Parliamentary questions

Horse Racing Industry

Paul Murphy

510. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount paid out by Horse Racing Ireland in 2023 to hunts in point-to-point racing grants and any other funding, and if he will stop this, given that the money is propping up hunt clubs which are involved in bloodsports which the vast majority want banned. [10041/24]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

511. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if releasing a pack of dogs to chase a fox, failing to intervene to stop the dogs from attacking and-or killing the fox, and using terriers to corner and attack foxes when they try to escape underground are contrary to the provisions of the Animal Health and Welfare Act, which states that it is an offence to "do, or fail to do, anything or cause or permit anything to be done to an animal that causes unnecessary suffering to, or endanger the health or welfare of, an animal". [10042/24]

Greyhound Industry

Paul Murphy

512. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will investigate why Greyhound Racing Ireland has categorised an Irish greyhound as "rehomed" after it was informed that the dog had been found straying in the UK in an underweight condition with a mouth "in an appalling state with rotten teeth" and that efforts were being made to find him a home; and if an investigation will be carried out to establish how this Irish-owned greyhound came to be abandoned in the UK. [10043/24]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

391. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the fate of all thoroughbred horses that have been sold to China; and if he is concerned about the announcement that racing is to cease in Macau in April (details supplied). [9001/24]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

392. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given the criticisms raised about animal welfare in China, what procedures his Department has taken to ensure the safety of thoroughbred horses, particularly in the context of the announcement that racing is to cease in Macau in April (details supplied). [9002/24]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

393. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a detailed breakdown of all Irish horses exported to China, Hong Kong and Korea, by year (details supplied). [9003/24]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

394. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1284 of 17 January 2024, received from HRI if he will instruct HRI to provide a breakdown of the ages of the horses sent to slaughter. [9004/24]

Hare Coursing

Paul Murphy

65. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will legislate to ban hare coursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8357/24]

Common Agricultural Policy

Paul Murphy

84. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied with the distribution of CAP direct payments, whereby the top eight recipients received more than €200,000 each, compared with an average payment of less than €9,657; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8355/24]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Paul Murphy

92. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will act to reverse the reduction in the area under tillage in 2022 in light of the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8356/24]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Paul Murphy

97. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it will be necessary for Ireland to reduce dairy and beef production to reach our legally binding greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8358/24]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Paul Murphy

99. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how the sectoral emissions reductions targets for agriculture for the first carbon budget period can now be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8354/24]

Hen Harriers

Paul Murphy

123. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of a campaign (details supplied) in light of stark hen harrier decline; if he will give a Government commitment to the protection of this bird of prey before it is too late; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8183/24]

Live Exports

Paul Murphy

124. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of two complaints (details supplied) submitted to his office; if he will ensure that his Department processes these complaints as a matter of urgency, taking the necessary actions for animal welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8187/24]

Greyhound Industry

Paul Murphy

458. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds injured in racing, trials and sales events in 2023 and to date in 2024; the type of injury in each case; the date and location where they occurred; the number killed outright or euthanised by track vets; the number and causes of additional racing fatalities; and the results of any related post-mortems. [7685/24]

Greyhound Industry

Paul Murphy

459. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the greyhound track attendance statistics for 2023 and to date in 2024, covering both Greyhound Racing Ireland tracks and private tracks; the breakdown of the figures, by attendance at each track, type of entry, that is, paid entry, free entry, entry by adults, children, staff, owners/trainers, bookmakers, press, and so on; and type of event that is, racing, trials, sales, and non-racing events, in tabular form. [7686/24]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

297. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how Horse Racing Ireland and Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board record deaths for the year; if all deaths within 48 hours or due to a direct injury from the track are included in the yearly data (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7183/24]

Agriculture Industry

Paul Murphy

406. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the footage shared of pregnant cows who are being exported to Algeria for the first time (details supplied); if he agrees that forcing a pregnant animal to travel from Ireland to Algeria, with all of the known health risks, is a desperate compromise in welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5544/24]

Agriculture Industry

Paul Murphy

407. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale for the nutrient values ascribed to chicken litter in Ireland; and the reason that figure differs considerably from the value used in Britain and elsewhere.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5548/24]

Greyhound Industry

Paul Murphy

325. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what body or bodies are carrying out the investigation into the fact that an individual (details supplied) was allowed to continue to own and race greyhounds at tracks around this country for up to ten months after they had been banned from owning, keeping or breeding a dog following a conviction for cruelty under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4721/24]

Agriculture Industry

Paul Murphy

447. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide inspection reports from 2019 to the present day for a company (details supplied). [4161/24]

Greyhound Industry

Paul Murphy

467. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he considers the position of a person (details supplied) to be any longer tenable, given that the organisation over which they preside allowed an individual to continue to own and race greyhounds at tracks around this country for up to ten months after the said individual had been banned from owning, keeping or breeding a dog following a conviction for cruelty under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2441/24]

Greyhound Industry

Paul Murphy

487. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he has read the preferred results response to a report by a person (details supplied) about the greyhound industry; and whether he considers its findings should result in a change in Government policy on public support for the greyhound industry.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2959/24]

Agriculture Industry

Paul Murphy

488. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what steps are taken to ensure that the required storage facilities for chicken litter are in fact built after chicken farms are established. [2960/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Paul Murphy

1188. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the annual accounts for Horse Racing Ireland and for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board will be presented. [56503/23]

Greyhound Industry

Paul Murphy

1189. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an investigation is taking place into the export of an Irish greyhound (details supplied) to Hebei Province, China; if Greyhound Racing Ireland is investigating the events surrounding this dog's export to China, including a licensed individual who allegedly tried to register the dog in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56507/23]

Live Exports

Paul Murphy

1197. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the footage posted by an organisation (details supplied) in relation to a livestock vessel which left Greenore Port for Israel on 7 December 2023, with around 3,500 young bulls on board; if he agrees that it is immoral, considering the suffering these animals experience on the journey; if he agrees that it is immoral that Ireland is sending these animals to a state inflicting genocide; if he will stop approving these shipments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56590/23]

Greyhound Industry

Paul Murphy

1250. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how four greyhounds which are still registered in Ireland (details supplied) were exported to Spain; and the action he will take to ensure this does not occur again. [1176/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Paul Murphy

1284. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide the racecourse track deaths for 2023; and the total number of thoroughbreds sent to slaughter for the same period. [1751/24]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

1285. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what steps have been taken to ensure the safety of the calves at the two control posts in Cherbourg-Pignet and Tollevast, for example if CCTV has been installed; what assurances he can give that Irish calves will be safe, given that this is France and not under the jurisdiction of the Irish authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1762/24]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

1286. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what measures have been taken to ensure calf welfare at marts; if there have been any changes to rules around stocking density in the pens, the provision of food, bedding and water; and what checks are being made to ensure calves staying overnight are fed in the evening and morning (details supplied). [1763/24]

Citizens' Assembly

Paul Murphy

14. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the impact that inserting the rights of nature into the Constitution would have on agriculture; whether he supports the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity’s proposal to hold a referendum on the rights of nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55790/23]

Departmental Meetings

Paul Murphy

50. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what engagements he and his officials had with meat and dairy industry lobbyists in relation to his attendance at COP28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55787/23]

Food Industry

Paul Murphy

57. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his position on including the food system in the Global Stocktake documents discussed at COP28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55788/23]

Food Industry

Paul Murphy

64. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline Ireland’s experience in moving to sustainable food systems, as claimed at an event where he spoke in the UAE recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55786/23]

Horse Racing Industry

Paul Murphy

136. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the decision for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board to give up on its own referral case three years, seven months and 13 days after it started investigating, and only a matter of days before the Referral Committee was due to hear the evidence (details supplied); if he will provide confirmation in relation to the reason for this, given the time and expense that went into the investigation; if he will ensure the investigation is carried out to completion by a third party without any bias; his views on whether the IHRB is fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54005/23]

Live Exports

Paul Murphy

434. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will halt live cattle exports to Israel; to provide details of how many shipments of cattle and the number of cattle that have been exported to Israel since 7 October 2023. [53354/23]

Departmental Contracts

Paul Murphy

409. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has any current contracts with any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company; and if so, the value of those contracts. [51038/23]

Departmental Data

Paul Murphy

410. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department or any of its agencies are involved in any exercise, operation, training or research which includes involvement by any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company. [51056/23]

Hare Coursing

Paul Murphy

354. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if hare coursing meetings at Fermoy and Trim, scheduled to take place last weekend, were called off; if so, to outline the reasons for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49563/23]

Greyhound Industry

Paul Murphy

382. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of surgical artificial inseminations carried out on greyhounds between 2012 and 2022; and the number of those inseminations that were carried out with sperm straws collected from now deceased stud dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49625/23]

Greyhound Industry

Paul Murphy

383. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Animal Health and Welfare (Dogs) Bill 2022 will include a ban on surgical artificial inseminations carried out on greyhounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49626/23]

Greyhound Industry

Paul Murphy

384. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the traceability system (RCÉTS) for greyhounds is not utilised to provide a full picture of what happens with greyhounds in Ireland, i.e., outlining on a regular basis how many pups are born in any given year, when they die and if they are exported. [49627/23]

Pesticide Use

Paul Murphy

87. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support a ban on glyphosate (details supplied); if he is aware of the dangers reported about this very controversial pesticide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48968/23]

Nitrates Usage

Paul Murphy

74. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the compatibility of maintaining a nitrates derogation in any form and combating water pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47012/23]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Paul Murphy

98. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the progress of the agricultural sector in reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47009/23]

Climate Change Policy

Paul Murphy

106. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has estimated the likely financial impact of climate-induced flooding and other natural disasters on agriculture in the State in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47010/23]

Horse Racing Industry

Paul Murphy

111. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there is a need for a separate Irish injured jockeys fund, qualified riders accident fund company and jockeys accident fund; the extent of Government funding for each annually in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47011/23]

Horse Racing Industry

Paul Murphy

441. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether an external review into the discrepancies identified in accounts of the IHRB (details supplied) will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46677/23]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

414. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the accusations of animal abuse at the Ballinasloe fair (details supplied); if his Department’s inspectors were in attendance the entire time; if he will provide details of any reports they made; the number of animals that were confiscated; and if any prosecutions were brought. [44683/23]