Results 21-40 of 5,615 for speaker:Andrew Doyle

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Forestry Management (27 Nov 2019)

Andrew Doyle: As I said, we are acutely aware of the challenges and the implications of not getting this sorted for the sector. It affects approvals, new plantations and felling. There is pressure to have enough timber to plan for the period ahead. We are working on this and we are confident we will have a solution. That is all I can say.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Forestry Management (27 Nov 2019)

Andrew Doyle: I acknowledge applications to my Department for forestry licences are facing unacceptable delays at present. I am glad to have the opportunity today to give some background to these delays and to provide details on what is being done to alleviate the issue. These delays are as a result of changes made to internal appropriate assessment procedures, AAPs, which are beyond my...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Organic Farming Scheme (27 Nov 2019)

Andrew Doyle: There were two applications. One was accepted and the other failed.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Organic Farming Scheme (27 Nov 2019)

Andrew Doyle: Two applied. The breakdown of unsuccessful applicants was five in cereals, 70 in beef, and 28 in lamb. Returning to the press statement when I opened the scheme that on the recommendation of the group, which had all the stakeholders, that this would be targeted in areas where there was a specific market deficit. As I said in my opening response, 50 marks were based on size but there were...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Organic Farming Scheme (27 Nov 2019)

Andrew Doyle: I set up an organic strategy group last year. This was one of its recommendations. It published a forward implementation programme and plan that deals with all the issues. I advise the Deputy to study that.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Organic Farming Scheme (27 Nov 2019)

Andrew Doyle: That is what we are doing.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Organic Farming Scheme (27 Nov 2019)

Andrew Doyle: The organic farming scheme is one of the most successful schemes under our current rural development programme. A budget of €56 million was allocated to fund the scheme during the period 2014 to 2020, which was the largest allocation ever to an organics support scheme. The scheme has more than achieved its targets in new land converted and the maintenance of organic land. Latest...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Nov 2019)

Andrew Doyle: My information is that payments under the beef basic payment scheme are ahead of where they were last year. Based on the figures, there are no delays. As usual, herd numbers are being randomly selected for inspection as demanded by the European Court of Auditors. 3 o’clock These are being expedited. As I said to the Deputy last week, if he knows of specific cases, he should...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (14 Nov 2019)

Andrew Doyle: I have publicly acknowledged the difficulties being encountered. There is a delay but we have put a number of measures in place. New procedures are being developed. We are well aware of the issues. This has arisen, in the main, on foot of appropriate assessments and judgments of the European Court of Justice against Ireland, to which we have to adhere. We are, however, working hard on...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Fire Safety (14 Nov 2019)

Andrew Doyle: The provision of fire services is a statutory function of fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. My Department supports fire authorities mainly through providing a national legislative framework, setting national policy and developing guidance on operational and other fire service related matters and through capital funding towards appliances and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Aquaculture Licences (13 Nov 2019)

Andrew Doyle: I thank the Senator. I will deal with his specific questions in the second part of my contribution. An aquaculture licence is required by law for the cultivation of finfish, shellfish and certain marine plants such as seaweed. My Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Act 1933 and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Aquaculture Licences (13 Nov 2019)

Andrew Doyle: I will certainly bring the Senator's concerns back to the Department but I must call out one thing. In his first contribution, the Senator inferred that the Marine Institute was not independent. This is carried out on behalf of the Department. It is the applicants who have made the application, not the Department. I will defend the independence of the Marine Institute and I do not think...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Foreign Conflicts (12 Nov 2019)

Andrew Doyle: I thank the Senator. As the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney, is preparing for parliamentary questions in the Lower House, I have been asked to take this Commencement matter. I am aware of the difficult situation that exits for human rights defenders and indigenous leaders in Colombia and of the worrying levels of violence, threats and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Foreign Conflicts (12 Nov 2019)

Andrew Doyle: I thank the Senator. It is obvious that he is very engaged with and understands this situation. I can say from my personal knowledge that the former Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, is equally committed to this process and has spent a lot of time on it. He was there when the initial peace process came to a false dawn and did not come to pass. He has...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Nov 2019)

Andrew Doyle: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. Remote sensing is not random as I understand. I think he suggested that it was.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (6 Nov 2019)

Andrew Doyle: There is a difference between what is selected as a problem and what is selected at random. The issue of 85% being paid has come up time and again. I understand the auditors do not accept that methodology, something with which I have sympathy. There are payment runs twice a week at the moment. It is expected that everybody will be paid as quickly as possible. I have been in that position...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Garda Resources (24 Oct 2019)

Andrew Doyle: I am making this statement on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, who would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. The allocation of Garda resources is also a matter for the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Garda Resources (24 Oct 2019)

Andrew Doyle: I will take home the message about the Garda overtime ban. As I said, it is a matter for the Commissioner and his team in the first instance but the Deputy has touched on a valid point about the co-ordination that is needed between the various different services, the local authority, the emergency crews and everyone else to prevent and mitigate against any possible outcomes. On Garda...

An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (22 Oct 2019)

Andrew Doyle: The Deputy is right that the forum was scheduled to meet last Monday. I understand the chairperson of the beef task force has been engaged in bilateral talks with each party to try to get movement. That is in the interests of everybody, as the Deputy said. The weather has deteriorated and stocks are building. There is a knock-on effect in the marts, with store cattle not having the same...

Topical Issue Debate: Beef Industry (17 Oct 2019)

Andrew Doyle: On the final point made by Deputy Fitzmaurice, the chairman has shown leadership. He and officials from the Department passed through the group outside Agriculture House to meet other farm organisations that had declined the offer to meet him in the Department. He will continue his engagement of bilateral discussions with each stakeholder. I cannot indicate a date at this point. I wish...