Questions

793. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he will confirm the number of cattle and pregnant heifers exported aboard a vessel (details supplied); the veterinary checks that were conducted regarding fitness for transport, vessel suitability and weather conditions; the safeguards monitor animal welfare during the voyage and after arrival; and whether he will consider s…

596. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the consideration he has given to the impact of the recent High Court ruling on the application of commercial rates to agricultural buildings used for essential crop storage and handling; whether he recognises the additional financial burden this could place on growers and other farmers already facing significant input and productio…

484. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the maximum journey times Ireland is advocating for each species/animal category in negotiations on revising the EU Animal Transport Regulation; if Ireland supports substantially reducing journey times in line with evidence that animals should be transported for the shortest possible time; if Ireland supports a science-based limit r…

485. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to detail the methodology used in calculating grants and premiums for the current forestry programme. [70310/26]

486. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position Ireland is taking on the Commission’s proposed EFSA-based allometric approach to space allowances in the context of negotiations on revising the EU Animal Transport Regulation; if Ireland supports retaining species and category-specific k-values without reducing allowances for shorter journeys, applying the same science…

488. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the context of negotiations on revising the EU Animal Transport Regulation, increasingly frequent extreme heat events, the position Ireland is taking on proposed temperature requirements; and if Ireland supports species/category-specific temperature ranges based on EFSA evidence (details supplied). [70328/26]

489. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given the importance of afforestation towards climate change mitigation, if his Department will conduct annual reviews when targets are constantly missed in order to address shortcomings, if changes are advised. [70314/26]

490. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to list the number of engagements between his Department and the European Commission in relation to the next forestry programme. [70313/26]

491. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to detail the methodology which will be used to calculate grants and premiums rates for the next forestry program. [70311/26]

475. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has identified any fruit or vegetable supply chains where Ireland is particularly dependent on countries or regions considered highly vulnerable to climate change; the products concerned; and the measures being taken to reduce the risk of future disruption. [67061/26]

476. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in respect of the top 20 countries from which Ireland imports fresh fruit and vegetables, if his Department has assessed the exposure of these supply chains to climate-change risks, including drought, flooding, extreme heat, water scarcity and changing growing conditions. [67059/26]

477. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the top 20 countries by volume and value from which Ireland imported fresh fruit and vegetables in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the quantity and value imported from each country in tabular form. [67058/26]

433. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of commercial horticultural growers operating in the State in each year from 2020 to 2026, inclusive; the net increase or decrease in grower numbers since the publication of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023–2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54400/26]

434. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has assessed the impact of severe weather events, including prolonged rainfall, storms and wind damage, on the horticulture sector since 2023; the estimated financial losses incurred; and the additional supports being considered to improve climate resilience for growers. [54401/26]

436. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of EU Presidency policy and administrative officers now employed on temporary contracts across his Department, in Ireland and abroad; if these individuals can apply to internal civil service competitions for these temporary contracts; the plans being developed to retain these individuals once their contracts cease, given …

438. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measurable targets contained within the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023–2027 that have been achieved to date; which targets remain behind schedule, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54763/26]

2. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to support the growth of Ireland’s horticulture sector in budget 2027 (details supplied). [52390/26]

236. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the applications submitted in December 2024 by Fingal County Council in respect of Skerries Harbour, County Dublin, including the application for a foreshore licence to carry out borehole investigations into the seabed and the application for a foreshore lease to allow for the construction of a new outer pier…

1479. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures currently in place to protect the native Irish honeybee population and preserve its genetic integrity whether his Department has conducted any assessment of the impact of hybridisation and non-native bee imports on the Native Irish Honey Bee population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42108/26]

1480. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports, funding schemes or conservation programmes currently available to beekeepers and organisations working to protect the native Irish honeybee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42109/26]

1481. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether consideration is being given to the introduction of additional protections or policy measures aimed at conserving the native Irish honeybee and supporting sustainable beekeeping practices; the engagement his Department has had with beekeeping groups, researchers and stakeholders regarding concerns about the loss of native b…

1482. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department intends to develop a national strategy for the protection and conservation of the native Irish honeybee; the steps being taken to raise awareness of the ecological and agricultural importance of the native Irish honeybee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42111/26]

897. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the mechanisms in place to monitor and track the welfare and current location of greyhounds that become the subject of animal welfare concerns or investigations and have been taken into care; if greyhound racing Ireland maintains records relating to the ongoing welfare and whereabouts of such dogs; and if he will …

83. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider introducing a targeted support package to assist farmers with escalating gas and energy costs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35916/26]

387. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he will take to support horticultural growers operating heated glasshouses in light of escalating costs, particularly energy and fertiliser; whether he is aware that some growers are facing projected increases in annual gas bills if current prices persist; whether he considers the current situation to be financially sus…