Results 781-800 of 1,036,719 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Peter Kelly OR speaker:Brendan Howlin OR speaker:Joe Flaherty OR speaker:Alan Dillon OR speaker:Pat Buckley) in 'Committee meetings'

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

Aengus Ó Snodaigh: -----and then amendment No. 3, and amendments Nos. 1, 3 and 4 to amendment No. 3, and amendment No. 31.

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

Brendan Howlin: I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach.

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

Thomas Pringle: I wanted to ask a quick question of the Minister, if I can. The Damache judgment was in October 2020. We are now in July 2024. The Minister said that these Bills come up at a certain time and have to be dealt with. What actually happened between October 2020 and now, that it could not come up before this? I wonder what the situation is on that. It is obviously not rushed or urgent...

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

Brendan Howlin: As I said, this is a hotchpotch of a Bill because it deals with everything from broadcasting, to the Department of public expenditure with regard to pensions, to revocation of citizenship under the 1956 Act. Some things are proper to an end-of-term miscellaneous provisions discussion, things that we all agree should be done, and there will not be any suitable vehicle coming through. ...

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 will do the good bits first. Without being patronising, as a committee we are predominantly a male bastion so it is fantastic to see that 75% of the speakers are female and from a science background. As the Government is constantly trying to encourage more young people and especially women into science, today is a heartening day. That is part of the good news. The other good news is...

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?