12 Beal 2014, 16:33
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine tomorrow continues its hearings into maximising the potential of land across Ireland when it meets with the representatives of Bord na Móna and Dr Helen Sheridan and Dr Paul Murphy at UCD's School of Agriculture and Food Science.
12 May 2014
Committee Chairman Andrew Doyle says: “Over a series of hearings, the Committee is exploring how best to balance four key demands for our land into the future, namely, increasing food production under Food Harvest 2020, offsetting carbon, the provision of clean water and lastly, the protection of habitats for biodiversity.
“Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to hear from Bord na Móna officials on their plans for lands which extend to approximately 80,000 hectares and are located mainly in the Irish midlands. The Committee looks forward to exploring how the company is planning to further develop the potential of the lands for renewable energies, such as for wind and biomass. Dr Helen Sheridan and Dr Paul Murphy, leading experts in the area from UCD's School of Agriculture and Food Science, will also brief the Committee. The School's mission is to develop and apply the science and scholarship of agriculture, food, environmental sciences and rural development for the benefit of society through excellence in education, research, innovation and continuing professional development.”
Prior to the discussion on land use, the Committee will consider the following EU legislative proposals:
- COM(2014)180 which relates to organic production and labelling of organic products, and
- COM(2014)195 which relates to certain fishing opportunities
Non-priority proposals COM(2014)129; COM(2014)137; COM(2014)174; COM(2014)189; COM(2014)190 and COM(2014)191 will also be considered.
The meeting takes place tomorrow Tuesday 13 May at 2 pm in Committee Room 3, LH 2000. The meeting will commence in private with consideration of the EU legislative proposals, before reverting to public session to outline the outcomes of these discussions.
Public proceedings can be viewed online here.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
ENDS
View Committee Membership.
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926