Parliamentary questions

Departmental Funding

Paul Murphy

247. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of money farming organisations receive in core funding from his Department; and the basis on which funding is allocated. [21023/24]

Agriculture Industry

Paul Murphy

248. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of money generated from the EIF levy; and the basis on which funding is allocated. [21024/24]

Fishing Industry

Johnny Mythen

249. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider a fuel subsidy for the fishing industry, as is the case in other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21028/24]

Agriculture Supports

Claire Kerrane

250. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration can be given to providing farmers under financial pressure advance payments of direct farm payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21029/24]

Departmental Priorities

Claire Kerrane

251. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide further details on the announced action plan on ash dieback; when such detail will be published on each of the measures included in the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21043/24]

Departmental Priorities

Claire Kerrane

252. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide further details on the climate action performance payment measure, including required actions, eligibility criteria, payment terms and timeframes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21044/24]

Departmental Priorities

Claire Kerrane

253. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the recommendations made in the independent review of the Government's response to addressing ash dieback that have been specifically addressed in the announced action plan on ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21045/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Neasa Hourigan

254. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the awards made both with and without a tender process to management consultancy firms (details supplied) by his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department for each of the years 2019 to 2024, in tabular form and classed by firm; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [21167/24]

Departmental Policies

Claire Kerrane

398. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on progress around the farmers' charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20112/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Darren O'Rourke

399. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has received the 2023 Annual Report and 2023 Audited Financial Statement from Horse Racing Ireland; and if not, when his Department expects to receive same. [20164/24]

Agriculture Supports

Claire Kerrane

400. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on eligibility criteria for the complementary income support for young farmers; if applicants must meet the educational criteria or if flexibility can be allowed where an individual holds a level 6 qualification in a subject other than agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20283/24]

Departmental Staff

Carol Nolan

401. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of employees within his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department who are currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations; to outline, in tabular form, the length of time these employees have been under suspension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20308/24]

Pesticide Use

Claire Kerrane

402. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 24 April 2024, if he will advise on flexibility around sanctions in situations where a farmer may not be aware that they have spread fertiliser containing phosphorus; if he will advise on what communication has been made with farmers to advise of rule changes and possible penalties on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20329/24]

European Union

Matt Carthy

403. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the EU programmes or funds outside of the multiannual financial framework that Ireland has paid into from the year 2014 to date; any receipts from same, by programme or fund, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20349/24]

Departmental Policies

Duncan Smith

404. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in the context of the widespread destruction of ash trees right across the country, due to the ash dieback disease, he will consider positively the provision of grant incentives to householders, landowners and other tenants to replace trees on their holdings that have died due to the specific disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20387/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

405. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends to provide in-person training for the suckler carbon efficiency programme, in consideration of individuals who may not have access to or ability to use online facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20406/24]

Animal Diseases

John McGuinness

406. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the actions taken by his Department following recent meetings with a person (details supplied) relative to the ongoing health issues they are experiencing with their horses; if the tests and examination of the horses affected have been analysed; if current test results have been compared with the results of tests taken some years ago by UCD and his Department; if there is a course of treatment or interventions that his Department will now undertake; if his Department is concerned that the health issues identified some years ago still persist; if this is an isolated case or similar to other cases investigated; if his Department will continue to work with the person until such time as the issues are fully resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20435/24]

Departmental Reports

Claire Kerrane

407. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the agrifood regulator has provided a report to him to date; if he has received an update regarding the regulator's workplan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20478/24]

Departmental Staff

Claire Kerrane

408. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 500 of 23 April 2024, if he will provide salary amounts, broken down by grade and role referenced, within the three forestry divisions in his Department for the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [20557/24]

Greyhound Industry

Paul Donnelly

409. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of Rásaíocht Con Éireann staff who received a performance-related bonus in the years 2022 and 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and the reasons the bonuses were awarded. [20654/24]

Departmental Properties

Paul Donnelly

410. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of rent his Department has received from commercial units based within Howth fisheries harbour centre in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [20655/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

411. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he was aware of recent price increases in horse passport registration fees by Horse Sport Ireland; if he has any role in setting prices for foal passports; if he can reverse the decision of the HSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20664/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

412. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 6 March 2024 and Question No. 1046 of 20 March 2024; if he will publish the respective bid tenders received in the public interest from bidders in the marketing of the Irish sport horse industry contract awarded in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20665/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

413. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 168 of 6 March 2024, and 1052 of 20 March 2024, if he will confirm the nature and terms of an exit agreement entered into by Horse Sport Ireland in January 2022 with a named individual (details supplied); confirm if his Department paid the costs of such an exit agreement; to provide the full costs of such exit agreement, referred to as “goodbye money”; provide the breakdown of any associated other costs to conclude the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20666/24]

Departmental Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

414. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to name the management and delivery team members named in each tender submission received by his Department in April 2022 from bidders seeking the marketing contracts from his Department for the marketing of the horse sport industry (details supplied); to provide the names and qualifications of each member of the teams involved in each bid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20667/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

415. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department or any entity funded by his Department has developed a marketing plan for the promotion of the Irish horse sport industry; if such a plan exists, the duration of the plan; those consulted in the formulation of the plan by his Department or third parties; and if he will publish such a plan on the Department website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20668/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

416. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of individuals retained by the Irish Horse Board since 1 January 2023 in either employment or contract for service roles; the roles and qualifications of each person; the salary band associated with each role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20669/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

417. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of individuals retained by the Horse Sport Ireland on 1 January 2022 in either employment or contract for service roles in the marketing of the Irish horse sport industry; the roles and qualifications of each person; the salary band associated with each role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20670/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

418. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 157 of 6 March 2024 and 1043 and 1044 of 20 March 2024, to confirm the names of panel members involved in reviewing the equine marketing tender, equine breeding services and studbook tenders offer by his Department in February 2022 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20671/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

419. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 157 of 6 March 2024 and 1043 and 1044 of 20 March 2024, the recorded or registered conflicts of interests declared by each panel member and official involved in reviewing the equine marketing tender, breeding services and studbook tenders received by his Department in February 2022 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20672/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

420. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 157 of 6 March 2024 and 1043 and 1044 of 20 March 2024, with respect to evaluation of three tenders for marketing services for the horse sport industry, national equine breeding services and studbook operations for the Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught Studbooks, the steps he took to ensure that he was “satisfied that all panel members of the evaluation team were impartial and independent in the context of procurement procedure”; if he reassured himself that no panel member applied personally or professionally to the incumbent the Horse Sport Ireland for funding in any of the five years prior to tender evaluation; if he reassured himself that no panel member or their extended family members registered or owned horses registered with the incumbent; if he reassured himself that no panel member or officials involved in any of the review stages held personal relationships with any prospective bidder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20673/24]

Departmental Policies

Michael Healy-Rae

421. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if donkeys are worth anything when it comes to stocking densities and fulfilling requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20854/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Moynihan

225. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter in relation to milk quota scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19930/24]

Agriculture Schemes

David Stanton

226. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of solar PV installations which were granted aid under TAMS II, which closed to new applications on the 16 December 2022; the number of these which have been installed and have received payment; the number which have yet to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19984/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Pearse Doherty

227. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an organic farming scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20003/24]

Agriculture Industry

Claire Kerrane

228. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on any changes he is aware of with regard to processes around inspections of livestock hauliers given a reported increase in inspections on trucks transporting livestock by Irish officials; if he has had any engagement with the Minister for Transport or other Government colleagues on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20044/24]

Agriculture Industry

Brendan Smith

229. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the preparatory work being undertaken and the measures being implemented to ensure retention of the nitrates derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20087/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

204. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received for the women farmers' capital investment scheme under the current round; the number that have been refused due to ineligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19549/24]

Greyhound Industry

Paul Murphy

205. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds in the racing dog pool as recorded on the race management system for each month in 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19598/24]

Agriculture Industry

Darren O'Rourke

206. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a service of general economic interest exists, or has ever existed, in relation to software for farm management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19613/24]

Agriculture Industry

Darren O'Rourke

207. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if companies (details supplied) are now part of a national agtech service of general economic interest; if not, whether they have ever been part of one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19614/24]

Invasive Species Policy

Martin Browne

208. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on calls for the suspension of log imports from Scotland, in light of the most recent detection of the bark beetle; to outline the possibility that arises that the bark beetle may have been introduced here from produce imported from Scotland’s pest-free area; the biosecurity measures in place to prevent the introduction of alien species to Ireland and how they compare to best international standards, if such standards are taken into account; the measures that will be employed to prevent any further instances in which the bark beetle is identified here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19623/24]

Invasive Species Policy

Martin Browne

209. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details on the volume of spruce with bark present imported from Scotland in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19624/24]

Fishing Industry

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

210. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has confidence in the fisheries sales notes system to deliver robust and accurate fisheries data in order that Ireland can comply with its obligations under the Common Fisheries Policy and other EU regulations. [19689/24]

Fishing Industry

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

211. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what supports he intends to introduce to support fishermen affected by the restrictions on directed fishing for pollack as is the case in the UK under its fisheries and seafood scheme. [19690/24]

Fishing Industry

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

212. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a social impact analysis has been carried out, prior to the closure of the targeted pollack fisheries in ICES areas 6 and 7. [19691/24]

Fishing Industry

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

213. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that the pollack ICES benchmark report listed a significant number of issues with the data used to base the closure decision; and the steps being taken to address these shortcomings at a national level. [19692/24]

Fishing Industry

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

214. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that there is a risk that a future ICES pollack benchmark without appropriate representative inshore survey data being collected will result in prolonged closures with significant social impacts; and the steps being taken to address this. [19693/24]

Fishing Industry

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

215. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being introduced to incorporate fishermen's traditional knowledge into fisheries co-management, in order to improve knowledge and outcomes. [19694/24]

Fishing Industry

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

216. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has a plan to prioritise selective low-impact fishing practices such as line caught fishing during future fishery negotiations. [19695/24]

Departmental Schemes

Michael Lowry

217. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 475 of 20 June 2023, if he intends this to only apply in situations where the licence has not been actioned (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19746/24]

Departmental Schemes

Michael Lowry

218. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the climate resilient reforestation scheme will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19747/24]

Fisheries Protection

Alan Kelly

219. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he last spoke with the CEO of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority; and the issues discussed. [19811/24]

Greyhound Industry

Paul Murphy

537. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 458 of 20 February 2024, if the supplied GRI statistics for greyhound injuries at tracks relate only to injured greyhounds that were treated/euthanised by track vets; and how many additional greyhounds sustained injuries of any type at tracks and were taken away to be treated elsewhere throughout 2023 and to-date in 2024. [18756/24]

Farm Safety

David Stanton

538. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is represented on the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee, which advises the board of the Health and Safety Authority; if so, the way any such appointment is made; the duration of any such appointment; the role and functions of his Department's representative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18761/24]

Fodder Crisis

Claire Kerrane

539. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider reopening the fodder support scheme in 2024 given the fodder shortage experienced this winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18827/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Claire Kerrane

540. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on recent increases to Horse Sport Ireland registration charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18828/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Denis Naughten

541. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of copper communication lines within his Department that are currently in active operation and for which his Department is paying for on a monthly basis, inclusive of ISDN, PTSN and copper-based lease lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18830/24]

Agriculture Industry

Claire Kerrane

542. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration is being given to providing a label or certification of quality to Irish grain, given the quality and low-carbon nature of Irish grain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18855/24]

Departmental Data

Catherine Murphy

543. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated full year current costs that would be needed if Departmental officials were present at Dublin Airport between the hours of 7.30 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. [18906/24]

Beef Sector

Anne Rabbitte

544. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the headage payment for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19066/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Anne Rabbitte

545. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the ACRES payment for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19067/24]

European Union

John Paul Phelan

546. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to list all Acts and statutory instruments sponsored by his Department which became law from 20 February 2020 to date in 2024 and which were necessitated, either in whole or in part, to transpose or give effect to regulations, directives or other measures passed at European Union level. [19159/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Niamh Smyth

547. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting so long for payment of the young farmers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19186/24]

Local Authorities

Catherine Murphy

548. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the amount of grant-aid returned and or surrendered to his Department, by local authority in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, to include the heading of which it was intended for. [19354/24]

Agriculture Industry

Michael Healy-Rae

549. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied). [19387/24]

Agriculture Supports

Johnny Mythen

550. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions that are being put in place to safeguard the Irish potato-growing industry and seed potatoes (details supplied); if he will consider plans for a scheme and funding to help this vital part of agriculture and the food chain over this crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19438/24]

Agriculture Industry

Rose Conway-Walsh

60. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants to the succession planning advice grant; the steps he is taking to support succession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18423/24]

Agriculture Supports

Alan Farrell

67. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on supports for farmers in light of recent adverse weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17843/24]

Agriculture Supports

Christopher O'Sullivan

68. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he would consider opening up the fodder transport support scheme to include farmers who purchased fodder from longer distances from 31 January to 31 March; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18422/24]

Animal Diseases

Ruairí Ó Murchú

69. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has any intention of revisiting the foot and mouth compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18432/24]

Animal Slaughtering

Pauline Tully

70. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is taking over responsibility for the inspection of small abattoirs from the local authorities who currently undertake this on behalf of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland; the timeframe within which this will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18421/24]

Agriculture Industry

Marian Harkin

71. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the implications for the agriculture sector in Ireland, given that the European Council has not reached agreement on the EU Nature Restoration Law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18297/24]

Food Industry

Marian Harkin

72. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the application of PGI status for boxty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18296/24]

Food Industry

Cathal Crowe

73. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider seeking protected geographical indication status from the EU for grass-fed Irish beef and dairy products. [18373/24]

Agriculture Industry

Claire Kerrane

74. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give consideration to a particular proposal on a Commission on the Future of the Family Farm Bill 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18243/24]

Departmental Bodies

Niamh Smyth

75. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the work of the Working Group on Women in Agriculture. [18144/24]

Tillage Sector

Brian Stanley

76. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to improve supports for tillage farmers who are encountering great difficulties tilling and sowing due to excessive rain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17613/24]

Horticulture Sector

Alan Farrell

77. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on his Department's efforts to support the horticulture sector in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17842/24]

Tree Remediation

Violet-Anne Wynne

78. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a financial support package for farmers to manage diseased roadside ash trees safely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18271/24]

Agriculture Industry

Pauline Tully

79. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce specific measures to support farmers affected by extremely difficult weather conditions which have resulted in a much-delayed turnout of livestock and planting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18420/24]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Griffin

80. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is considering the suspension of log imports from Scotland until better safeguards are in place to prevent the spread of the spruce bark beetle to this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18348/24]

Forestry Sector

Aindrias Moynihan

81. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the area of land where forestry was planted last year; the amount expected to be planted this year; if there are specific measures in place to increase the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18353/24]

Food Industry

Richard Bruton

82. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has developed proposals within his area of responsibility which would fit with the ambition to deliver a circular economy initiative for the Irish food sector. [18081/24]

Land Issues

Aindrias Moynihan

83. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will develop a national land use strategy to address, amongst other things, the concerning lack of land availability for afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18352/24]

Control of Horses

Thomas Gould

84. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses seized in Cork city in 2023. [18409/24]

Food Industry

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

85. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if producers in County Carlow will be awarded the new PGI for Irish grass-fed beef. [18298/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

86. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will seek to ensure that farmers who choose the later reporting option for national sheep welfare scheme measures do not have their payment delayed until after January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18240/24]

Wind Energy Generation

Michael Moynihan

87. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will consider a scheme to support more wind powered microgeneration on farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10857/24]

Agriculture Supports

James O'Connor

88. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to help farmers following the wet weather in recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18436/24]

Fisheries Protection

Catherine Connolly

89. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 21 February 2024, the status of plans for the introduction of measures to protect the sprat fishery, which is concentrated within the six-nautical-mile zone; to provide an update on the recent public consultation on trawling activity inside the six-nautical-mile zone and the baselines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18275/24]

Nitrates Usage

Paul Murphy

90. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has any assessment of the impact the removal of the nitrates derogation would have on Irish water quality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18333/24]

Trade Agreements

Matt Carthy

91. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his engagements with his Cabinet colleagues regarding the Mercosur Trade Agreement. [17714/24]

Departmental Bodies

Catherine Connolly

92. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 74 of 22 February 2024, for an update on the work of the wool council; if the €30,000 in departmental funding has been drawn down to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18274/24]

Forestry Sector

Matt Carthy

93. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of new afforestation in the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024; and his target afforestation for the remainder of 2024. [17715/24]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Paul Murphy

94. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether any reduction in the size of the national herd is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18335/24]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Griffin

95. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the regulatory factors constraining commercial forestry growth, with a view to establishing a more industry-friendly and financially incentivised sector; if such a review would examine the timelines for planting and felling licensing and plantation thresholds regarding broadleaf versus coniferous trees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18347/24]

Nitrates Usage

Jackie Cahill

96. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if low-intensity farmers who import slurry onto their land could have their calculation based on the preceding year's stocking rate as this would provide clarity to low-intensity farmers as to the quantity of slurry they could import for the coming year and considering this would greatly encourage the importation of slurry onto their land and assist in reaching climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15016/24]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Smith

97. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be implemented to deal with difficulties that have emerged from ash dieback and the concerns about spruce bark beetle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18425/24]

Agriculture Industry

Bernard Durkan

98. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which efforts are being made to manage grasslands and tillage lands, given the sharp increase in rainfall; if consideration will be given to adequate drainage as opposed to allowing widespread flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18340/24]