I outlined in my initial response the efforts that have been made and that a very close focus has been kept on this in my Department as to the impact this could have here and the need to protect the interests of farm families. The business model of our farm families in this country is very much dependent on the fact we are a small, open nation that exports 90% of the food and drink we produce here. Therefore, as an exporting nation, trade deals are very important. In respect of our place in Europe, it is the case w…

As I outlined earlier, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is the lead Department in trade policy but it takes a very clear direction and has very close contact with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on such matters. This is an area in which we obviously have a clear insight in respect of the sensitivities that would have an impact on Irish farm families. Tariffs on EU exports to New Zealand will go down to zero from day one of application of the agreement, which is important to bear…

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I also thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Discussions are ongoing at governmental level across all sectors and range over the points in respect of emissions targets. The Deputy raised a valid point, which is that farmers and our farming sector have been on a journey of transition for some time. We continue to produce our food more efficiently and with a better carbon profile. That is our ambition and farmers are adopting new measures through a range of approaches. We wan…

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I know it is of great importance to those in coastal regions. As he will be aware, the Department considers applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, to which he referred, the Foreshore Act 1933 and applicable national and EU legislation. There are a number of statutory timeframes set out in the legislation in respect of aquaculture. The licensing process involves consultations with a wide range of scien…

I thank the Senator for highlighting those specific points. He makes a valid point. Notwithstanding all the timelines I outlined, he pointed to an understandable concern among local communities. If a process is taking as long to come through as the one in Kinsale to which he referred, the community would be justified in feeling frustrated. As he stated, it is important to keep the focus on that. It is a complex process. I outlined clearly in my initial response the challenges that are involved. As a State and a Sta…

I thank the Deputies for raising a very important issue. I have had engagement with people who live in Lough Funshinagh and the surrounding areas. I know the stress and strain that is on all the families in that local community. I am taking this Topical Issue matter on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, OPW, Deputy O’Donovan. He sends his apologies that due to prior engagements he is unfortunately not able to be here today. The Minister of State is very aware of the …

I thank the Deputies for raising those specific points, which I will bring to the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, and our colleagues in government. Be it a multi-agency task force or a co-ordinated national strategy, I will take the Deputies' suggestions on board. This Topical Issue matter was directed to the OPW and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan's office. As I outlined, the OPW is effectively the contractor that physically gets the work done after other agencies, for example, local authorities or De…

The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications sends his apologies as he is unable to be with us today. On his behalf, I wish to thank and express an appreciation to Deputy Leddin, members of the committee and the various stakeholders who met with the committee, for their work and leadership in developing this comprehensive report. This report is an important distillation of complex analysis that both sets out the scale of the challenge in transport succinctly and points the way to how we can together…

Deputy McNamara proves that with the best of good intentions, it is difficult for us to control our emissions and to keep them in check as much as we would like. I respectfully disagree with his point about the report being finito as soon as it has been compiled. In my opening address, I clearly outlined the progress made since the report's publication and how it is very much a living document. As for his concerns about emissions, our programme for Government clearly refers to the different approaches to different …

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The recent publication of the European Commission's communication, Sustainable Carbon Cycles, has sent a clear signal to European member states on the need to increase the ambition and participation of our land managers in the area of carbon removals and reductions. Under the recently updated all-of-government Climate Action Plan 2021, the Government has committed to “explore the development of a carbon farming model”. This commitment is in recognition of the im…

The challenge is to have a baseline. We need to have a baseline so we can adequately market in the future the activities of farmers. Should we have been doing this earlier than recent years? Probably. If we had our baseline from five or ten years ago, we would be in a stronger position now, but that is why the investment we are undertaking now is so important. It is critical to have a meaningful carbon farming option and income stream for farmers into the future. That is why our investment in the national agricultu…

I respectfully disagree with the suggestion the Government is sitting on its hands. We have talked about the national agricultural soil carbon observatory, which is obviously important, and the flux towers in different locations are a key component of that. These will be established through working with the Teagasc signpost programme. We also have the pilot soil sampling programme, which is very important. EIP projects such as the results-based environmental agri pilot and farm payments for ecological and agricultu…

I thank Senator Boylan for raising the matter. At the upcoming European AGRIFISH Council meeting, the Cyprus delegation will share information with Ministers regarding the establishment of a new legislative framework for an EU positive list for the keeping of companion animals, as the Senator has outlined. Officials in the Department are awaiting the detailed wording of proposal of the Cypriot Government, and the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, will consider this carefully in advance of the meeting on 24 May. Separat…

The Department has a proud history in supporting the welfare of animals, whether through policy initiatives, the provision of advice and guidance, financial assistance to farmers to help them improve their facilities, and financial support to animal welfare charities. Last year we launched Ireland's first overarching animal welfare strategy, reflecting the Government's clear commitment to animal welfare. The strategy is backed by resources and expertise in the Department and involves dialogue and co-operation with …

I thank Senator Byrne for raising what is an important issue. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris. We are very aware of the demand that exists for places in higher education. Demographic factors mean demand will only increase in the coming years and we must work to ensure there is a place in third level education for everyone who wants one. Our higher education system has already expanded considerably over the past number of years. As the Senator outlined, full-time graduat…

I thank the Senator for his follow-up response. We are committed to supporting a balanced further and higher education system which has a multitude of pathways for learners to follow. The action plan for apprenticeships sets out new ways of structuring funding and promoting apprenticeship, with a target of 10,000 apprenticeship registrations per year by 2025. In 2021, a record 8,607 new apprentices were registered, an almost 40% increase on the figures in 2019, the last normal pre-pandemic year. We are working to s…

Does everyone want to leave Cork?

We have a welcome opportunity today to discuss the issue of food security. Food production is important for our farmers, our fishers, our rural and coastal communities and wider society. It is important for me, my political party and the Government. You might need a doctor, lawyer, garda or priest once in your life, but three times a day every day, you need a farmer. We cannot take food security for granted or the vital role farmers play in the production of that food. If the situation in Ukraine is to teach us any…

On behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Deputy Simon Coveney, I thank the Senator for raising the matter of the Curragh consultancy study. The Minister has asked me to convey his regrets to the House that he could not be here and has specifically asked me to reassure the Senator that in both his current role and as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who oversaw the development of newly constructed racing stadium, he has a keen appreciation of and affinity with the Currag…

I thank the Senator for her comments and appreciate her interest in this matter. I am aware of her recent announcement that she intends to introduce a Private Members' Bill on the permitted use of the plains. While I do not wish to assume the outcome of the study I think that we can both agree that there is a need to place the management of the plains on a modern footing with which I am sure everyone who lives in proximity to the Curragh Plains will agree. The Senator mentioned the recent illegal encampment. We are…