Martin Heydon
Kildare South · Fine Gael · Ireland
“In the time allotted to us, I would say we will not be able to cover everything in CAP. To take the last point first, the budget is everything. While it is not part of my negotiations as chair of the AGRIFISH Council, it is a key focus of the Irish Presidency.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this important point. A key focus of Food Vision 2030, the shared stakeholder-led strategy for the agrifood sector, is to grow the value of Irish agrifood exports in international markets, which, as I outlined earlier, we have been very successful at in recent years.”
“All producers selling raw milk must register with my Department and are subject to risk-based official controls that include inspection, audit and sampling.”
“Whether it is farmers with particular issues that are leading to environmental issues or issues with structures that need to be replaced, we are very lucky to have capital support in agriculture. I really believe in our TAMS structure.”
“I was delighted to be able to introduce the tillage sustainability support scheme earlier this year. I have not been found wanting in standing up and supporting a tillage sector that has been under pressure in recent times. The same applies to horticulture.”
“Following the publication of the report, I wrote to the chairperson of the board on 22 June 2026, requesting that the board develop a timely and effective action plan to address the recommendations in the report, and I will be seeking regular updates on its progress. I want to see these recommendations implemented and progressed.”
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“I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. First, I extend my sympathy to the flock owner affected in Carlow. We have a 3 km protection zone and a 10 km zone in place, as is procedure. At noon today, I announced the introduction of a housing order in consultation with my colleague in Northern Ireland, the Minister, Mr. Muir. That will take effect in Ireland from next Monday because we need to allow time for our flock owners and commercial operators to put housing in place. We will work across areas. We are aware of the challenges for Fota Island. We want Fota Wildlife Park to be able to continue to care for the animals in that space. I remind the public that we are in a time now of higher risk of avian influenza. The migratory birds have landed here and are carrying it.”
“I stand full square with them, as does the Government, in doing everything we can to retain the derogation beyond the end of this year.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this point. We in government fundamentally believe in the importance of the nitrates derogation. Our 7,000 derogation farmers are operating to a higher level of environmental sustainability and with a higher level of conditionality to meet that point. We know the economic value it has for our country, with 49% of our dairy herd in derogation and producing 65% of our milk. The majority of the €6.3 billion worth of exports from our dairy sector, which is so important to our rural economy, comes from that area. That is why it is a top priority for me that I continue in my engagement with the Commission. Commissioner Roswall will visit Ireland later in the week. I addressed the meeting in Cork last night that 2,000 farmers attended looking for the retention of the nitrates derogation.”
“As Minister, I am committed, alongside my Government colleagues, to defending the interests of the Irish fishing sector and securing a sustainable future for the sector. It is a sector that makes an invaluable contribution to our coastal communities and the rural economy. We will continue to work on addressing the issues it faces on behalf of the communities that rely on that activity for their livelihood. I thank the Office of the Ceann Comhairle for facilitating this important debate today.”
“We believe this position is reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides, at Article 121, paragraph 3, that, "Rocks which cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own shall have no exclusive economic zone or continental shelf." I assure the House that reaching an agreement on issues relating to Rockall remains an important issue for the Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is in ongoing contact with the relevant Scottish and UK authorities in this regard. This is an area to which the Minister of State has committed to contributing constructively in the months ahead, as he has in his time in this portfolio to date. The programme for Government recognises the valuable role of fisheries in this country.”
“The consistent position of successive Irish Governments is that Ireland does not recognise Britain's claim of sovereignty over Rockall. Accordingly, Ireland does not accept that a 12 nautical mile or 22 km territorial sea exists around Rockall. We understand that the UK takes a different view. In addition, Rockall, and similar rocks and skerries, have no significance for generating an exclusive economic zone or establishing legal claims to the continental shelf.”
“There are long-established and mutually beneficial trading relationships between food producers in Ireland and food businesses and retailers in the UK. A comprehensive SPS agreement would greatly reduce the administrative burden on agrifood businesses exporting to the UK. Many Deputies have raised the issue of Rockall, both today and in previous debates, and the desire of Irish fishermen to return to fishing in the waters around Rockall, especially for squid. Rockall is a small, uninhabitable rock located approximately 160 nautical miles west of the Scottish islands of St. Kilda and 230 nautical miles to the north-west of Donegal, as we all know. Ireland has not sought to claim sovereignty over Rockall. The UK claimed sovereignty over Rockall in 1955 and sought to formally annex it as part of Scotland under its 1972 Island of Rockall Act.”
“Ireland sought the longest possible extension to the status quo , on condition of there being no additional quotas transferred to the UK. The fisheries agreement reached sees an extension of 12 years of the status quo to June 2038, significantly longer than the four years previously sought by the United Kingdom. The certainty of an agreement to extend reciprocal access for EU and UK vessels to fish in each other’s waters for a period of 12 years, with no change to existing quota shares, is therefore welcome and a much better outcome than some of the other possibilities. I also welcome the commitment to the negotiation of a sanitary and phytosanitary, SPS, agreement between the EU and the UK. This will be based on dynamic alignment by the UK with EU food safety standards and rules.”
“Without the agreement at the May summit, we faced the possibility of the UK either refusing to agree to a multi-year reciprocal access arrangement or seeking further quota transfers in order to agree to continued access for EU vessels. This was especially relevant as we approach the end of the adjustment period. This was critically important for Ireland as we suffered disproportionately on quota transfers in the TCA and we were determined not to lose one more fish. Given the number of fish stocks shared between the EU and UK - over 80 - it would not be feasible to negotiate and agree on access to waters and quotas on an annual basis. Therefore, the priority was to secure a continuation of the current arrangements with continued reciprocal access and no further transfers in quota from the EU to the UK.”
“I know it was a significant frustration to the sector that Ireland did not get some quota back from the UK in the discussions which ended in May this year. The challenge we have faced in this area has been the comparative strength of the UK's negotiating position vis-à-vis the EU’s. UK vessels do not rely on access to EU waters to fish to the same extent that EU vessels do. North Sea member states such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Sweden are particularly reliant on access to the UK's exclusive economic zone, EEZ. While Irish vessels are not as dependent, we fish approximately one third of our catch in UK waters. Therefore, in the 2020 EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, a strategic link was established between fisheries and energy.”
“Opening up this issue is difficult, as other member states are resistant to any discussion on amending relative stability for this stock. As is the case across quota stocks in the EU, any change to relative stability would involve a loss for some other member states and, therefore, would pose particular challenges in a qualified majority voting context. However, the case for a national quota for bluefin tuna is supported by the data collected in the catch-tag-release science-based fishery for authorised recreational angling vessels. The Minister of State and I will continue to support our efforts on this at every available opportunity. The ongoing impacts of Brexit to the sector and the extension to the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, TCA, has also been raised in the House.”
“This fishery is most beneficial to Ireland, as it increases our knowledge of the behaviour and abundance of bluefin tuna, while also providing a small but valuable tourism benefit to peripheral coastal communities. Ireland has made it clear to EU member states and the European Commission that there is a case for an allocation of the EU’s bluefin tuna quota to be made available to Ireland. The case is supported by the data collected in the catch-tag-release science-based fishery for authorised recreational angling vessels. Ireland has requested the opening of discussions at EU level to progress Ireland’s case and has made formal statements on the matter at numerous fisheries Council meetings in recent years.”
“However, a small bluefin tuna by-catch quota is available to Ireland, primarily for use in our important northern albacore tuna fishery and Celtic Sea herring fishery, where there can be bluefin tuna by-catch. In 2018, Ireland was successful, for the first time, in securing an agreement that allowed it to set up a catch-tag-release fishery to contribute to the collection of scientific data for the bluefin tuna stock. This catch-tag-release science-based fishery for authorised recreational angling vessels has been in place since 2019 and supports the collection of valuable data on the migratory patterns of bluefin tuna in Irish waters.”
“Discussions are ongoing to explore options within the constraints of both EU and national Exchequer funding and the relevant EU and national legislation. As regards bluefin tuna, I fully understand the very strong lobby among Irish fishermen for Ireland to receive an allocation of the EU's bluefin tuna quota. Ireland has a national quota for northern albacore tuna. Annual catch limits are set by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas based on scientific advice. Ireland does not have a national quota for bluefin tuna. The available bluefin tuna quota is allocated each year to member states based on relative stability, as established in the late 1990s. At that time, Ireland did not have a track record of commercial fishing for bluefin tuna and, accordingly, did not receive a quota allocation.”
“We will call for the European Commission to identify and adopt suitable measures to respond to this crisis and, in particular, to bring forward measures regarding third countries which fail to co-operate and allow unsustainable fishing of a stock of common interest for the Union. Ireland will support the EU in taking a stand to engage constructively and as an equal partner with our fellow coastal states in the north-east Atlantic on the sustainable management of our shared fisheries resources. However, we must send a clear signal that the EU will no longer tolerate actions which threaten the sustainability of this vital natural resource or the viability of the EU’s seafood sector. In addition, we are committed to working across government to assess what supports may be available to the seafood sector in this very difficult context.”
“The Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, and I share many of the concerns raised during the debate, particularly those in relation to the setting of fishing opportunities in 2026. As has been outlined, on 30 September, the International Council for Exploration of the Seas published deeply concerning advice for widely distributed pelagic stocks in 2026, including mackerel, blue whiting and boarfish, which were said to be depleted. This has caused deep and understandable concern in the sector. Given the urgent nature of these concerns, Ireland will bring a point to the agenda under "any other business" at the EU AGRIFISH Council next week, calling for urgent EU action to save north-east Atlantic pelagic stocks.”
“Regarding the specific questions Deputy Collins raised, in my ten minutes here I do not have time to go through them all but the Minister of State will engage with the Deputy in correspondence on those very detailed, specific points. I flag here that the waters around Ireland’s 7,500 km coastline have always been a source of remarkable seafood. Fishing remains of significant social and economic importance to Ireland and for many of our coastal communities, it is intrinsically linked to their identity and way of life. The sector employs over 15,000 people on fishing vessels and aquaculture sites, in processing operations and in the distribution of seafood. It helps to sustain vibrant rural and coastal communities across Ireland. Right now, however, the sector is under significant pressure.”
“I thank Deputies for their engagement in what is a really important debate on the issues in respect of fisheries. The concern in all our coastal communities, as raised by Deputies, is very evident, particularly in Donegal and Cork where fishing is such an intrinsic part of our economic activity, as it is in Waterford and Dublin - the latter which is sometimes forgotten in terms of costal communities and economic activity - and, as the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, knows all too well, Clare. Deputy Lawless raised specific points which relate to inland fisheries that the Minister of State, wearing his other hat, will come back to from the other Department's side.”
“That could really move the dial for those farmers who are struggling. Beyond that is the medium-term piece, where we can really instil confidence. Looking at all of the challenges we discussed here late last night in respect of agriculture, including generational renewal, that medium-term goal of giving confidence through adding value to the remarkable produce our tillage farmers produce is a very big prize. That is something I am determined to pursue in my time as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for this opportunity. I look forward to hearing the contributions of Members of the House today.”
“We should learn from the dairy sector, which was able to find the additionality and added value that allowed it not to be dependent only on the crude instrument of world market prices, which come with a great deal of volatility. I get this industry. I have its back. I want to continue to support it. I would have liked to have had more money for the sector in this budget but it is a solid base as the first of five budgets I intend to bring in. It is a clear indication of my commitment to supporting this sector throughout my time in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. In many ways, the bigger prize will be beyond one-off payments. It will be about designing a scheme that is targeted to ensure the benefits get to the farmers who need them the most through a direct payment per hectare.”
“While I did secure €50 million in a budget that was very constrained and where there were a lot of competing demands, I commit to continuing to work with all stakeholders and with Members of this House to identify value-added opportunities. That might be new milling facilities or supporting businesses in taking up the opportunities they have. It might be looking at our whiskey file and the role Irish whiskey has to play. This is another sector that is experiencing very strong difficulties this year as a result of the tariffs. It might involve looking at the role quality assurance can play or looking at the use of native grains to ensure we can monetise the increased benefits and value of those grains as a feedstuff and feed source. That value-added piece is the bigger prize in the medium term.”
“On the night, I could not commit to getting that over the line in my budget negotiations but I did commit to doing everything I could. As the discussion went on over two and a half hours and as the questions and back and forth began, it was made very clear that, while the financial element is important as an indication to instil confidence in people who are considering whether to sow again next year or this autumn, it is only a short-term measure to provide confidence. The medium-term measure is to look at those areas encompassed in the Food Vision tillage group report. Those measures can really move us away from our dependence and reliance on world market prices, which are depressed in the tillage sector at the minute.”
“Additionally, a subgroup of the agriculture water quality working group is due to consider the issues and develop proposals to increase the exchange of nutrients between livestock farmers and tillage farmers. I recently attended a meeting in the Killashee Hotel in County Kildare where well over 700 tillage farmers turned up. As a farmer in south Kildare and a resident in a strong tillage area, many of whose neighbours are tillage farmers, I know that does not normally happen in the sector. Tillage farmers do not normally do protests or turn out in such numbers but they did so because of the cumulative effects of three years of really difficult market conditions and the very difficult position of world market prices. At that meeting, which was held before the budget, those farmers talked about the need for financial support in this budget.”
“Facilitating and encouraging the exchange of nutrients between livestock and tillage farmers was identified as an important action to help alleviate pressure on land. In response, my Department provided additional support under TAMS through the nutrient importation scheme in August 2024 and enhanced grant aid for nutrient storage in January 2025. Accelerated capital allowances for manure storage investment have also been provided. These were renewed in budget 2026 for a period of four years rather than the normal three years to provide additional certainty for farmers in planning their investments. Verifying organic nutrient movements has also been made easier for importing and exporting farmers through the launch in January 2025 of my Department's organic nutrient movement mobile phone app.”
“This new technology will allow farmers to demonstrate their carbon footprint and to identify further mitigation strategies tailored to their individual farms while at the same time allowing tillage farmers to demonstrate the sector's low-carbon credentials. As outlined in the Food Vision tillage report, we must consider how best to develop the possibility of a sustainable quality assurance scheme for tillage. This will require thorough engagement between all stakeholders but, if done right, it has the potential to help open new value-added market opportunities, particularly in the area of premium food and drinks, where sustainability and providence are increasingly valued by both consumers and industry. The Food Vision tillage report highlighted access to land as a key challenge for increasing the area under tillage crops.”
“I believe in the importance of developing new value-added opportunities for the sector to enhance its long-term sustainability, something that is highlighted in the Food Vision tillage report, despite current headwinds, including a challenging market outlook and the instability of export markets brought about by tariffs, which created an extra challenge for malting barley growers this year. I hope this is short-lived. I note positive developments such as the news that Diageo plans to double the brewing capacity of its new carbon-neutral facility in south Kildare and the launch of the National Centre for Brewing and Distilling at Oak Park in Carlow in June, both of which point to potential value-added opportunities for Irish grain. The development of new technologies such as AgNav is also an important step forward.”
“It is a comprehensive report that lists 28 action points under several themes and identifies opportunities to grow the sector and to further improve its environmental footprint. Engagement with the Food Vision tillage group continues through the sharing of updates on progress on actions to date from my Department, Teagasc and other industry stakeholders. I chaired the Food Vision high-level implementation committee at the Teagasc crops open day in June, when we were updated on progress across a number of areas. My Department continues to engage with stakeholders to progress the actions in the report. It will require collaboration and sustained effort from all stakeholders in the sector if it is to succeed.”
“This ambition is well founded given that tillage is the most carbon efficient sector of Irish agriculture. In 2022, the agricultural emissions on specialist tillage farms expressed in tonnes of CO2 equivalent per hectare was just 1.9 tonnes. Of course, before the area can be grown, it needs to be stabilised. While the area under tillage has increased by 21,000 ha or 7% since 2020, it remained almost static last year. Where land leaves tillage for grass, it rarely comes back. The Food Vision tillage group was established in 2023 to set out a roadmap for the sustainable growth and development of the sector. The final report of the group was published in May of last year.”
“Having secured a funding allocation for a new tillage support scheme, I intend to consult further with stakeholders on its design and operation. These measures will help support tillage farm incomes and will provide a strong base to protect the future of tillage farming in Ireland. I will continue to work with the tillage sector and provide targeted support where possible given the strategic importance of the sector within the wider agricultural industry. As I have mentioned, this Government is committed to growing the area under tillage in the years ahead. This will require work in a range of areas in addition to immediate financial support. The current area under tillage is approximately 335,000 ha. The climate action plan sets a target to increase this to 400,000 ha by 2030.”
“These schemes made a significant contribution to the tillage sector in recent years as well as contributing to meeting Ireland's environmental objectives through positively altering practices at farm level. The Government recognises the importance of the tillage sector as an integral part of the Irish agricultural industry and is committed to growing the area under tillage crops in line with climate action plan targets. At a challenging time for the sector, I will be supporting growers in 2026 with funding through a new tillage support scheme, in conjunction with the protein aid scheme and the straw incorporation measure, providing targeted supports of at least €50 million. This marks a significant and direct investment by the Government, evidencing its commitment to the sector.”
“In addition, the Farming for Water European innovation partnership, EIP, has a budget of €60 million to support targeted on-farm additional measures to improve water quality, including the establishment of cover crops. This year, almost 1,400 tillage farmers have expressed an interest in establishing cover crops under the EIP. If this high level of interest translates to the area of cover crops sown, it will significantly increase our national area under cover crops, providing benefits for water quality and soil health. The tillage capital investment scheme under targeted agriculture modernisation schemes, TAMS, provides important support for a broad range of investments to support farmers to achieve improved competitiveness, increased efficiency, growth and environmental benefits.”
“I made this decision early to give certainty to those farmers while also providing an economic boost. There was flexibility for farmers to withdraw from the scheme in certain circumstances - for example, where straw is required for livestock - to safeguard supply across all sectors. In February, I announced €32.4 million of payments under the tillage and horticulture support scheme, which was the Government's response to the difficult position tillage and horticulture farmers found themselves due to exceptionally poor weather and continued high input costs the previous spring. This exceeded the €30 million provided for in the 2025 budget but I was anxious we would be able to make the payment on every hectare of eligible ground.”
“This year, the budget for protein aid is €10 million, having increased from €7 million to €10 million annually from last year. This is a significant support for crops such as peas and beans, which are excellent protein feed sources and provide important environmental benefits. The straw incorporation measure is very popular among farmers and I am a huge fan of it. It demonstrates the sector's commitment to climate and the environment through increasing carbon sequestration. It is a scheme that tillage farmers have come to rely on from an income perspective and when it comes to making cropping decisions for the year. This year, over 66,000 ha of cereals and oilseed rape straw were submitted for chopping and incorporating. I gave a commitment to pay all farmers who applied under the scheme.”
“It also makes a significant contribution to the Irish economy, at an estimated €1.9 million per annum over the 2018 to 2022 period, and it supports the equivalent of over 11,000 full-time jobs. As a Government, we have provided a range of significant supports to tillage farmers in recent years. Since assuming this role, I have taken every opportunity available to me to support the sector further. In addition to the commitments in budget 2026, on which I will speak further in due course, my Department has already delivered substantial supports to tillage farmers in recent years. Schemes specific to the tillage sector include the straw incorporation measure, the tillage incentive scheme, protein aid and the tillage capital investment scheme. They have all proved hugely popular among tillage growers.”
“This, along with the high costs of production, has significantly impacted on the margin for growers, with crops on rented land particularly challenged. I have been engaging directly with the farming organisations on these challenges. The tillage sector really is an absolutely vital cog in the wheel of agriculture and agrifood produce. Like any gearbox that has cogs in it, all sectors and all cogs are dependent on each other. If one does not work correctly, the wheel does not turn. This is very much the case with all of the other parts of the agricultural sector. They depend on us having a strong and vibrant tillage sector. It is an integral part of Irish farming, producing high-quality animal feed and bedding for the livestock sector and ingredients for the food and drink industry.”
“I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to address the House today on the significant challenges facing our tillage sector. Before I outline the Government's response, I will begin by acknowledging the strain that many farming families in the sector face. Coming on the back of two horrendously difficult years weatherwise, thankfully conditions for harvest 2025 were much more favourable. It has allowed field work to be undertaken and completed in a timely fashion. This was much needed as many spring crops have not come in as well as winter crops. However, the sector has encountered additional pressures, not least the challenging market situation and downward price pressure internationally.”
“She framed her address in the grief, distress and pain of families of young children. She made a statement that the Tánaiste was "the only person responsible". I think she said it twice, actually. It was an incredibly personalised direct attack. We have become used to this from the Opposition but it will never be acceptable in discourse. Deputy McDonald proceeded to blatantly make references to the election that will happen in this country at the end of next week. The mask slipped from the Deputy. She showed her true colours. She showed her true motivation, which was the political point-scoring she wanted to deliver here today. My third point is that-----”
“My second point is to question the timing of the proposed motion that Deputy Tóibín flagged he would bring before the House next week. The Dáil resumed after the summer break in mid-September, four weeks ago today. Five weeks would have passed by the time Deputy Tóibín presented the motion that he said he would lay before the House next week.”
“I rise today to make three quick points in the short time I have available. First, it is the Government's commitment and determination to make progress in spinal services for children. The focus of our current and previous Ministers for Health has been on delivering considerable resources and addressing structural impediments to the delivery of improved spinal services. I want to say to Stephen and Gillian Morrison Sherratt that young Harvey's memory - I say this as a father of young children - stays with us all of the time as we try to address this issue. There is no shortage of compassion or empathy. There is no monopoly on compassion or empathy in trying to address what is such a challenging issue for the families who are deeply affected.”
“In relation to points made about standards, we should recognise there are two different types of standards here. The SPS standards are our food safety standards which are absolutely non-negotiable. We do not allow hormone-fed beef into Europe. It is the environmental standards that are going to be at odds, and that is what we raised the issues about.”
“I will not waste lots of time talking about it. A number of EU countries, such as Spain and others, and their ministers for agriculture speak glowingly of Mercosur. That is a fact. Those meetings are public and open for people to see. I do not need list the countries in question. We are in the minority at that Council in terms of continually raising concerns around this space. However, we do it because of the sensitivity for our beef sector and others. Previously, others that were in that space with us were the French and Polish, while the Austrians and Italians also have concerns. It requires at least four member states working together as a bloc and that combined they would constitute at least 35% of the population of the EU. If that falls away, there is not that ability to block in that space.”
“Because of the fact that we will be in the chair next year as a country, when they tell me what their priorities are, I will take the opportunity to highlight what our priorities are on the CAP, how we have to maintain the nitrates derogation and our serious concerns on the Mercosur deal. The fact is that a minimum of four countries is needed for a blocking minority for the Mercosur agreement, if and when it comes to a vote. There would not be a vote at the AGRIFISH Council. It would be either a vote of the trade or of the ambassadors. We we know what qualified majority voting means as well.”
“It is very clear, as I sit on the AGRIFISH Council, that some of my colleague Ministers for agriculture speak glowingly of the Mercosur agreement and what it would mean for their farmers and agricultural sectors. There are some countries that are very strongly of the view that this an agreement that should have been agreed ages ago. Not every country is opposed to it. We work with like-minded countries. I will be the chair of the AGRIFISH Council from 1 July next year when Ireland takes over the Presidency of the EU. I am meeting with many colleagues in bilateral meetings on what their priorities are for renegotiating the CAP and other issues. In all of those meetings I am highlighting my specific concerns around Mercosur.”
“Pending that examination, Ireland's position on the EU-Mercosur agreement remains as clearly outlined in the programme for Government: "[To] Work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal." That is what we continue to do.”
“Since my appointment as Minister earlier this year, I have raised these concerns at AGRIFISH Council meetings and with like-minded member states through bilateral meetings on the margins of Council meetings. In recent months, I have met with my French, Austrian and Latvian counterparts, in addition to Polish and other counterparts, to exchange views. The Commission recently announced its proposed approach to ratification and its proposal for a regulation implementing the bilateral safeguard clause within the agreement on agricultural products. Our officials are currently examining these proposals in detail to see if they provide any of the additional assurances required.”
“Along with the Tánaiste, who has lead responsibility for trade policy, I have actively engaged with both the European Commission and other member states across the EU to voice Ireland's concerns on the EU-Mercosur agreement. Ireland has serious concerns on the preferential access being given to Mercosur if South American farmers are not subject to the same sustainable farming standards as our own farmers. We have repeatedly emphasised that beef in particular is a very sensitive sector which is vulnerable to negative impacts from the Mercosur agreement. During these engagements, the Tánaiste and I have also repeatedly emphasised Ireland's requirements for credible, legally binding commitments on matters relating to trade and sustainable development, including climate, biodiversity, and deforestation protections.”
“The regulations put into law certain requirements for sellers and suppliers of pet animals, including the minimum age for the sale of certain mammals, record keeping, registration with my Department and the provision of specific information about pets in advertisements. Under these regulations, anyone who sells or supplies six or more pet animals in a year must register with my Department and must submit an inspection report signed by a private veterinary practitioner as part of the registration process. We will review every measure and make sure that, if it is not as robust as we would like, we will change it and make it more robust. I look forward to working with Deputy Lawlor on this.”
“We are reviewing the legislation. This is a responsibility that has come into my domain in recent months. As a Deputy who was part of the negotiating team for the programme for Government, and having been a Minister of State in the Department of agriculture, I was really keen for this to come under the remit of agriculture. I thought it was the right fit and that it is the right place for it to be. Mindful that I might be in this role, this is something I was very keen to see in the Department's remit. I am glad it is there and I want to work on it and progress it during my time as Minister. Deputy Lawlor referred to the sale of pets. My Department previously introduced a statutory instrument, the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations.”
“Regulations for cats and dogs are being worked on at present on an EU-wide level. My Department is currently engaged in consultation with other member states on new proposals on European regulations on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats. This includes provisions to ensure the breeding strategies do not include genotypes that have a detrimental effect on the health and welfare of dogs and cats. When that regulation is passed, it will be applicable to all member states, including Ireland.”
“My Department is committed to reviewing all legislation relating to dogs, and in this regard it will be guided by the recommendations of the dog control stakeholder group. I expect the group to revert to me with recommendations on the matter in due course. In the meantime, I am fully committed to progressing the work in this area. My Department is also aware of the campaign the Deputy references and will consider all views when reviewing legislation. It is very important that if members of the public are aware of any issues of suspected abuse or neglect, they contact my Department. We have a helpline phone number and a direct email address through which any fears people have are dealt with in a very confidential manner and are investigated and followed up. That is very important for people to know as well.”