farmers is 57 or higher. We have so many farmers in their 70s trying to navigate an IT system. There was huge concern that we would not be able to manage that. People...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Inshore Fisheries (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Department and I continue to work on the commitment set out in the programme for Government on the banning of pair trawling inside the 6-mile limit as a matter of priority. In December 2018, following a public consultation process, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced that vessels over 18 metres would be excluded from...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Schemes (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. When the question was tabled, the matter to which it relates was topical for all farmers. Thankfully, we have had good progress since then, allowing me to give the Deputy a positive response. The agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, is the central agri-environment climate measure in Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Schemes (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: The advance payment is one feature of our payments system that we have managed to handle very well until now. It is a key component that farmers are used to but, obviously, a lot of pressure is being put on our system with that. Among the applications that have been submitted, I am not sure off the top of my head what the advance payment amounts to but we are going to get it in during the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Agriculture Schemes (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: The advance payment will be paid in the fourth quarter and the balance will be paid in early 2024. One point that is of key concern to farmers is that the decision letters are scheduled to issue from 8 March, yesterday. A certain number of applications were found to be invalid and a decision letter, notifying applicants of any rejections, giving the reason for the rejection and providing a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Forestry Sector (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: The Deputy has made a couple of important points. I will go back to BIM, raise his points with it and ask for a response. There is no public record or register of fishermen in Ireland. Most are employed as share fishermen, that is, they are self-employed. In administering the scheme, BIM cannot check whether or how long any individual crewman has worked on a specific fishing vessel....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fishing Industry (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: As the Deputy is aware, Ireland has never made any claims to, nor has Ireland ever recognised UK sovereignty claims over, Rockall. Accordingly, it has not recognised a 12 nautical mile territorial sea around it. This remains the position of the Government. The Government has been in contact with the relevant Scottish and UK authorities on Rockall over recent years and intensively since...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fishing Industry (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: This is a matter that involves more than the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The Department of Foreign Affairs has a key role to play. I will outline some of the interventions made by Government in recent times. As Taoiseach, the Minister, Deputy Martin, last discussed the matter of Rockall with Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, at the end of last year. It was...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fishing Industry (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: I have clearly outlined the approach of the Government to this. We have a long-standing Government policy which has not changed. Our policy is very clear regarding the position of Rockall and we continue to engage diplomatically. We have a key role to play in our engagement with our partners in Scotland. I have outlined the steps that have been taken and which we will continue to take....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Forestry Sector (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: I thank Deputy Barry for raising this matter. In its report "Navigating Change" the seafood task force included in its recommendations the introduction of a voluntary permanent cessation scheme. A condition specified by the task force was that the premium paid to vessel owners under this scheme would include crew costs. These crew payments were based on a provision in the European...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Forestry Sector (9 Mar 2023)

Martin Heydon: In regard to migrants, the scheme is, as I outlined, whether the crew member is a migrant or otherwise, fishers who worked at sea on board a vessel concerned by the permanent cessation, for at least 90 days per year in the last two calendar years. I will revert to the Deputy on the very specific nature of his questions. I do not have the response to that now. There are a number of terms...