Parliamentary questions

598. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the person or body representing the forestry sector on the CAP Consultative Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52932/26]

599. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of cattle and sheep farmers in Ireland participating in ACRES; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52933/26]

600. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the legal basis for the continued requirement for original hard-copy phytosanitary certificates for imported plant products entering Ireland; whether electronic phytosanitary certificates are accepted in other EU member states; and if his Department will examine the wider adoption of electronic certification systems t…

601. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average processing time for inspections and clearance of fresh cut flower imports at Dublin Airport Border Control Post in each of the past five years; the number of consignments delayed beyond 24 hours during that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52981/26]

602. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of fresh cut flower consignments rejected, destroyed or refused entry at Dublin Airport due to documentation errors in each of the past five years; the most common reasons for rejection; his views on the measures being taken to reduce avoidable losses to importers; and if he will make a statement on the mat…

603. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if guidance exists for inspectors dealing with consignments of perishable goods where a replacement phytosanitary certificate has been issued and is in transit, but the original document has not yet arrived; and if he will provide details of any discretionary arrangements available in such circumstances. [52983/26]

604. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of agricultural inspectors assigned to Dublin Airport Border Control Post on a daily basis; the number of days during the past three years on which staffing levels were reduced due to training events or other operational reasons;and the contingency measures that are put in place to prevent delays to importe…

605. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of complaints received from importers, customs agents and freight handlers regarding delays in plant health inspections and clearance procedures at Dublin Airport in each of the past five years; the principal issues raised; and if he will provide details of the actions taken in response. [52985/26]

606. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether Ireland participates in the International Plant Protection Convention's ePhyto system; the extent to which electronic phytosanitary certificates are currently utilised by his Department; and the plans that exist to expand their use to facilitate trade and reduce administrative burdens. [52986/26]

607. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under a scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53008/26]

608. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the policy his Department has for the equestrian sector given the importance of the sector to the economy as well as its sport and leisure benefits; his or his Department's engagement with equestrian centre representatives to enhance the sector,; if he recognises that equestrian centres are the grass roots of the sport a…

609. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department operates a dedicated point of contact for importers experiencing difficulties in obtaining sanitary or phytosanitary clearance for goods entering the State; and the supports available to traders where issues arise involving multiple State agencies. [53045/26]

610. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in place within his Department to facilitate the timely movement of legitimate imports through ports and airports; whether consideration has been given to establishing a dedicated trade facilitation service for importers encountering administrative difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the mat…

611. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the arrangements in place between his Department, the Revenue Commissioners and airport authorities to resolve issues affecting consignments awaiting sanitary and phytosanitary clearance; and if he is satisfied that current procedures minimise unnecessary delays for compliant traders. [53047/26]

612. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if procedures exist to address minor administrative or clerical errors in phytosanitary documentation where there is no identified biosecurity risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53048/26]

613. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of complaints received from importers relating to delays in sanitary and phytosanitary clearance at airports and ports in each of the past three years; and the principal issues raised in those complaints. [53049/26]

614. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average time taken to process sanitary and phytosanitary checks on imported plant products arriving through Dublin Airport during each of the past three years; and if service-level targets are in place. [53050/26]

615. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on measures to protect the native Irish honeybee. [53182/26]

616. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the results of the independent experts' analysis of the research provided to his Department in December 2024 in relation to the native Irish honeybee assessment, as recommended by the Attorney General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53263/26]

617. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the progress on PeatFor; if this research project has any initial findings to detail; if there will be any interim report available; the estimated completion date for the research, given the significant cost of €2.8 million in funding; and if he will make a statement on the matte…

618. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role the Food Safety Authority of Ireland plays in advising his Department before compliance notices, prohibition notices, product seizures or flock destruction are undertaken in cases involving suspected salmonella infection; whether his Department ensures the FSAI independently verifies the scientific evi…

619. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a guarantee that no potential reduction in tillage environmental payment will occur (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53403/26]

620. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details of all grant schemes currently available through his Department for which individuals or community groups are eligible to apply; the purpose of each grant scheme; the eligibility criteria; the application process; the opening and closing dates for application; and if he will make a statement on the mat…

621. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the marketing grant of €16,000 awarded to an organisation (details supplied), the specific marketing activities that are eligible for funding under this grant. [53517/26]

622. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the marketing grant of €16,000 awarded to an organisation (details supplied), the proportion of the grant that is allocated towards the engagement of a digital marketing consultant or contractor. [53518/26]