The provision of interim CAP measures for the transitional period between the current rural development programme and the post-2020 CAP strategic plan is closely related to progress on the transitional regulations, which will provide a range of options for member states to deploy over the period. Since their publication in November 2019, the transitional regulations have been subject to extensive discussions between the European Council, the European Parliament and the Commission.  A common understanding was reache…

This is something the Deputy has raised regularly in the past. I accept the importance of ensuring that the income stream from environmental schemes, which has been very important for farmers, continues. In addition, there are the environmental outcomes and contributions to biodiversity and we do not want to see a missed opportunity to ensure those outcomes continue. Certainly, it is my objective to ensure that we have a continuation into next year for those who are coming out of GLAS and that we do not have gaps a…

I thank Deputies Ó Cuív and Carthy. I indicated that the Commission has a preference for a one-year transition but it is becoming increasingly clear that a two-year transition will be required. If it is to be two years, it is important that we give clarity on the schemes and that the funding is there to ensure the income streams they produce for farmers continue as well. That will be an objective of mine over the coming weeks. I have been engaging comprehensively with farmer representative organisations to take on …

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Mac Lochlainn for raising this issue today and giving me the opportunity to discuss it in the House. At the outset, I want to congratulate him on his appointment as marine spokesperson for Sinn Féin. Both of us come from the county of Donegal and will have fishing, the marine and aquaculture very much in our hearts and I look forward to working with him very constructively in that regard, as I know he does. We are discussing the European Union Common Fisheries Policy points systems …

As I said, I will meet the sector next week. The Deputy and I both value their voice, contribution and what they have to say on behalf of the fishermen they represent. They very much recognise the need for a statutory instrument. My party engaged thoroughly with them at the time in terms of their concerns and they were discussed thoroughly in the Dáil. The statutory instrument which has been signed takes on board some of the amendments proposed, including two in particular. Others which had been proposed were adjud…

I thank the Regional Group for bringing this motion before the House and facilitating a debate on the matter. It has provided an opportunity for the Minister and me to outline the Government's position and support for this motion. I thank all of the Members who have spoken for their contributions and I know that the Minister and the Government are grateful that this Bill has such a high level of cross-party support. The motion before us calls for the immediate establishment of the Select Committee on Justice and th…

I thank the Deputies for their statements and contributions to this important debate. As the Taoiseach outlined, discussion on the MFF and the next generation EU recovery package will form the focus of this week's European Council. The goal of the Council President, Mr. Charles Michel, is to bring to a conclusion the process that began with the Commission's presentation of its proposals for the MFF in May 2018. Since then, discussions have taken place at the General Affairs Council and at successive meetings of the…

I thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, and Deputy Ó Murchú for the good wishes on my recent appointment. On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and myself, I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for raising this serious matter. I begin by strongly condemning the criminal damage by fire caused by the attack on the family on Sunday, 5 July, in Dundalk, County Louth, and the terrible distress for them and all members of the family due to the terrible danger in which they found themselves. It also caused distress to the local community…

An Garda Síochána continues to tackle proactively all forms of drug crime. I know from Deputy Ó Murchú's contribution that it is making a tremendous effort in Dundalk, but that needs to continue and to be supported. The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau is having significant success in disrupting drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs as well as organised crime groups. From the bureau's establishment in March 2015 until the end of June this year, it seized, for example, illicit drugs to a va…

I support the countermotion being put forward this evening. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on children and parents, with many families experiencing significant stress due to the lack of supports and childcare over the last period of time. The restrictions imposed over recent months have had a particularly adverse effect on mothers and newborn babies. The Government is extremely sympathetic to families who have had their lives upended. We are committed to enabling parents to have extended time with t…

I wish to share time with Deputies Cahill, Niall Collins, Michael Moynihan and Devlin.

As part of the annual transition statements on climate change and low-carbon development, I welcome the opportunity to discuss the role of agriculture in meeting and playing its part in the transition. It is important to note the starting point of agriculture in the transition. We are efficient in how we produce food and, globally, our food is recognised to be of a very high quality. It is one of the key drivers of exports, with the agrifood sector employing 250,000 people. As a nation, we are an outlier in terms o…

I thank the Ministers, Deputies Humphreys and Creed, for their statements to the Dáil this evening. It is very disappointing, however, that the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris is not in the Chamber. Given that we are here tonight to talk about the impact of Covid-19 infections in meat plants, in neither of their statements did the Ministers give an up-to-date position to the House on the number of positive cases or the number of clusters in meat factories throughout the State currently. This is a glaring omissio…

I am sharing time with Deputies Jackie Cahill and Michael Moynihan. I welcome the opportunity to speak in the Dáil today. It is important that we address the need for additional support for the agricultural sector because, unfortunately, the response so far has not recognised the pressure that agriculture and farmers are under, particularly the pressure that the beef sector has experienced. The response at Commission level has been totally insufficient. There is significant market disturbance in place. Farmers, in …