Results 341-360 of 755 for speaker:Pippa Hackett
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Nov 2022)
Pippa Hackett: Excuse me. I did clarify that it was not broken down and that it was an overall figure. In terms of volume, amount, and value, we do export more peat than we import, however-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Nov 2022)
Pippa Hackett: One of the reasons we took on Seamus Boland as an independent was to examine the stocks and to see where they were. The Deputy looks puzzled.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Nov 2022)
Pippa Hackett: Personally, I have not engaged.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Nov 2022)
Pippa Hackett: The Deputy can nod his head all he likes. The engagements we had were through an independent expert. We recruited Seamus Boland to do that. That was the initial remit of his recruitment, however, through the lack of engagement he got from the sector, we are still in the dark in terms of who has what.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Nov 2022)
Pippa Hackett: Some of it is.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Nov 2022)
Pippa Hackett: I do not have the breakdown because the CSO figures do not differentiate, but some of it is.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Nov 2022)
Pippa Hackett: To use such language as the sector "is going to go under" is unfair. It is not going to go under.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Nov 2022)
Pippa Hackett: The sector will not go under. I accept there are associated costs with peat if people are having to import peat. The sector is under pressure not just because of peat. As the Senator mentioned, there are issues with labour and energy costs. My Department addressed the added pressures in the sector with its horticultural exceptional payment scheme this year, which was a €2.8 million...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Nov 2022)
Pippa Hackett: We need that engagement and that engagement has not been forthcoming.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Nov 2022)
Pippa Hackett: As the Deputy highlighted, it is an incredibly difficult place. The recommendations in the report will be examined. It needs a cross-government approach. In response to some of the comments, I do not know if I would agree that it is harsh to say that people did not engage. My understanding is that only five out of 90 did not.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Nov 2022)
Pippa Hackett: I do not think it is fair to say nothing is happening. We are moving along a course and, as I have said from the start, it is incredibly difficult. Not all of it lies within my responsibility to change and effect change and I know the Deputy appreciates that-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Nov 2022)
Pippa Hackett: I am not responsible for peat extraction.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Nov 2022)
Pippa Hackett: We acknowledged that there is-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Nov 2022)
Pippa Hackett: It is a matter for the Minister with responsibility for planning, if that Minister is invited. People seem to imply the Minister has been invited many times. It is a matter for that Minister. I accepted the invitation. I accept that-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Impact of Peat Shortages on the Horticulture Industry: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Nov 2022)
Pippa Hackett: I accept there is an added cost for producers to import peat. If supply demands cannot be met by the extractors in Ireland, they have to look to alternative sources.
- Seanad: Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021: Committee Stage (8 Nov 2022)
Pippa Hackett: I extend my thanks to Senator Martin for introducing this Bill and his interest in this area. His honey is delicious. I fully acknowledge, as does my Department, the important contribution bees make not only to agriculture but also to biodiversity as both pollinators and as honey producers. My Department supports the important work of all the beekeeping associations in Ireland in the...
- Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (25 Oct 2022)
Pippa Hackett: Last week my Department opened two new schemes which are positive for farmers, climate, biodiversity and water quality and will help us to reach our targets in the agricultural sector. The agri climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, and the organic farming scheme are fantastic opportunities, but we still hear some criticism. I suspect it comes from those who are not joining either scheme....
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Renewable Energy Generation (19 Oct 2022)
Pippa Hackett: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. This is a pertinent issue that arises frequently. I welcome the opportunity to provide an update on solar applications for farmers under TAMS. TAMS is an on-farm investment scheme co-funded by the EU. Under the current EU regulations and the new CAP strategic plan, it is not permitted to sell excess energy generated by grant-aided investments...
- Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Renewable Energy Generation (19 Oct 2022)
Pippa Hackett: This has come up on a number of occasions in recent months and indeed years. I understand we have examined this with the Commission. I agree some farms have roof space, but that potential will not be achieved through the TAMS grant which is for the purpose of consumption on the farm and those are the rules attached to it. However, it does not stop farmers examining other options and...
- Seanad: Breastfeeding: Motion (12 Oct 2022)
Pippa Hackett: I second the motion.