Results 201-220 of 766 for speaker:Pippa Hackett

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tree Remediation (25 May 2023)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Deputy for that. We examined quite thoroughly the idea of not requiring farmers to apply for felling licences. As part of Project Woodland, we examined the regulatory processes involved very extensively. We simply cannot allow farmers to fell trees without getting a licence. Felling entails a significant project that has an impact on the wider environment, so we do need to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 May 2023)

Pippa Hackett: I wish to speak about agricultural shows. They offer a wonderful family day out and are taking place in every corner of Ireland in the coming weeks and months. I urge anyone who has never been to an agricultural show to go to the Irish Shows Association website at irishshows.orgwhere he or she will find a full list of upcoming events. There is sure to be something in the local area over...

Seanad: Climate Action and Biodiversity (Mandates of Certain Organisations) Bill 2023: Second Stage (16 May 2023)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Senators and welcome this evening’s discussion on Coillte and Bord na Móna and the vital role each company has to play in helping to address our climate change and biodiversity objectives. I welcome the direction of the Bill. The spirit of the Bill is very much consistent with the programme for Government commitments in regard to each of the two companies. Let me...

Seanad: Climate Action and Biodiversity (Mandates of Certain Organisations) Bill 2023: Second Stage (16 May 2023)

Pippa Hackett: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Forestry Sector (26 Apr 2023)

Pippa Hackett: I thank Senator Boyhan for his continuing interest in the really important sector of forestry in Ireland. I welcome the opportunity to update him and other Senators on the progress that has been made on the application for state aid approval for the new forestry programme. As the Senator will know, and he alluded to it in his opening speech, the Government has committed to a €1.3...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Forestry Sector (26 Apr 2023)

Pippa Hackett: I will give the Senator a copy.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Forestry Sector (26 Apr 2023)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Senator. I do not think I need to reiterate - perhaps I do - that the issue of the state aid approval has been well flagged. It has been known since before the new year that we were awaiting the new state aid guidelines, and that we would not be able to launch a brand new scheme on 1 January, because we had to engage with the Commission and we had to seek the state aid approval....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Forestry Sector (26 Apr 2023)

Pippa Hackett: Recently. I do not have the date.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Forestry Sector (26 Apr 2023)

Pippa Hackett: I do not have the date on me. I can find it for the Senator and we can let him know.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Forestry Sector (26 Apr 2023)

Pippa Hackett: The formal submission has been made and we are confident that we have addressed all of the concerns the Commission had in the informal engagement. It is unfair for the Senator to say that the forestry sector is in crisis. I have been visiting forests around the country, and most recently at the weekend in my constituency. There are a lot of happy foresters out there. We are going to have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Forestry Sector (20 Apr 2023)

Pippa Hackett: The Department has delivered considerable reductions in the backlog of all forestry licences, as well as reductions in the time taken to process newer files, and, last year, we had another significant year-on-year increase in the number of licences issued. The backlog of licences on hand more than four months reduced from 6,000 applications in August 2021 to 3,700 at the start of 2022 and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Forestry Sector (20 Apr 2023)

Pippa Hackett: I will get the information on turnaround times to the Deputy. I do not have that specific detail to hand. There has been significant improvement in the turnaround times, which is welcome. I acknowledge the concerns and frustrations of forest owners in recent years at having to wait too long, quite frankly, for their licences. The work that has been done in my Department in the past two...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Forestry Sector (20 Apr 2023)

Pippa Hackett: As regards the new forestry programme, the formal process and submission is now under way. We have been informally engaging with the Commission in recent months but I am glad to report the formalised process is now under way. As regards ash dieback, we had the reconstitution and underplanting scheme, RUS, in place. However, I have committed to reviewing the scheme in the early part of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coillte Teoranta (9 Mar 2023)

Pippa Hackett: I thank Deputy Browne for the question. Historically, afforestation premia were provided for under European Council regulation 2080/92 and were available to both farmers and non-farmers. Lower maximum rates applied in the case of non-farmers. Within this regulation, non-farmers were defined as any other private, natural or legal person. I draw the Deputy's attention to the landmark 2003...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coillte Teoranta (9 Mar 2023)

Pippa Hackett: I thank the Deputy. It is not really a matter of the Department revising anything in relation to the state aid rules. We had to wait until 1 January when the guidelines had come into effect. It looks like public landowners may be able to avail as beneficiaries, without restrictions, of these state aids. Again, we are seeking legal advice on this issue. I understand the Oireachtas Joint...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Coillte Teoranta (9 Mar 2023)

Pippa Hackett: I reassure the Deputy that my Department is currently in the process of seeking that legal advice on this matter. Certainly, due consideration will be given to its application under the next forestry programme. With regard to a reissue of a shareholder letter of expectation, that is an issue we will consider, but we must discuss that and agree that with the Minister for Public...

Seanad: National Forestry Fund: Motion (8 Feb 2023)

Pippa Hackett: I thank Senator Boyhan and his colleagues for tabling the motion and giving us the opportunity to discuss forestry in the Seanad. It also gives me the opportunity to comment on some of the points raised and outline some of the ongoing developments in the sector. I welcome the interest in this matter, which is evident from the contributions that have been made. I emphasise once again the...

Forestry Strategy: Statements (26 Jan 2023)

Pippa Hackett: Let me be crystal clear. This new forestry programme will absolutely deliver on the right tree in the right place for the right reasons under the right management. Under the new programme, the incentives for native broadleaf forests, agroforestry and continuous cover forestry will be significantly increased, and there will also be support for a new forest type, emergent woodland. This is...

Forestry Strategy: Statements (26 Jan 2023)

Pippa Hackett: Genuine concerns in relation to forestry have been raised in recent weeks, in particular, in relation to the Irish Strategic Forestry Fund. We had Private Members' business on Tuesday and we spent over three hours in committee last night talking about some of the issues that have arisen. I am aware it also has come up in Leaders' Questions. I am happy to have a chance to speak about the...

Forestry Strategy: Statements (26 Jan 2023)

Pippa Hackett: Where are you getting this from?