I thank Deputy Lowry for raising this important matter which is a significant issue in his constituency. We have an interim scheme in place, which I introduced recently along with the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. It has improved the terms and conditions and improved supports on the previous scheme. We are also continuing to review how we go forward on this issue. I have made it clear that any improvements that we bring in will apply to those who move now to the interim scheme, so there is no disadvantage to …

I thank Deputy Cahill for raising this matter. I recognise his advocacy for the implementation of a new forestry programme. I also recognise his strong advocacy in regard to ash dieback and the need to support forestry owners whose lands are affected by this disease to reconstitute and replant. On the new forestry programme, we continue to engage with the European Commission in regard to submitting that and getting as quick a reply as possible. In the meantime, the radically increased new premium rates of up to 66%…

That is being backed by the massive funding that the Government is committing to it.

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which is close to his heart. He has shown massive commitment to it in the past and has been involved with it for many years. I have worked with him on it in recent times. I was glad to meet the management of the racecourse with the Deputy a few weeks ago to be updated on its concerns for the future and hear about its desire to ensure the track can continue. I assure the Deputy that I will continue to work with him in the context of his objective of ensuring there is a str…

I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss this important issue and cover a sector that, as someone who grew up on a sheep and suckler farm in County Donegal, is close to my heart. This sector is an important part of our agricultural industry and a critical component of our multibillion euro export sector. Ireland and the sheep sector are intrinsically linked, with sheep being part of our cultural identity. Sheep have become part of the image of Ireland, adorning the postcards of tourists sent to family and frien…

They are on the way over.

Whether someone is a part-time or full-time farmer, and regardless of size or scale, no one can question the commitment and hard work of sheep farmers across the country. From lambing ewes in the middle of a stormy night to keeping the flock healthy and well over the spring and summer, it is hard work. In some instances, it is a labour of love. Overall, though, the sheep sector is a rewarding one and the demand for Irish product in many key markets shows the importance of what we do at farm level. A viable sheep se…

I will take this. I thank Deputy Ó Cathasaigh for the question. I know this is an issue to which he is strongly committed. I am also very committed to it. The previous Minister, Deputy Creed, initiated a process with regard to banning vessels of a certain size from the six mile zone. I agreed with that policy at the time. I believe it was the right policy. Unfortunately, the process was challenged in the courts on a number of grounds. We only received the judgment last week, which was made on one very small point. …

I thank Deputy Quinlivan for the question. This is something I have been working on with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris. There is a need and demand for additional veterinary medicine places. We are not training enough domestically to meet the demand. The Minister, Deputy Harris, has initiated a process with the Higher Education Authority around inviting and accepting applications from across the country to provide those additional places. A process is …

I thank Senator McGreehan for raising this important topic. I have always seen the need to help to provide supports to make farm equipment, farm machinery and farmyards more accessible for persons with disabilities. I am very conscious of ensuring that persons with a disability who are farming receive the appropriate supports, as I know Senator McGreehan is too. Recently I announced the new targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS 3, with a budget of €370 million. It will provide funding for capital investm…

I do not have the figures on the uptake so far. It was a first-time initiative that was innovative in looking at the disability challenges that existed at farm level, and from a Government point of view, we have been working to support that. Alongside that, we are doing significant work in the farm safety space as well, given many of the challenges relating to disability can result from on-farm accidents. Farming is, unfortunately, the most dangerous occupation. Despite the fact it can be fulfilling, it is dangerou…

I thank Senator Dooley for raising this matter. It reflects his commitment to representing the agriculture sector across County Clare. I begin by saying that I fully recognise the importance to the rural economy of maintaining Ireland’s nitrates derogation. I am committed to seeking to maintain it in the longer term. We want the derogation to be maintained and continued. As the Senator pointed out, it helps to support productive family farms and support the rural economy. To do this and maintain it, we must all act…

I thank the Senator for raising this today. I acknowledge the concern among many farmers, particularly those who are more highly stocked. There is a particular concern among medium and small farmers on the impact any change from 250 to 220 would have on them. We had to agree to the mid-term review, and to the fact that 250 could be reduced to 220 in certain catchments if water quality was not improving. I am preparing a case to engage further with the European Commission to see if we can get further flexibility aro…

I thank the Deputy for the question. It is obviously a really important issue and there have been a number of really distressing incidents over the past two or three months in particular. It is an issue that the Government takes very seriously. The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and I are in the two Departments that have responsibility for overseeing the issue of dog control. We established a working group, which has completed its report. We will shortly bring proposals to Cabinet on that and further legislation will …

I thank Deputy Healy-Rae. This issue concerns many farmers. The nitrates derogation is not something that we are guaranteed. We have to apply for it at European level. The standard stocking rate across Europe, which is a common market area, is 170 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare per annum. A state can apply for a derogation, which other member states have to vote to give. If a state gets that derogation, it means that it can stock at a rate of 250 kg of organic nitrogen per year. We received the derogation up to…

The challenge with the derogation is that we are not guaranteed it. We have to work for it and secure it from other member states. I am conscious of it and will engage on it further, along with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and his team, and the European Commission.

I thank the Senator for raising this Commencement matter. It is a topic both us of are excited about. We are at the precipice of seeking huge transformation and it will be driven largely by the farm families of Ireland. Anaerobic digestion and the indigenous production of biomethane is a clear commitment within the climate action plan 2023. This plan sets a target of up to 5.7 TWh of biomethane, which will be a threefold increase on the ambition within the previous climate action plan. I emphasise that the delivery…

I will come back to the Senator with specific written updates on the two points she has raised. Overall, we want to step this out promptly and get our national strategy together by quarter 3 of this year. That is kicking off and the consultants are being appointed who will put it together. The industry is looking for national direction and policy clarity on stepping it forward. It is about producing energy. Biomethane is energy so the Department of energy will have a significant role. We want to ensure that when pl…

I thank Deputy Fitzmaurice for his contribution today and thank other Deputies for their very wide-ranging and mostly well thought-out contributions from across the floor the last time we were discussing this Bill. It has been a positive start to the legislative journey through the Dáil and the Seanad. I will certainly be taking on board the various contributions made by Deputies to the debate. To recap, we fully accept that animal herd health planning and good husbandry practices are the starting point in optimisi…

I want to ensure, first of all, that the structure we put in place means that the lines of supply and the means for people to purchase product are available and can continue, while ensuring that there is a robust veterinary input and oversight. Many of these products are overused. I was listening to Deputy Cahill, who as the Deputy is aware, is the Chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, when he made his contribution last week. He outlined how on his farm they have totally chang…