Results 761-780 of 1,037,225 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Mick Barry OR speaker:Mark Ward OR speaker:Richard Bruton OR speaker:Joe Flaherty) in 'Committee meetings'

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: There is a tradition in the Civil Service not to do something this year that was not done last year. However, we are at a particularly challenging point for agriculture in Ireland. Is there capacity in the EPA to look at doing a January to June 2024 report on water quality to be published in December 2024?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I appreciate that it would be a snapshot, but it would give us an insight into whether we are getting improvements. At the moment, we are taking a leap of faith as we will not see the improvements in the reduction of nitrogen use for six to 12 months. At least, if we could see an indicative report in December this year for January to June 2024, we would know we are on the right track and it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: Exactly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: The EPA could send us a draft report.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: The water quality report is very good, but there is never specific mention in it of wastewater. Agriculture is mentioned many times and I appreciate that we are the primary source of nitrates in water, but the next one is wastewater. Can the EPA give us an indication of whether there have been improvements and what it is doing in enforcement? If there is a rogue in the room, there is a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: My next question is about enforcement and is directed at Mr. Byrne. There has been no significant change in the biological quality of rivers or waters. There have been some improvements but these have been offset by the declines in other areas. If I was looking after enforcement, I would do it strategically on key areas. Can Mr. Byrne set out a map in terms of enforcement? Is the EPA...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: Are all those 57 positions filled?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: We did 1,000 inspections for agriculture in 2022 while 1,100 last year were targeted and the number for 2024 was 3,500. What was the number at the end of June?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: The EPA must have some indication.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: At best, will we be under 2,000 for this year?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: There is obviously a failing on the part of some of these local authorities in that they have been given the posts and they are not filling them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I know the EPA is very politically correct with its answers but are there rogue local authorities that are not shouldering their weight?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: We have targets for water quality to 2027. Obviously the EPA is looking at the figures and real-time reports. It is dependent on an annual report that is at best dated. From where the EPA is sitting, does it see itself attaining those 2027 targets given where we are now and the likely projections in terms of progress? Are the water quality targets for 2027 attainable?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: What do we need to do to move that dial?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2024)

Joe Flaherty: Will Dr. Cotter come back to the committee on whether the EPA can do an interim six-month report in December?

Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: I did not intend to speak on this amendment but I will do so because a very interesting debate has commenced since I came into the Chamber. I came in here intending to speak on amendments Nos. 7 to 12, inclusive, which seek to give effect to another High Court decision - in the case of A & B v. the International Protection Office and the Minister - which was delivered in March of...

Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2024)

Brendan Howlin: It was October 2022.

Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: We are three years on from the Damache case, in which the Supreme Court declared sections 19(2) and 19(3) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 to be unconstitutional. We sat on it for quite some time. The Supreme Court provided some form of instruction to this House in terms of what to do. The Supreme Court decision said and recognised that the decision as to whether...

Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2024)

Brendan Howlin: Not by the Oireachtas.

Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Jul 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is ultimately a matter for the Oireachtas to determine-----