Parliamentary questions

252. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will guarantee that the Irish whiskey technical file will be amended to ensure that only Irish grain is used in the production of Irish whiskey, in line with the stance of US and English whiskey producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66330/25]

253. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeline for the payment of supports to farmers in the tillage sector; the measures that will be put in place to ensure that these payments are distributed fairly and equitably across all eligible tillage farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66331/25]

254. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current average timeframe from reactor identification to payment to farmers whose cattle have tested positive for bovine TB; the steps being taken to ensure the prompt processing and payment of compensation to affected farmers to support their financial stability; whether his Department intends to introduce furthe…

255. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out his Department's current assessment of national food security, including risks to the agricultural supply chain; to outline any forthcoming initiatives to strengthen resilience across farming sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66333/25]

256. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the measures from Budget 2026 that will support generational renewal in farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66334/25]

257. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider improving competitiveness by introducing a reduced stamp duty rate of 1% for green-certified farmers between the ages of 35 and 40; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66366/25]

258. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the schemes available to assist small farmers in transitioning to sustainable practices, including low-emission slurry spreading and biodiversity projects; if additional funding will be provided to support these initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66466/25]

259. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has assessed the impact of commuter town expansion on the viability of small farms in north Kildare; if he will provide details of plans to protect agricultural land from rezoning pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66467/25]

260. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the Howth Harbour dredging project; the timeline for the commencement of dredging works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66539/25]

261. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a balancing payment will issue to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing this payment to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65586/25]

262. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if accessibility for those with limited mobility was assessed when developing the planning application Passenger Embarkation Area, Rossaveel Fishery Harbour Centre, Rossaveel, County Galway; if he will provide detail on any research or guidelines that were taken into consideration in that regard; and if he will mak…

263. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to uphold animal welfare standards, in line with Programme for Government commitments; the number of inspections of puppy farms in the past three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66733/25]

694. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department intends to undertake a review of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the 2018 regulations associated with the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66167/25]

695. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his response to an investigation by organisations (details supplied) regarding the availability of anti-biotics in Brazil; if they have raised such with their European counterparts with regard to the Mercosur Trade Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66291/25]

696. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the formation of a new panel for technical agricultural officers within his Department while there are persons on an existing panel still available and willing to take up positions if offered; the persons which will be offered a vacant position should it arise within the time it takes to form a new pan…

697. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the 2025 and 2026 capital budget allocations for works under the Fishery Harbour Centre and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. [65270/25]

698. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a farmer (details supplied) will receive the remainder of a compensation payment following a TB outbreak in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65308/25]

699. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a full review of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the 2018 guidelines will be completed; the scope of that review; and the steps being taken to strengthen enforcement and improve welfare standards for breeding dogs. [65386/25]

700. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current resourcing allocated to local authorities for inspections of dog breeding establishments; whether he is satisfied that staffing levels are adequate; and if he will consider increasing funding to ensure consistent compliance and enforcement across all counties. [65387/25]

701. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a central, publicly accessible database recording all individuals or entities breeding or selling puppies; the expected timeline for this measure; and the way in which it will be enforced. [65388/25]

702. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions being taken to improve public awareness of the way to identify licensed breeders; the way in which to report suspected illegal breeding activity; and whether his Department plans a national information campaign. [65389/25]

703. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections carried out on dog breeding establishments in each of the past five years; the number of enforcement actions taken; and his assessment of whether current penalties are sufficient to deter non-compliance. [65390/25]

704. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has engaged with the Department of Housing; Local Government and Heritage, and local authorities to improve consistency in dog control enforcement; and if he will report on planned legislative updates in this area. [65391/25]

705. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details on supports available to rescue organisations caring for dogs seized from illegal breeding operations, including veterinary and behavioural rehabilitation costs. [65392/25]

706. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish an updated national animal welfare strategy, including specific commitments on dog breeding, enforcement, inspection standards and public education. [65393/25]