Parliamentary questions

132. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of hectares newly afforested in each year 2020 to 2024; the afforestation targets for each year 2025 to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13713/25]

133. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 62 of 26 September 2024, the status of the report further to the public consultation on a review of trawling activity inside the six-nautical-mile zone which closed on 12 April 2024; when a decision will be made regarding the introduction of measures to protect the fishes co…

134. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts being made by his Department to mitigate against the potential threat of tariffs and their impact on Irish farmers and agri-food producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13811/25]

135. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department is taking to ensure the good mental health and well-being of farmers. [13808/25]

136. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when actions for the national sheep welfare scheme will be published; when the scheme will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13628/25]

137. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the progress of his Department’s investigation into the animal welfare issues raised in a recent investigation into Irish pig farms by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13711/25]

138. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will provide targeted financial assistance to horticulturists who do not meet the €7,500 minimum investment requirement under the 2025 scheme of investment aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13625/25]

139. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department is taking to tackle the neglect and abuse of horses in Cork North Central, particularly with summer approaching; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13683/25]

140. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the checks in place to ensure pig farms in the State maintain the highest animal welfare standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13736/25]

141. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of farmers in Cavan and Monaghan impacted by delays to ACRES payments to date; the number who still have not been paid; the reason for such delays; when payments are expected to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13739/25]

142. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of windblow-related felling licences received since Storm Éowyn; the current processing times for these types of licences and the priority given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13740/25]

143. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address the ongoing funding deficiencies in State marine infrastructure, particularly in counties like Donegal, which has 155 piers and harbours to maintain (details supplied); to outline plans to increase investment in marine infrastructure to support both local economies and tourism development; and …

144. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that there is an understanding of the importance of the Nitrates derogation among EU counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13814/25]

145. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given the significant disparity between the forward malting barley price offered by a company (details supplied) of €240/t and the €300/t sought by growers, and considering the fears raised by an organisation (details supplied) regarding transparency in the pricing mechanism, if he will direct the Office of the A…

146. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the organic payment scheme received by his Department from Galway city and county to date; the number approved; the number refused and the reasons therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13803/25]

147. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when all outstanding ACRES payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13812/25]

148. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action his Department is taking regarding succession in farming, in view that this is a critical issue which must be urgently addressed by the delivery of a comprehensive succession policy with the outcome of a succession scheme that specifically addresses the barriers to entry for young farmers into the agricultura…

149. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to address the long waiting time farmers face to obtain felling licences, which are taking months and even years to process despite many farmers and foresters having these trees on the ground, losing the ability to salvage timber; and if the farmers and foresters will be compensated for the lost trees. [7893/25]

150. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of funding allocated to the wool council since its establishment on 5 April 2023; if all of the €30,000 allocated in seed funding to the Council has now been drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13800/25]

151. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will provide targeted financial assistance to horticulturists for the replacement of plastic polytunnel covers and other structures not covered under the 2025 scheme of investment aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13626…

152. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way his Department is supporting and will support the development of a commercial flour sector in Ireland, including through the tillage strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13680/25]

153. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if eligibility for back-up power generators applies to all farmers; if not, if he will extend eligibility to all schemes; how farmers can apply; the deadline for application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13750/25]

154. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken to address concerns around declining numbers of young people entering farming, particularly in light of financial uncertainty and environmental pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13823/25]

155. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will provide direct financial assistance to the horticulture sector to compensate for crop damage and income loss post Storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13624/25]

156. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has consulted with the ESB in relation to setbacks and corridors for powerlines going through forestry plantations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13630/25]