Parliamentary questions

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme

Jackie Cahill

1001. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a TAMS application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8065/21]

Fishing Licences

Michael Healy-Rae

1002. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a meeting will be arranged with a person (details supplied) to discuss the issuing of fishing licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8067/21]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael McNamara

1003. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 483 dated 21 January 2021, when payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8069/21]

Nitrates Usage

Brendan Griffin

1004. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on a review of a nitrates' penalty in respect of a farmer (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8070/21]

Common Agricultural Policy

Carol Nolan

1005. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address concerns that proposals for increasing co-financing for the second pillar of the CAP would most disadvantage the poorest farmers, less developed regions and rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8115/21]

Agriculture Industry

Carol Nolan

1006. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has conducted an analysis of the trend of rural depopulation specifically with respect to the idea that the future of farming may involve the concentration of job creation around urban centres with resulting declines in rural service provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8116/21]

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme

Niall Collins

1007. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a TAMS grant application by a person (details supplied) submitted in summer 2020 will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8119/21]

Equine Industry

James Lawless

1008. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is confident that every foal is being issued with an equine passport; the checks and regulations being made to ensure that this is the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8225/21]

Greyhound Industry

Eoin Ó Broin

1009. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Rásaíocht Con Éireann covers the cost of vaccination, neutering and a pet passport before the greyhound is rehomed as part of the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust and funded through the Greyhound Care Fund. [8236/21]

Greyhound Industry

Eoin Ó Broin

1010. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average age of a greyhound entering into the greyhound care centre under the Greyhound Care Fund; the measures in place to identify greyhounds that will not make racing grade; and the protocols in place to move them out of the industry and into the welfare area as soon as possible. [8237/21]

Greyhound Industry

Eoin Ó Broin

1011. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Rásaíocht Con Éireann doping strategy continues to be non-intelligence led; the improvements made to the testing equipment and to the laboratory facilities following on from the Irish Greyhound Board anti-doping and medication review carried out by a person (details supplied) in 2015; and the protocols in place regarding transparency and reporting procedures for adverse analytical findings. [8238/21]

Agriculture Schemes

Paul Murphy

1012. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to introduce grants for those farmers wishing to transition away from animal agriculture. [8267/21]

Fishing Industry

Holly Cairns

1013. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the preparations and actions his Department and all relevant agencies under his remit have taken to date to ensure the smooth introduction of regulation given the recent agreement by the fisheries committee of the European Parliament on a proposal to update the control regulation for fishing activities in the EU and in particular relating to the geolocation and electronic logbook mandatory for small boats aspect of the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8354/21]

Fishing Industry

Holly Cairns

1014. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consult in an extensive and meaningful manner with industry well in advance of the implementation of regulations resulting from the proposal to update the control regulation for fishing activities in the EU given that recent agreement by the fisheries committee of the European Parliament on a proposal to update the control regulation for fishing activities in the EU will impact hundreds of operators in the inshore sector and the potential challenges it presents for them including possessing the digital capacity to comply with such regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8355/21]

Fishing Industry

Holly Cairns

1015. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to support the inshore sector in meeting challenges complying with the EU fisheries committee proposal to update the control regulation for fishing activities in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8356/21]

Agriculture Industry

Holly Cairns

1016. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the European Committee of the Regions proposal to promote the development of short supply chains and small-scale processing of agricultural products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8357/21]

Common Agricultural Policy

Holly Cairns

1017. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the European Committee of the Regions proposal for a gradual shift from a basic CAP payment per hectare to a basic payment linked to the number of active persons and for direct payments to be funnelled as a matter of priority to small and medium sized agroecological farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8358/21]

Beef Environmental Efficiency Scheme

Holly Cairns

1018. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on reopening the beef environmental efficiency programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8359/21]

GLAS Issues

Michael Ring

1019. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a refund of a penalty for commonage will issue following an appeal by a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the matter has been ongoing for several months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8404/21]

Fishing Industry

Michael Healy-Rae

1020. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the refusal of Covid-19 assistance for shellfish operators (details supplied) will be examined; if funding will be expedited for the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8408/21]

Forestry Sector

Matt Carthy

1021. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of private forestry licences within the licensing system that have been screened out, in and completed ecological assessment; and if screened in, by type and county in tabular form. [8538/21]

Forestry Sector

Matt Carthy

1022. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of private forestry licences within the licensing system by licence type and county in tabular form. [8539/21]

Beef Industry

Peadar Tóibín

1023. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will end the 30-month rule, the 70-day residency rule, the four-movement rule and break the cartel oligopoly in the beef sector. [8652/21]

Tuberculosis Eradication Programme

Peadar Tóibín

1024. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on the testing for and the eradication of TB in agriculture for each of the past ten years; the number of animals that have been killed as a result of TB for each of the past ten years; the number of these animals that were subsequently found to have TB or lesions for each of the past ten years; the reason it has not been sought to completely eradicate TB; and the estimated cost on farmers of the policy of testing and eradication of TB in each year. [8653/21]

Agriculture Industry

Peadar Tóibín

1025. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the sale of cattle dosing products will not be taken off the agricultural merchants; and if he has estimated the economic damage to agricultural merchants of this proposed step in terms of jobs and turnover. [8654/21]

Beef Industry

Peadar Tóibín

1026. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the proposed food ombudsman office will be established and operational; the number of staff the food ombudsman office will have; the enforcement ability this office will have; and if this office will tackle the cartel that exists in the beef sector. [8655/21]

Carbon Tax Yield

Peadar Tóibín

1027. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the carbon tax being charged on agriculture is being spent (details supplied); and if he will ensure that farmers have an alternative in order to reduce exposure to carbon taxes,as otherwise the tax is purely punitive. [8656/21]

Common Agricultural Policy

Peadar Tóibín

1028. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that CAP payments are focused on productive farmers rather than non-active landowners. [8657/21]

Rural Environment Protection Scheme

Peadar Tóibín

1029. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that the revised REPS scheme reflects the value today of the initial scheme that existed in 1994; and if he will include reseeding for beef farms in this scheme. [8658/21]

Beef Industry

Peadar Tóibín

1030. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that any financial aid to the beef sector does not have the outcome of reducing the price to the farmer (details supplied). [8659/21]

Beef Industry

Peadar Tóibín

1031. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports that will be put in place to ensure there is targeted help for suckler farmers. [8660/21]

Sheep Welfare Scheme

Michael Healy-Rae

1032. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if matters will be addressed in relation to the sheep welfare scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8745/21]

Brexit Issues

John McGuinness

1033. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide funding and other supports to the horse industry relative to the cost of vets and transport arising from Brexit as stock is moved to or through the UK adding up to 75% costs on transactions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8750/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Denis Naughten

1034. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the Government requested that point-to-point racing be discontinued under current regulations relating to Covid-19; if he will outline the specific risk profile associated with the sport compared to horse racing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8758/21]

Regional Development

Marian Harkin

1035. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proportion of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development allocated to each NUTS 3 region in Ireland during the 2014-20 programme; the proposed allocation to each NUTS 3 region during the 2021-27 programme; and if the European Commission's downgrading of the northern and western region has been taken into account in his Department's planning for the 2021-27 programme (details supplied). [8843/21]

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

Marian Harkin

1036. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proportion of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund allocated to each NUTS 3 region in Ireland during the 2014-20 programme; the proposed allocation to each NUTS 3 region during the 2021-27 programme; if the European Commission's downgrading of the northern and western region has been taken into account in his Department's planning for the 2021-27 programme (details supplied). [8844/21]

Veterinary Medicines

Matt Carthy

1037. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he plans to take in response to recent media revelations outlining the current ease at which veterinary antimicrobial products may be improperly acquired in both the North and the South; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8850/21]

Veterinary Medicines

Matt Carthy

1038. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the safeguards in place to ensure that veterinary practices adhere to all regulations when dispensing antimicrobial products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8851/21]

Veterinary Inspection Service

Matt Carthy

1039. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of investigations carried out by the special investigations unit or its successor investigations division within his Department with regard to the supply of veterinary antimicrobial products in each of the years 2011 to date in 2021, by county in tabular form; the number of prosecutions carried out as a result of those investigations by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8852/21]

Veterinary Inspection Service

Matt Carthy

1040. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of full-time equivalent staff assigned to the special investigations unit or its successor investigations division within his Department in each of the years 2011 to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8853/21]

Veterinary Medicines

Matt Carthy

1041. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the safeguards in place to ensure that veterinary prescriptions are issued by vets only to animals under their care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8854/21]

Veterinary Medicines

Matt Carthy

1042. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the communication he has had with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive on ensuring regulations pertaining to the dispensing of antimicrobial products are adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8855/21]

Agriculture Scheme Data

Matt Carthy

1043. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of entitlements under the basic payment scheme that are leased for a consecutive period of three, four and five years or greater; and the value in each of these cases. [8856/21]

Beef Industry

Claire Kerrane

1044. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times the beef task force has met since it was established; the achievements of the task force to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8871/21]

Beef Industry

Claire Kerrane

1045. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the 30-month rule and the four-movement rule for beef farmers and in particular the fact that the first of the four-movement rule is the birth of the calf; his views on whether this is fair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8872/21]

Beef Industry

Claire Kerrane

1046. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the 30-month rule imposed on beef farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8873/21]

Agriculture Industry

Claire Kerrane

1047. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a review of an association (details supplied) will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8874/21]

Beef Industry

Claire Kerrane

1048. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the powers the proposed food ombudsman will have and specifically in the case of beef production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8875/21]

Beef Industry

Claire Kerrane

1049. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered setting up a beef regulator given the issues raised by farmers regarding beef prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8876/21]

Beef Imports

Claire Kerrane

1050. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of beef imported into Ireland and the country of origin in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8877/21]

Beef Environmental Efficiency Scheme

Claire Kerrane

1051. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider flexibility regarding the dates for the BEEP scheme given farmers are under pressure to have animals weighed in time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8878/21]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

1052. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contracts for public relations advice and consultancy entered into by his Department over the cost of €10,000 since January 2021; the nature of the contract; and the length of the contract in tabular form. [8885/21]

Ministerial Communications

Seán Sherlock

1053. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there has been any contact with his counterpart in the United States Administration. [8905/21]

Horse Sport Ireland

Bernard Durkan

1054. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the proposed location for a centre of excellence representing Horse Sport Ireland; his views on the necessity for its location in a prominent horse industry location in which it can visibly develop as required (details supplied); if he will encourage the use of such prominent and established locations as the location for the onward development of the industry; if he has received a request for funding in this regard; his views and plans regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8963/21]

Agriculture Industry

Brendan Smith

1055. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be implemented to address the difficulties for the mushroom, horticulture and nursery sectors due to the difficulties arising from the cessation of peat production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8989/21]

Beef Industry

Brendan Smith

1056. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the next meeting of the beef task force will take place; the agenda for the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8990/21]

Organic Farming Scheme

Michael Healy-Rae

326. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7484/21]

Agriculture Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

327. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in place to ensure that all grants for struggling small to medium-sized farms are prioritised over larger and more profitable farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7505/21]

Animal Diseases

Jackie Cahill

328. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the loss of animals from TB by a farmer (details supplied) can be used as a stock rate reduction under force majeure with regard to BEAM; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7530/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Martin Browne

329. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of meat processing factories at which serial testing has taken place since its introduction; the frequency with which serial testing is being carried out at individual facilities; if there are any facilities that have not had serial testing carried out; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7540/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

James O'Connor

330. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the closure due to Covid-19 and the resumption of point-to-point racing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7564/21]

Ministerial Correspondence

Catherine Murphy

331. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to correspondence (details supplied); if he will contact the correspondents; and his plans to deal with the matters raised in the correspondence. [7595/21]

Agrifood Sector

Martin Browne

332. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is in possession of any assessment on the impact that the EU farm-to-fork biodiversity strategies will have on production costs for farmers; the impact it will have on their output; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7652/21]

Land Issues

Michael Healy-Rae

333. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter regarding folios (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7706/21]

Young Farmers Scheme

Matt Carthy

334. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the discrepancies affecting the category known as the forgotten farmers, that is, those young farmers who have been denied top-up financial supports due to the fact that they commenced farming before 2015, will be resolved in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7720/21]

Beef Industry

Denis Naughten

335. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to allow flexibility in the implementation of the BEAM 5% nitrogen reduction criteria in view of the response from the European Commission; when the online calculator will go live; if he will ensure that farmers have access to the calculator for at least 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7724/21]

Brexit Issues

Bernard Durkan

336. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the fishing industry has been affected by Brexit; the actions taken or in hand to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7747/21]

Brexit Issues

Bernard Durkan

337. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which families dependent on the fishing industry are being affected by Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7748/21]

Brexit Supports

Bernard Durkan

338. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which his Department can avail of opportunities to assist families dependent on the fishing industry who are being impacted by Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7749/21]

Animal Diseases

Bernard Durkan

339. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which bovine tuberculosis continues to be eradicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7750/21]

Animal Diseases

Bernard Durkan

340. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of incidents of bovine tuberculosis recorded in each of the past ten years to date; the extent to which the causes of outbreaks have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7751/21]

Animal Welfare

Bernard Durkan

341. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which breaches of animal health regulations continue to be brought to the attention of his Department; if specific issues for particular action arising from such incidents have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7752/21]

Veterinary Services

Bernard Durkan

342. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has examined the impact of the purchase of veterinary practices by vulture funds; his plans for specific provisions to ensure that adequate veterinary capacity remains available to the agrifood sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7753/21]

Agrifood Sector

Bernard Durkan

343. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has identified the most salient issues affecting the agrifood sector arising from Brexit to date; his plans to address the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7754/21]

Beef Industry

Bernard Durkan

344. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current strength of the national beef herd; the degree to which the numbers have fluctuated in the past ten years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7755/21]

Dairy Sector

Bernard Durkan

345. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current strength of the dairy herd; the extent to which numbers have fluctuated in the past ten years to date; if he remains satisfied that income from the sector will remain positive for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7756/21]

Brexit Issues

Bernard Durkan

346. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which markets for Irish-produced beef, lamb and pig meat and poultry remain positive or are threatened in the future arising from Brexit or otherwise; the extent to which his Department studies these issues on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7757/21]

Laboratory Facilities

Bernard Durkan

347. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which sufficient laboratory facilities exist or, if not available, can be provided here, with particular reference to ongoing challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7758/21]

Dairy Sector

Bernard Durkan

348. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which strong markets remain available for all Irish dairy products notwithstanding the challenges arising from various sources, including Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7759/21]

Brexit Issues

Bernard Durkan

349. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which Brexit has to date negatively or positively affected Irish food exports, including beef, dairy, pigmeat, poultry and lamb; if specific measures need to be taken arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7760/21]

Rural Environment Protection Scheme

Brendan Griffin

350. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if organic farmers will be permitted to join the new REPS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7771/21]

Departmental Data

Brian Leddin

351. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of goats reared in Ireland; the number of goat farms and average herd size; the way in which these farms are regulated and inspected; the way in which animal welfare standards are monitored and enforced; the number of male kids killed each year; the age at which they were killed; the locations at which they are killed; the destination of carcasses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7779/21]

Animal Welfare

Gary Gannon

352. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the standards in place for dog shelters, pounds and facilities; the evidence on which these standards are based; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7797/21]

Animal Welfare

Gary Gannon

353. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of complaints his Department received regarding animal welfare in publicly funded facilities between January 2017 and December 2020; the counties in which the facilities were located; and the nature of these complaints. [7798/21]

Animal Sales

Gary Gannon

354. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent by his Department in 2020 on communication and education for rules on the sale or supply of pet animals which came into effect on 1 February 2020 under the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7799/21]

Animal Sales

Gary Gannon

355. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of sellers and suppliers under the register of sellers and suppliers of pet animals; the number of premises under the register of premises; and if there has been a noted increase since the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019 were brought in. [7800/21]

Fishing Industry

Éamon Ó Cuív

356. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he plans to take in EU fishery discussions now and into the future to ensure that Ireland gets a proper and equitable share of Ireland’s maritime natural fish resources, particularly an equitable share of migratory and straddling fish stocks that breed, spawn, feed and grow in Irish waters as defined by international law; if he will seek to have the principle of zonal attachment applied to the share-out of these stocks in Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7809/21]

Agriculture Scheme Eligibility

Éamon Ó Cuív

977. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the arrangements in place to ensure there are an adequate supply of accredited green certificate in agriculture courses available for all applicants in all regions due to the unprecedented demand for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6361/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Dara Calleary

978. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce antigen testing for employees of key manufacturing plants such as food and meat processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6364/21]

Licence Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

979. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a licence application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6372/21]

Protected Disclosures

Catherine Murphy

980. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he and or his predecessors evaluated a protected disclosure made by a person (details supplied) as instructed to by the Workplace Relations Commission on 16 July 2019; and the progress made to date on same. [6395/21]

EU Regulations

Catherine Murphy

981. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the European Commission for Health and Food Safety has accepted a formal complaint from a whistle-blower (details supplied) to investigate that some veterinarians in Irish meat plants are not qualified under an EU regulation and may compromise the food safety risk and certification of products of animal origin to consumers. [6396/21]

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

Paul Kehoe

982. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6403/21]

Fishing Industry

Paul Kehoe

983. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be a derogation for scallop fishermen who are fishing off the southern coast of the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6421/21]

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

John McGuinness

984. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay of almost 20 years in acknowledging the error by his Department in not including two reference years relative to area aid in the case of a person (details supplied); the number of meetings held during this period with the representatives of an association regarding the issue; if the submissions from Teagasc and other documents have been considered; if he will arrange a meeting between him, his officials, the farmer and the association to resolve matters given the ongoing negative impact being experienced by the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6444/21]

Horse Racing Ireland

Carol Nolan

985. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the manner in which the appointments to the Horse Racing Ireland board from 1 January 2020 to date were nominated; the basis for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6466/21]

Greyhound Industry

Catherine Murphy

986. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to a fundraiser by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the retired coursing greyhounds in view of the fact it does not have a homing section: the amount raised; and if other organisations received moneys from the collection. [6518/21]

Forestry Sector

Michael Healy-Rae

987. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he address a matter (details supplied) regarding forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6542/21]

Food Safety Standards

Michael Healy-Rae

988. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the 30-month rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6543/21]

Food Safety Standards

Michael Healy-Rae

989. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the 60-day rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6546/21]