Written Answers Nos. 734-753
734. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he will take to prevent a recurrence of the weeks of gorse fires at Ticknock in August 2025 (details supplied), which caused serious air pollution and increased carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51829/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am fully aware of the fires that occurred in Ticknock in August, and the disturbance and distress caused to those who live near the area. I would like to acknowledge the work of the emergency services during that period.
I understand that setting fire to land may be deemed criminal damage under the Criminal Damage Act 1991, which is enforceable by An Gardaí. These fires, were set during the nesting season and therefore may also be deemed illegal under the Wildlife Act 1976. The enforcement under this Act rests with the NPWS and an Gardaí.
My Department regularly issues fire warnings during the Spring and Summer depending on the fire risk.
Reduction and maintenance of high-risk vegetation (such as heather and gorse) is critical to managing fire risk. Some of these key preventative actions in high risk areas are directly supported through the network of schemes and European Innovation Partnership project.
While I am aware that in parts of the country there has been a tradition of burning vegetation to promote fresh growth, the incidences of this practice during the nesting season has declined in recent years, as a result of Department communications around this subject and in particular reminding farmers that they put their payments at risk if they are found to cause fires on their land during the nesting season.
There is a very firm link in recent years between these wildfires and the illegal dumping and burning of domestic waste, and malicious burning at forest amenity sites and turf bogs open to the public. I ask all countryside users to be vigilant, to report any suspicious activity to An Garda Síochána, and to report any uncontrolled or unattended fires immediately to the Fire and Emergency Services via 112/999 service.
735. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current funding allocated to biosecurity measures in the National Development Plan for the period 2026 to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51116/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department's allocation under the National Development Plan for the period 2026 to 2030 are currently being finalised.
Further information on the National Development Plan will be announced on Budget Day.
736. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement his Department had with Inland Fisheries Ireland regarding fish mortality events in the River Blackwater since 2024; and if continuous water quality monitoring has been considered at licensed discharge points. [51155/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra737. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has received reports of fish mortality in the River Blackwater in 2025; and if continuous monitoring of licensed discharge points is being considered. [51168/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 736 and 737 together.
My Department was involved with the interagency group (IAG) investigation of this incident on the River Blackwater which determined that there was no indication that livestock health, or food of animal origin from primary production, was affected by this incident. My Department participated in the IAG and attended the IAG meetings in a supporting role having regard to its statutory responsibilities for farm animal health and welfare. There have been no reports nor concerns relating to animal health and welfare associated with this incident reported to my Department.
My department has no role in the monitoring of licensed discharge points.
738. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider an issue regarding stamp duty for young farmers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51246/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government prioritises “supporting inter-generational farm succession”. Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the agri-food sector, states that generational renewal in farming is critically important to ensure the future viability and social sustainability of the Irish agri-food sector and of rural Ireland. There are a number of supports for generational renewal currently available to farmers under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027. These supports are complemented by a suite of strong national taxation measures and access to finance supports, as well as advisory and education & training supports. Stamp Duty Relief for Young Trained Farmers is one of those significant taxation measures.
The Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established to examine the issues influencing farm succession and, earlier this month, I announced publication of their report. The Commission has produced a thorough analysis and made 31 recommendations across a wide range of areas. For the Deputy’s information, the Report states that, “An age limit of 35 currently applies to the Stamp Duty Relief for Young Trained Farmers. Any extension of this age limit would negatively affect the intergenerational transfer of farms and the Commission does not believe it should be changed”.
An implementation group within my Department will now carefully consider the Commission recommendations, including those on taxation, and will engage with agricultural stakeholders and the relevant public bodies. As the Deputy is aware, taxation policy is primarily the responsibility of my colleague the Minister of Finance, and I will continue to work closely with him on taxation issues relating to the agri-food sector.
739. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if meat products produced through ritual slaughter methods, including halal, are required under current regulations to be labelled as such; if not, the rationale for this omission; and if he will consider changes to ensure clear consumer information. [51353/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMeat products produced through ritual slaughter methods, including Halal are not required to be labelled as such under EU Regulations. There are currently no moves to make it mandatory to include slaughter method on meat labels in the European Union or in Ireland.
740. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific meaning of the codes, such as 363 EC, found on packaged meat sold in Irish retail outlets; the extent to which these codes identify the method of slaughter; and whether the Department intends to make such information more transparent to consumers. [51354/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhere a food business handles and/or processes foods of animal origin that may need approval under the European Union (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 22/2020) they must apply to their Competent Authority and undergo a series of inspections. Once approved by the relevant competent authority, the food business is assigned a unique reference number called an ‘approval number’ which is listed in the database of approved establishments and appears on the Certificate of Approval granted to the food business in accordance with Regulation 7 of S.I. 22/2020.
Food Business Operators must not place a product of animal origin handled in an establishment subject to approval on a market unless it has an identification mark applied in accordance with Annex II, Section 1 of Regulation (EC) 853/2004.
The identification mark must indicate:
• The name of the country in which the establishment is located (e.g., IRELAND, or IE)
• The approval number of the establishment
• The abbreviation ‘EC’ (or one of the variations listed in Annex II, Section 1 of Regulation (EC) 853/2004).
The approval number issued by my Department to approved food businesses that handle and/or process foods of animal origin, currently takes the same format as the identification mark, for example, IE 1234 EC. The approval number and the identification mark are the unique combination of letters and numbers that identifies each approved establishment handling food of animal origin.
In accordance with Regulation 8 of S.I. 22/2020, the list of food business approvals is published on my Department’s website and can be found at the link below. The published data set includes the approval number of the food business, its name and the species and activities for which it has been approved to operate.
It is not possible from either the approval number or the identification mark to identify the method of slaughter used in these approved establishments and there is no legal requirement to indicate on labels the type of slaughter used. There is no current move within the European Union to mandate any information on labels linked to the method of slaughter.
741. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role of his Department in ensuring that consumers are provided with accurate and accessible information on the origin, processing, and slaughter methods of meat sold in Irish shops and supermarkets, including where ritual slaughter has taken place. [51355/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for verification that labelling of meat produced in establishments approved by my Department is compliant with EU Regulations, particularly EU Regulation 1169/2011 on food information for consumers. The particulars required to be present on labels include the name of the food, net weight, date of minimum durability, country of origin, storage instructions, nutritional declaration, etc. The EU labelling regulations do not require meat labels to indicate the method of slaughter or whether the meat came from animals slaughtered by ritual slaughter.
742. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount expended on cloud storage solutions in the past five years and to date in 2025; and if he will provide the data storage supplier, in tabular form. [51356/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor operational and security reasons, my Department has been advised by the National Cyber Security Centre not to disclose particular arrangements in place in relation to IT tools and services or details which could, in any way, identify potential vulnerabilities in Departmental Cybersecurity arrangements.
743. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support calls for the introduction of an income volatility mechanism from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51379/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra746. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support amending the young trained farmer relief to ensure that this relief is extended beyond the expiry date of 31 December 2025, as it is vital to facilitate generational renewal; if he will take steps to also ensure that the age limit for young trained farmers should be increased from the current 35 to include all qualifying young trained farmers under 40 when executing the transfer deed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51382/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra747. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support calls for an accelerated capital allowance for slurry storage and associated equipment (LESS), due to expire at the end of December 2025, to be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51383/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 743, 746 and 747 together.
While taxation policy is primarily the responsibility of my colleague the Minister of Finance, I work closely with him on taxation issues relating to the agri-food sector. Following consultations with stakeholders and consistent with the Government’s priorities, I make an annual submission to the Minister for Finance on taxation.
I am aware of the specific issues raised, however it would not be appropriate for me to comment in advance of the Budget on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.
744. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to revisit proposals from the Teagasc Pig Department regarding income smoothing measures, such as those based on the Australian model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51380/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe continued development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for my Department, given the pivotal role the industry plays in the national economic context. The sector generates substantial revenue and employment opportunities in rural areas, playing a crucial role in sustaining local economies.
I am aware of the work carried out by the Teagasc Pig Department in examining potential measures to address income volatility in the pig sector. Income volatility is experienced across many farming sectors.
A number of income volatility measures have been proposed over the years by different groups and have been assessed in the Irish context which includes the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). My officials have and will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders in examining such proposals.
There are a number of existing measures aimed at reducing risk and dealing with crises in the market. Currently, income volatility for farmers is addressed in the income tax system through “income averaging”. There have been a number of changes made to improve that system in recent years including an adjustment allowing for an opt-out in an exceptional year e.g. in a year of lower commodity prices when cashflow is reduced.
My Department continues to engage with Teagasc and industry stakeholders on a wide range of issues affecting the pig sector, including financial resilience and long term sustainability. By addressing challenges collaboratively and capitalising on opportunities, the sector can continue to thrive and contribute significantly to Ireland's agricultural and economic landscape.
745. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to support generational renewal in agriculture with the essential requirement for low-cost finance and installation aid to young farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51381/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Programme for Government prioritises “supporting inter-generational farm succession”. Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the agri-food sector, states that generational renewal in farming is critically important to ensure the future viability and social sustainability of the Irish agri-food sector and of rural Ireland. There are a number of supports for generational renewal currently available to farmers under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027. These supports are complemented by a suite of strong national taxation measures and access to finance supports, as well as advisory and education & training supports.
Farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions. The Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established to examine these issues and, earlier this month, I announced publication of their report. The Commission has produced a thorough analysis and made 31 recommendations across a wide range of areas including CAP Supports; Pensions; Taxation; Access to Finance; Access to Land; Collaborative Arrangements; Advisory Services; Education and Training; Gender Balance; and the Overall Attractiveness of the Sector. An implementation group within my Department will now carefully consider these recommendations, including recommendations on access to finance and installation aid, and will engage with agricultural stakeholders and the relevant public bodies.
In relation to access to finance, I meet and liaise with the main banks regularly on access to finance issues relating to the sector and there is also good cross-Departmental cooperation with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Department of Finance. Several initiatives have been delivered through the publicly owned Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to address identified market gaps, including the €500m Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS). Launched in September 2023, it provides long-term low-cost investment support to SMEs, including those in the agri sector, for growth, resilience and environmental sustainability. The availability of unsecured loans up to €500,000 via the GSLS makes it a viable source of funding for agri-SME’s, especially those with low or no available security. It also serves young farmers and smaller-scale farmers, who often do not have the leverage to negotiate more favourable terms with their bank
748. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the adverse weather conditions experienced in September 2025, if he will consider extending the slurry spreading deadline by two weeks in order to assist farmers in managing slurry and ensuring compliance with regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51594/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations 2022 (SI 113 of 2022, as amended).
Under these Regulations the closed period for applying slurry to land now commences on the 1st of October annually.
In 2022 the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, following consultation with my Department, published the scientific criteria that must be considered before granting any extension to the slurry spreading season. Due to the increased risk of loss of nutrients to water at this time of year these criteria are designed to only apply in justified exceptional circumstances.
The weather in 2025 has been good, with the warmest and sunniest spring on record with rainfall below average everywhere providing good slurry spreading conditions. The summer months have also provided good opportunities for slurry spreading with indications it may be the warmest summer on record with rainfall levels nationally close to, or slightly below, average.
There is now a significantly increased focus on water quality across the entire agri-food sector.
Part of these efforts relate to improved timing of nutrient application to align with the crop's needs and maximising the value of the nutrients present in organic manures. As articulated by Teagasc, slurry should be spread when the potential for Nitrogen losses is low and the uptake of nutrients by a growing crop is high. These conditions typically occur in the Spring, and not the Autumn, where reducing sunshine hours increasingly limit growth and increase the risk of nutrient loss.
Farmers have been making great strides in implementing actions at farm level to improve water quality and the Government is providing strong incentives to support this work which is underpinned by science. It is important that this national effort to improve water quality continues.
The relevant scientific criteria do not support an extension to the slurry spreading deadline this year. The closed period for slurry application will begin on the 1st of October as provided for in the Regulations.
749. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all contracting authorities under the aegis of his Department are in full compliance with Circular 05/2023, in particular the mandatory requirement to publish contract award notices for all contracts above €25,000; and if he will provide details of the monitoring or enforcement arrangements in place to ensure this requirement is met. [51658/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department are currently updating the Contract Award Notices for all contracts valued over €25,000 ex-VAT to ensure full compliance with Circular 05/2023. This will be completed shortly.
Separately, my Department publishes the details of all contracts awarded that are valued over €25,000 ex-VAT on a quarterly basis on my Department’s website. These details are available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/collections/contracts-awarded/
As regards the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue as soon as possible.
750. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in place within his Department, and across contracting authorities under its aegis, to ensure that mini-competitions conducted under public procurement frameworks are run strictly in accordance with the published award criteria and the provisions of S.I. No. 284/2016; if he will report on the oversight mechanisms in place to guarantee fairness, competition and transparency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51659/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is my Department's policy in relation to any competitive process undertaken in accordance with Regulation 55 of S.I. No. 284/2016 and without the assistance of any external agencies (e.g. The Office of Government Procurement or the Education Procurement Service) that unsuccessful tenderers are provided with:
• The name of the successful tenderer;
• A scoring breakdown including their own scores and that of the successful tenderer;
• A justification of their own scores for qualitative award criteria outlining the associated strengths and weaknesses of their submission;
• The relative characteristics and advantages of the successful tenderers scores only relating to qualitative award criteria where the successful tenderer has been scored higher;
• The expiry date of standstill (where applicable).
My Departments Central Procurement Unit review such feedback prior to issue to ensure the principles of fairness, proportionality, mutual recognition and transparency are upheld. In cases where external agencies oversee the procurement process, that agency fulfils the role outlined above.
As regards the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue as soon as possible.
751. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if contracting authorities under the aegis operating frameworks are required under Regulation 55 of S.I. No. 284/2016 to provide unsuccessful tenderers with written debriefs, including scoring breakdowns, the name of the winning tenderer, and the relative advantages of the successful tender; and the way in which compliance with these obligations is being monitored. [51660/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is my Department's policy in relation to any competitive process undertaken in accordance with Regulation 55 of S.I. No. 284/2016 and without the assistance of any external agencies (e.g. The Office of Government Procurement or the Education Procurement Service) that unsuccessful tenderers are provided with:
• The name of the successful tenderer;
• A scoring breakdown including their own scores and that of the successful tenderer;
• A justification of their own scores for qualitative award criteria outlining the associated strengths and weaknesses of their submission;
• The relative characteristics and advantages of the successful tenderers scores only relating to qualitative award criteria where the successful tenderer has been scored higher;
• The expiry date of standstill (where applicable).
My Departments Central Procurement Unit review such feedback prior to issue to ensure the principles of fairness, proportionality, mutual recognition and transparency are upheld. In cases where external agencies oversee the procurement process, that agency fulfils the role outlined above.
As regards the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue as soon as possible.
752. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to expedite an aquaculture licence application in respect of persons (details supplied) to ensure that jobs are secured with this shovel ready project; his views that the ongoing delays in the processing of licences is not acceptable, prevents local companies from expanding, costs jobs and is detrimental to the local economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51752/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department considers applications for aquaculture and foreshore licences in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 as amended, the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended) and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation. Decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all consultations and public interest elements of each application, including environmental considerations.
All aquaculture licence applications, including the application referred to by the Deputy, must be both technically assessed and screened for an Appropriate Assessment (AA). My Department’s Marine Engineers have reported on technical matters and the Marine Institute, as the scientific advisors to the Department, have been requested to undertake the necessary assessment. When the AA screening process has been completed, my Department will be in further contact with the applicant.
The National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development (NSPSA) was published by my Department in late 2023. The NSPSA’s vision for aquaculture to 2030 foresees a sector that maintains its competitive edge through low impact-production, while building commercial resilience through technical innovation and diversification.
Among the 58 actions in the Plan are six involving improvements to the Aquaculture Licensing process, including the rollout of a user-friendly online aquaculture licensing and information system. The Implementation Steering Group for this plan, established in March 2025, has met four times to date and is working to deliver on the actions outlined.
753. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress toward achieving the target of 400,000 ha, in tillage as set out by the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51798/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government recognises the importance of the tillage sector and wants to grow the area under tillage crops in the years ahead. However, the use of land for tillage or any other agricultural enterprise is untimely a matter for farmers themselves. Despite the various challenges that the sector has faced in recent years, the area of crops has remained relatively stable. Since 2020, the tillage area has increased by over 21,000 hectares or by approximately 7%.
The Food Vision Tillage Group report identifies opportunities to grow the sector and to further improve its environmental footprint. My Department continues to engage with stakeholders to progress the actions in the report, and as it is an industry report, it will require collaboration and sustained effort from all stakeholders.
In recognition of the sector’s importance, my Department has provided significant direct supports to tillage farmers in recent years. The budget for Protein Aid has increased to €10m annually from 2024. Applications for approximately 66,000 hectares of cereals and oilseed rape straw were submitted for chopping and incorporating in 2025 under the Straw Incorporation Measure. I have committed to paying all farmers who applied under the Scheme.
In February this year, I announced €32.4 million of payments under the Tillage and Horticulture Support Scheme, which was Government’s response to the difficult position tillage and horticultural farmers found themselves in due to exceptionally poor weather and continued high input costs last Spring.
The Farming for Water EIP has a budget of €60m to support targeted on-farm additional measures to improve water quality, including establishment of cover crops. This year, almost 1,400 tillage farmers have expressed an interest in establishing cover crops under the EIP. The tillage sector is also being supported under other schemes, including the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme, ACRES and the Organic Farming Scheme.
I recognise the pressures facing the sector, not least the challenging market outlook and downward price pressure this season and I have recently engaged directly with farming organisations to hear their concerns. This Government remains fully committed to the tillage sector, and in advance of the forthcoming budget, I will continue to work closely with my colleagues across Government to ensure that essential, targeted supports are provided where possible.
