Questions

583. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in light of the ongoing crisis in the fishing sector and its devastating impact on coastal and inland fishing communities, if he will update the Dáil on the progress of the new Fishing Task Force; if he will confirm whether the Task Force has met as scheduled; and if he will outline the current status of its work and the timeline for …

214. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the diesel rebate scheme operates for agricultural contractors and farmers; the current and projected rebate rates per litre; the basis on which the rebate is calculated, including whether it is linked to the price paid per litre by operators; the timeline for submitting and receiving payments; whether further clarity…

884. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has carried out an updated assessment of Ireland's food security in light of ongoing international conflicts, including instability in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the associated disruption to global food, fertiliser and energy markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30237/26]

885. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the extent to which Ireland relies on imported vegetables (details supplied); whether this level of dependence is considered sustainable from a food security and affordability perspective.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30238/26]

886. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the significant decline in domestic potato production from over 20,000 hectares in the 1990s to fewer than 9,000 hectares in recent years represents a strategic vulnerability for the State, given that Ireland is now a net importer of a staple crop historically produced at scale domestically; and if he will make a …

887. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the targeted grant or emergency support schemes currently available or under consideration to assist Irish vegetable and potato growers with rising input costs, including fertiliser, fuel and energy, particularly in the context of food price inflation which peaked at over 16% in 2022, according to the CSO; and if he will make a statem…

888. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given that the spring growing season is already underway, if he will introduce immediate measures to incentivise expanded domestic planting of staple crops in 2026; his views on whether increased investment in Irish food production should be treated as a strategic national priority to improve resilience, reduce import dependence and s…

15. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the urgent actions he is taking, at EU and Council level, to reverse or challenge the severe loss of approximately 57,000 tonnes of Irish fishing quota for 2026, representing an estimated €94 million blow to the Irish fishing sector; whether he plans to initiate or support legal action at the European Court of Justice to defend Ireland…

24. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the Government has failed to act decisively to remove the chair of Bord Bia (details supplied) in order to restore confidence in Bord Bia, and to demonstrate that the Government is standing with Irish farmers rather than enabling practices that undermine them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6854/26]

71. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address concerns raised by fishing communities regarding the increasing presence of large foreign vessels operating off the Irish coast, while Irish boats remain tied up due to limited quotas; whether he will commit to immediate measures to restore Ireland’s capacity to fish its own waters in view of claims that Irish fisher…

75. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the intensified campaign led by Independent Ireland representatives (details supplied), the reason the Government-aligned MEPs continue to support the Mercosur process at EU level rather than stand with Irish farmers and consumers, and the Irish people who overwhelmingly oppose this agreement; and if he will make a statement…

79. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to address the acknowledged overfishing of mackerel by non-EU coastal States, which has directly contributed to sharp quota reductions for Irish fishers in 2026; and whether he will provide details of Ireland’s engagement with the European Commission and coastal states to safeguard this stock and prevent a repeat…

797. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to list all bilateral and multilateral meetings held since January 2025 with Ministers or senior officials from other EU member states at which the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement was discussed; and to provide the date, location, format, and countries represented at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3780/26]

798. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether minutes, notes, or formal read-outs were prepared for each meeting at which the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement was discussed with other EU member states; and if so, whether these records will be published or otherwise made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3781/26]

799. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if briefing notes, submissions, or speaking points were prepared for Ministers or officials in advance of meetings with EU counterparts concerning opposition to the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement; the number and dates of such briefings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3782/26]

800. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of occasions on which Ireland formally raised opposition to the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement at meetings of the AGRIFISH Council since January 2025; the steps that were taken at those meetings to build or consolidate opposition among EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3785/26]

112. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reconsider the nitrates stocking rate map and make an adjustment to the Timoleague catchment stocking rate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25786/25]

713. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date on which all ACRES payments will be issued to those farmers struggling to pay bills at this time (details supplied). [25787/25]

714. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being put in place to lower the levels of animal TB, given the high rates nationwide. [25788/25]

367. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason SCEP payments are on hold; when payments will recommence; and the length of time before all 2024 payments are complete. [22360/25]