Written Answers Nos. 1562-1581
1562. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of his plans to extend the badger vaccination programme nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42208/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's TB eradication programme is informed by peer-reviewed scientific research. There is a proven link between TB infection in badgers and bovine TB.
Badger culling has been demonstrated to be highly effective in reducing the burden of bovine TB on Irish family farms for over 20 years. However, DAFM is currently committed to reducing badger culling in favour of badger vaccination which is more sustainable in the long term for both ecological and disease reasons, in line with the Programme for Government commitment. This is possible because badger vaccination has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing badger to badger TB transmission and not to be inferior to badger culling when introduced to areas with low badger densities and reduced prevalence of TB.
The current policy is to vaccinate badgers to prevent disease outbreaks and to cull badgers where necessary in response to outbreaks in areas where epidemiological investigations have demonstrated the link between badgers and TB breakdowns on cattle farms. Areas where badger culling may previously have taken place are being incorporated into the badger vaccination programme on an ongoing basis but only when any underlying disease spread to cattle from wildlife has been suppressed.
Since the commencement of badger vaccination in 2018, 19,079 Km2 of land has been switched to vaccination on a phased basis and this will continue. The scientific evidence for the efficacy of badger culling is well established and the evidence to support badger vaccination within the TB eradication scheme is being added to on an ongoing basis as additional research is published in peer reviewed scientific journals. DAFM is currently collaborating with University College Dublin and the University of Waginengen to validate the efficacy of vaccination in the field and to model where higher risks exist at a local farm level which will support better targeting of TB controls in future years.
As the level of badger vaccination increases, it is expected that there will be fewer wildlife driven TB outbreaks in cattle and thus less need for badger culling. It is likely, however, that some level of badger culling will remain necessary until TB levels have significantly reduced.
DAFM provides advice to farmers on how to reduce the risk of TB from wildlife which can be accessed at; www.bovinetb.ie.
1563. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of his plans for Teagasc to mainstream animal welfare considerations across its teaching and advisory services for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42209/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked Teagasc, Ireland’s Agricultural Training and Advisory body, to mainstream animal welfare considerations across its teaching and advisory services for farmers and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Teagasc continues to provide well developed courses and training opportunities for the farming community with a strong emphasis on animal husbandry. In line with the initiative outlined in Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025, Teagasc courses will continue to evolve, ensuring that clear consistent animal welfare considerations are promoted across all its teaching and advisory services for farmers.
Teagasc is actively committed to developing and improving animal welfare across the agricultural sector. Animal welfare is an ongoing focal point within educational courses on livestock production and husbandry within the education and teaching programmes, and also within advisory programmes, activities and consultations with farmers. Teagasc also has targeted specific actions around animal welfare in their current Statement of Strategy which align with our National Animal Welfare Strategy, including the commitment to mainstreaming welfare considerations across all relevant research, knowledge transfer and training programmes.
1564. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of his plans to establish a Chair in Animal Welfare and Veterinary Ethics in University College Dublin; the projected costs associated with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42210/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe first Chair of Animal Welfare & Veterinary Ethics at the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine was appointed in January 2021, supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and contributing to scientific leadership at a national level.
The Department is committed to providing annual funding of €120k towards the post for a six year period. The role will have a focus on farm animals and will further strengthen the work already being carried out in UCD in this area.
The creation of this post aligns with the goals of the Strategy and the School of Veterinary Medicine's 'One Health, One Welfare' Strategic Plan. The remit of the post is to conduct studies in animal welfare, sustainable agriculture and veterinary ethics to inform policy that will have a positive impact on society.
This appointment enhances academic expertise and scientific leadership, while furthering primary and continuing education for veterinary professionals, promoting research and contributing to policy developments, and supporting UCD's key role in the newly established EU Reference Centre for Ruminant and Equine Welfare.
The establishment of the Chair is a key component of the recently published national Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 and marks one way in which the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine and DAFM will work collaboratively to achieve the goals set out in the new strategy.
Societal knowledge, perceptions and expectations regarding the welfare of animals and ethical consideration regarding the keeping and use of animals is rapidly evolving. The UCD School of Veterinary Medicine and my Department recognise this, both in the context of veterinary education and research, and in the context of sectoral and societal discourse on animal welfare and ethics in Ireland.
1565. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of his plans to establish an independently chaired Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare; if a call for positions on the Advisory Council has been issued; the expected membership numbers and the remuneration that will be provided to each member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42211/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 includes a commitment to establish an Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare (ACCAW). Following the appointment of a Chair, I have identified a number of organisations and individuals with a diverse range of skillsets to advise me on matters relating to companion animals. This week, I will be writing to these organisations to put forward candidates for membership.
The Chair of the ACCAW will be compensated at the appropriate Civil Service per diem rate for chairing a public committee. No other Council members will receive compensation for their attendance and input. The Council will be made up of a Chair and approximately 12 members, subject to review.
1566. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the systems that are in place to issue licences to allow access to a lakeside slipway (details supplied) in County Westmeath; the way these licences are issued; the frequency with which they are they are renewed; the cost to obtain a licence; the maximum number of licences issued in a given year at this location; if there is a waiting list for applicants to gain access to this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42231/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte issue licences to moor boats at their property on Lough Sheelin. However, Coillte CGA was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters such as this are the responsibility of the company.
I have therefore passed the questions raised to Coillte for response and direct reply to the Deputy.
1567. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address the case of a person (details supplied) regarding the BEEP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42263/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme – Suckler (BEEP-S) is to further increase economic and environmental efficiency in the suckler herd through better quality data on herd performance, supporting decision making on farm and support of best practice in welfare management. The scheme in 2021 is an annual scheme as was the scheme in 2020 and the pilot in 2019.
Applications for BEEP-S 2021 were made via the Department's online application system at www.agfood.ie. The scheme opened for applications on 16th March 2021 and the closing date for receipt of applications was Monday 26th April 2021. There was a 25 calendar day period after the closing date for the acceptance of late applications.
As with many payment schemes that are applied for on-line and administered by the Department, applicants may lodge the application themselves or alternatively they may authorise an agent to lodge the application on their behalf.
The Department issued two Press Releases on 16th March and 13th April 2021 on the BEEP-S and Dairy Beef schemes for 2021.
In addition, the Department issued five text reminders regarding BEEP-S to those who are registered to receive texts from the Department. The first two texts went to just over 107,000 people on each occasion while the fourth text on 21st April 2021 went to just over 8,000 farmers who were participants in the 2020 BEEP-S but who, as of that date, had not yet applied for BEEP-S 2021.
The person named had not opted to receive texts from the Department and therefore the Department was precluded from sending communications to him by text.
There is no record of any attempt to create or lodge a BEEP-S 2021 application in respect of the named person. The Department received correspondence requesting a review of the non-submission of a BEEP-S application in July 2021 and again in August, 2021. Officials responded to both letters in July and August, 2021 with the August letter advising of the right to appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
1568. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a BPS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42267/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe named person submitted their Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application on 12th May 2021 in which he declared certain parcels eligible for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme. Following a review parcels by Satellite Imagery parcels within this application were identified as being burned between the 1st March and 31st August. It is specified in the 2021 BPS Terms & Conditions that land burnt between these dates is not eligible for payment purposes under the Basic Payment Scheme. Accordingly, the burnt area has been deducted from the eligible area within the parcel leaving a reduced area upon which payment can be claimed for the 2021 BPS scheme year. The claiming of the ineligible area has resulted in an overclaim on this application.
The Department wrote to the person named on 19th August 2021 advising him of the position in relation to this application. This letter includes details of the applicant's right of review and the relevant steps to take to seek a review. An official from the Department will be in contact with the named person to provide assistance in relation to this matter.
1569. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a BPS payment for 2021 will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42268/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe named persons submitted their Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application on 23rd March 2021 in which they declared certain parcels eligible for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme. Following a review parcels by Satellite Imagery a parcel within this application was identified as being burned between the 1st March and the 31st August. It is specified in the 2021 BPS Terms & Conditions that land burnt between the 1st March and 31st August is not eligible for payment purposes under the Basic Payment Scheme. Accordingly, the burnt area has been deducted from the eligible area within the parcel leaving a reduced area upon which payment can be claimed for the 2021 BPS scheme year. The claiming of the ineligible area has resulted in an overclaim on this application.
The Department wrote to the persons named on 19th August 2021 advising them of position in relation to this application. This letter includes details of the applicant's right of review and the relevant steps to take to seek a review. An official from the Department will be in contact with the applicants to provide assistance in relation to this matter.
1570. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42272/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for the Native Woodland Scheme was submitted on behalf of the persons named in June 2020 and is currently referred to my Department’s Ecology Unit. An ecologist has been assigned to the application and, on initial overview, the ecologist has determined that additional information would be required. An official will shortly be in touch with the applicant’s Registered Forester to discuss requirements for the application. Once any information sought it provided the application will be considered further.
1571. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the intentions of his Department and progress made to date in providing grant funding for agricultural bridges and underpasses for landholders whose farms are currently divided by road, rail, river or canal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42358/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a wide variety of items available under the suite of seven measures under TAMS. However, funding for cattle underpasses is not included. To date, total expenditure under the seven measures of the TAMS, including transitional expenditure, has reached in excess of €304m with commitments of an additional €145m made to scheme participants who have yet to draw down those grants.
Some 43,588 applications have been approved under the scheme. All outstanding approvals issued represent potential outstanding liabilities for the Department and we must have a budget in place to pay these claims. As a result, it is not possible to consider adding additional items such as cattle underpasses to the comprehensive list of investment items already available under TAMS II.
No decision has been made in relation to the interventions to be included in the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP)(2023-2027). To allow for the submission of the draft CSP by the 1st January 2022, the Department is currently undertaking a public consultation on the draft CSP and written submissions were invited from interested parties by the closing date of 3rd September 2021.
1572. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of landings at Dingle and Castletownbere ports from Irish and non-Irish vessels for each of the 36 months from January 2018 to December 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42372/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. The Department became responsible for the Fishery Harbour Centres in October 2007. The Fishery Harbour Centres were established under the Fishery Harbour Centre Act 1968 (as amended) as centres in which to promote and develop sea fishing activities.
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) was established under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Act 2006 and is responsible (in conjunction with the Irish Naval Service) for the control and enforcement of Fisheries legislation. In this regard, the SFPA is the single legal competent authority responsible for the collection and reporting of fish landings into Ireland.
I have forwarded your question to the SFPA and have asked them to revert directly to the Deputy with the information requested.
1573. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of Irish and non-Irish vessels landing fish at Dingle and Castletownbere ports for each of the 36 months from January 2018 to December 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42373/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. The Department became responsible for the Fishery Harbour Centres in October 2007. The Fishery Harbour Centres were established under the Fishery Harbour Centre Act 1968 (as amended) as centres in which to promote and develop sea fishing activities.
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) was established under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Act 2006 and is responsible (in conjunction with the Irish Naval Service) for the control and enforcement of Fisheries legislation. In this regard, the SFPA is the single legal competent authority responsible for the collection and reporting of fish landings into Ireland.
I have forwarded your question to the SFPA and have asked them to revert directly to the Deputy with the information requested.
1574. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value expressed in Euro of fish landed at Dingle and Castletownbere ports from Irish and non-Irish vessels for each of the 36 months from January 2018 to December 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42374/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. The Department became responsible for the Fishery Harbour Centres in October 2007. The Fishery Harbour Centres were established under the Fishery Harbour Centre Act 1968 (as amended) as centres in which to promote and develop sea fishing activities.
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) was established under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Act 2006 and is responsible (in conjunction with the Irish Naval Service) for the control and enforcement of Fisheries legislation. In this regard, the SFPA is the single legal competent authority responsible for the collection and reporting of fish landings into Ireland.
I have forwarded your question to the SFPA and have asked them to revert directly to the Deputy with the up to date figures requested. In the meantime, I wish to advise the Deputy that the SFPA publish Annual Statistics relating to landings in Irish ports and by Irish sea fishing vessels. These statistics are available on their website at www.sfpa.ie/Statistics/Annual-statistics/Annual-Statistics.
1575. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of bailiffs operating at Dingle and Castletownbere ports for the purposes of monitoring fish landings from Irish and non-Irish vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42375/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is an independent regulatory agency as set down in the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. My role as Minister relates solely to corporate governance.
The information requested with respect to the staffing levels operating at Dingle and Castletownbere ports is an operational matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. I have accordingly referred the Deputy's queries to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.
1576. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the operational guidelines for weighing fish landings for each of Irish and non-Irish vessels in Dingle and Castletownbere ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42376/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. As Minister, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters.
I have accordingly referred the Deputy's queries to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.
1577. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to issues UK citizens are experiencing when bringing pets here; if there are measures being considered to streamline this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42388/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince January 2021, as a consequence of the UK leaving the EU, there are additional requirements for pet cats, dogs and ferrets entering Ireland from Great Britain.
There are, however, no changes in respect of such pets entering Ireland from Northern Ireland.
Prior to January, cats, dogs and ferrets entering Ireland from the United Kingdom - as from all EU Member States - had to be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and accompanied by a EU Pet Passport.
Since then, there are additional requirements in respect of each pet travelling, or returning, from Great Britain to Ireland:
- they may only enter Ireland through certain Travellers’ Points of Entry - Dublin Airport, Dublin Port, Rosslare Port, Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy, Shannon Airport and Cork Airport.
- they must travel with either a health certificate issued by a UK official vet, or an EU pet passport. (EU pet passports issued by Northern Ireland remain valid for EU movement if they have been marked with a sticker by the issuing vet in Northern Ireland. An EU pet passport that was issued in GB is not valid for travel to the EU, even it was issued before January 2021).
- Dogs travelling from, or returning from, Great Britain to Ireland require treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis (tapeworm) by a veterinarian 24 to 120 hours (1 to 5 days) before arrival in Ireland.
Since January 2021, the movement of pets between Ireland and Northern Ireland has been covered by the Ireland – Northern Ireland Protocol, which forms part of the broader EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. Under the Protocol, Northern Ireland is subject to EU Regulation 576/2013 and so is still treated as if it were a Member State for the purposes of this Regulation.
Pet dogs, cats and ferrets travelling from Northern Ireland to Ireland must be microchipped, have a valid rabies vaccination and be accompanied by a valid EU or NI pet passport, or a EU health certificate - as heretofore.
The EU Commission has issued detailed guidance on this topic, as part of their series of Brexit Readiness Notices.
The Department has also issued a guidance document for pet travel after Brexit, and will continue to communicate with pet owners regarding the requirements for entering Ireland. The guidance document can be found here.
1578. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42389/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe named person submitted their Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application on 11/03/2021 in which he declared certain parcels eligible for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme. Following a review parcels by Satellite Imagery a parcel within this application was identified as being burned between 1st March and 31st August. It is specified in the 2021 BPS Terms & Conditions that land burnt between 1st March and the 31st August is not eligible for payment purposes under the Basic Payment Scheme. Accordingly, the burnt area has been deducted from the eligible area within the parcel leaving a reduced area upon which payment can be claimed for the 2021 BPS scheme year. The claiming of the ineligible area has resulted in an overclaim on this application.
The Department wrote to the person named on 19th August 2021 advising him of position in relation to this application. This letter includes details of the applicant's right of review and the relevant steps to take to seek a review.
An official from the Department will be in contact with the named person to provide assistance in relation to this matter.
1579. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process by which assessment and monitoring of inshore fishing information is gathered namely razor clam fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42394/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the Deputy is referring to the assessment and monitoring of inshore fisheries, such as those for razor clam. I should advise the Deputy that my Department’s role in sea-fisheries is to manage fishing opportunities available to the Irish fishing fleet and to prepare and oversee implementation of relevant policies in keeping with the Common Fisheries Policy.
Scientific assessments of sea-fish stocks, including inshore stocks, are carried out by the Marine Institute (MI). The MI is the statutory body whose function is inter alia to undertake sea-fisheries research, assess and advise on the sustainable exploitation of the marine fisheries resources in the waters around Ireland and on the impacts of fisheries on the ecosystem. The MI publishes annual stock books with information relevant to species subject to EU quotas fished both offshore and inshore and, together with BIM, also publishes the annual Shellfish Stocks and Fisheries Review that focuses on non-quota species such as razor clam, lobster and crab and the activity of the shellfish fleet. The MI publications can be found online at https://oar.marine.ie/.
The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. I am expressly precluded from getting involved in such operational matters.
1580. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline any sustainable fishing advocacy groups he is aware of in County Louth including local regional branches. [42395/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn responding to the Deputy I can advise that the coastal zone of County Louth comes under the area covered by the North East Regional Inshore Fisheries Forum (RIFF), which also includes the coastal zones of counties Meath and Dublin. The North East RIFF is part of the network of six Regional Forums around the coast that support the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF). The National and Regional Forums are consultative bodies, established to foster industry-led development of proposals for the management of non-quota stocks within six nautical miles of the Irish shore. Since their inception, the Forums have developed initiatives seeking to protect the future of the inshore sector, which is extremely important for Irish coastal communities. The Forums involve representation from inshore fishers, environmental interests, marine leisure, marine tourism and other marine stakeholders. A dedicated website provides information on the work of the Forums: www.inshoreforums.ie.
In addition, the Irish fishing industry has several Producer Organisations, including the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO), the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO), the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation (ISWFPO), the Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation (ISEFPO) and the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO). Seafood processors are represented by the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association (IFPEA). All of these are national groups and cover, as appropriate, operators in County Louth. The Clogherhead Fishermen’s Co-operative also is based in County Louth.
1581. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 566 of 9 July 2019, the steps he has taken to provide data to support the climate threats posed by the Mercosur deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42521/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the announcement of the EU Mercosur political agreement in June 2019, the Government launched a full Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment (ESIA) to establish the impact of the agreement on Ireland.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which leads on Trade policy for Ireland, contracted Implement Consulting Group to carry out this independent research, and my Department and Teagasc participated on the Steering Committee.
The terms of reference for the ESIA included provision of a detailed analysis of potential environmental impacts, both direct and indirect, of the future agreement for Ireland and Mercosur, and the process included a wide-ranging consultation with Irish agri-food stakeholders and non-Governmental Organisations. The final report was published on 21st July 2021.
The environmental analysis in the ESIA estimates the environmental impact of the agreement to be relatively marginal.
Without mitigating actions, global Green House Gas (GHG) emissions are forecast to be 0.03% higher in 2035 than they would have been due to the Agreement. On land use and deforestation, it notes that the overall trade-induced impacts from the Agreement are projected to be marginal and, as a result, land use intensity in Mercosur is also expected to increase slightly by up to 1%, driven mainly by grains, vegetable and fruit production.
The agreement includes a detailed chapter on Sustainable Development, and recognises the need to address the urgent threat of climate change and the role that trade has in this regard. It also underscores the importance of both Parties implementing the provisions of the Paris Agreement. The ESIA confirms this, and highlights an explicit mechanism whereby concerns can be raised about environmental and labour conditions on a bilateral basis in a manner that is transparent and subject to public accountability.
I believe it is critical that these environmental provisions are strictly adhered to for the agreement to progress. I also note that additional text to the Agreement on climate and deforestation is currently being negotiated to strengthen these provisions. The Government, including my Department, is inputting to these discussions at EU level. It makes no logical or moral sense for the Mercosur bloc to be allowed to flout environmental conditions when countries like Ireland play such a leadership role in this space.
