The front page of today’s Irish Farmers Journal exposes the nonsense of trying to calculate biogenic methane at national rather than international level. As Climate Minister, I pointed out to my EU and Government colleagues, that if we end up reducing dairy and beef production in Ireland, it will be replaced by agricultural production in South America. Beef production in …
Dangerous precedent threatens survival of communities and environment – Naughten
Any decision by The Friends of the Irish environment to seek an injunction halting works at Lough Funshinagh in County Roscommon would create a very dangerous precedent by challenging climate mitigation measures, Denis Naughten TD has stated. “A decision to seek a high court injunction would leave the community in a position where they could be forced to relocate …
Supports for remote working among 45 recommendations in Oireachtas Committee’s pre-budget submission to Department of Rural and Community Development – Naughten
The Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands has published its pre-Budget 2022 submission to the Minister for Rural and Community Development. Supports for remote working, changes to the funding framework of the voluntary and charitable sector, additional supports for communities and community organisations, improved transport links to the islands, including a new air service …
Failure to back date fair deal could be open to court challenge – Naughten
Denis Naughten TD has raised the prospect of court challenge to the reform of the Fair Deal Nursing Home Support Scheme due to the failure to recognise farm transfers in advance of an older person entering long term care. “Under the new law older people who transferred the family farm and entitlements to a successor prior to entering a …
Has the Department of Agriculture thrown in the towel on climate?
We are exporting €8bn in beef and dairy products every year but we are investing only €2m or 0.025% in addressing agricultural methane, which leads to the question: has the Department of Agriculture thrown in the towel already? While many of us on the constructive side of the climate debate have tried to argue for a practical approach to …
Key questions remain unanswered as Climate Bill rushed through the Dáil
We get answers to legitimate questions asked here in Dáil Eireann on the impact of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill before we consider Report Stage in the Dáil tomorrow. On the financial impacts alone, we are still without basic answers. On 19th May I asked the Taoiseach to ensure that we have sight of the …
Government rejects Climate Council recommendation on farm methane – Naughten
Denis Naughten TD has said that he is disappointed that the Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has rejected an amendment based on the Climate Change Advisory Council recommendation for a separate climate target for farm generated (biogenic) methane which would ensure that the agricultural sector does not face a disproportionate share of the climate reduction targets over the coming years. …
Regional Independents to seek Dail approval for carbon budgets and separate targets for agriculture – Naughten
The Regional Independent TDs will table changes to the Climate Bill that will require Dáil approval of all carbon budgets as well as a separate emission target for agriculture to ensure it does not become the scapegoat for failures in other Government Departments. “We do not want to undermine the overall objective behind the Climate Bill, but we believe the …
Rural strategy right but will Dublin decisionmakers deliver it? asks Naughten
Plan can bring life into village streets Denis Naughten TD, Chair of the Dáil’s Rural Affairs Committee, has welcomed the Government’s Rural Future plan which he says, if delivered, will give families a real option of living in their own home in a rural community instead of renting in Dublin City. However, Denis Naughten has warned that the key …
BEAM extension welcome but farmers must have options – Naughten
Denis Naughten TD has welcomed confirmation that farmers can opt for alternative reference dates for BEAM. However, he pointed out that farmers should be deemed to comply if they achieve the 5% reduction in any 12-month period between July 2020 and January 2022 rather than being tied to specific dates defined by the Department of Agriculture. “The Department has now …