Aindrias Moynihan appointed to chair Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food
The Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West was recently appointed to lead the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Deputy Moynihan said that Ireland's agri-food sector is facing one of the most critical periods in its history.
Mr Moynihan stated that his focus will be firmly on protecting farmers and ensuring the sector is supported through change. 'This is a vital time for the Irish agriculture and food sectors. These industries are the backbone of our economy and our rural communities. We are entering a period of significant challenge and unpredictability, both economically and geo-politically. It is essential that our farmers and food producers are protected and supported at every level.'
An immediate priority for Deputy Moynihan in his new role will be protecting Irish agri-exports from the potential impact of international developments, including any tariffs imposed by the United States. 'We must ensure that affected businesses have every opportunity to find new and alternative markets. While these global shifts present challenges, they also create opportunities. I believe we must act decisively to expand the presence of Irish produce in emerging international markets and to support our food sector in growing its global footprint.'
Deputy Moynihan also emphasised the need to support farmers through the green transition. 'We must bring people with us during this time of change. That means working with farmers, not against them, to invest in sustainable technologies and new farming practices that improve environmental outcomes without undermining livelihoods.'
The Cork TD continued: 'I am fully committed to making the case at EU level for the retention of Ireland's Nitrates Derogation, recognising our unique grass-based production model. At the same time, we will work constructively with farmers, industry, state agencies and local authorities to develop evidence-based solutions that help improve water quality.'
Deputy Moynihan said he will also push for a full review and update of the National TB 2030 Eradication Strategy. 'We cannot afford to lose focus on the continued threat of bovine tuberculosis (TB). I will push for a full review and update of the National TB 2030 Eradication Strategy, in close collaboration with farmers and the wider agricultural sector.
'We must also ensure that the Wildlife Control Programme is properly staffed and that our regional veterinary offices are adequately resourced to carry out this vital work on the ground,' he added.
'Farmers are the foundation of rural Ireland,' said Deputy Moynihan. 'Ireland's agriculture and food sectors are experiencing unprecedented change in how they operate and do business. I am determined to ensure that they receive the support they need and deserve. Farmers are the foundation of rural Ireland. I will work tirelessly to ensure their voices are heard and their concerns acted upon.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
Dozens of politicians' print requests refused, including 2,000-page document for Simon Harris
TDS AND SENATORS have had dozens of print jobs refused by the Oireachtas over the last few years. Politicians at Leinster House are entitled to have tens of thousands of items printed for free every year to help promote their work. However, a strict policy is in place that covers only 'parliamentary duties' and not material related to elections, political parties, or fellow candidates. Between 2022 and 2024, a total of 125 print jobs were rejected by the Oireachtas for a variety of different reasons. Records released under FOI show that Fianna Fáil were behind more than half the refused batches – 67 in total. Fine Gael had 22 print jobs refused, Labour 11 and Sinn Féin 8; there were also lower numbers recorded for other smaller groupings or Independents. High-profile political figures were among those who had printing rejected with three jobs refused for Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers. Little detail was provided on the reasons why, with Oireachtas records simply saying they were not in line with the 'service level agreement.' Both Tánaiste Simon Harris and Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan had a single print job refused. Harris' 2,000-page-print job was rejected as outside the bounds of the 'service level agreement' while Mr O'Callaghan's newsletter was declined due to 'overtelectioneering.' Advertisement Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also had a 5,000-batch constituency update refused during 2023 – it was simply marked 'rejected' in the Oireachtas files with no further information provided. There were other reasons for refusal too with one newsletter denied because it breached rules about the promotion of a business. A note said this was based on: 'Material which is or could be construed as being related to or promoting a private commercial endeavour, for example a newsletter which promotes, whether directly or indirectly, a company, business or product.' Another was refused because it was considered to be promotion of a political party. It said that was covered by rules covering a ban on 'political party/independent members' corporate material e.g. headquarter type printing, such as application forms for party membership; material which is either directly or indirectly aimed at party fundraising; information notes to party members.' Other jobs were rejected for more banal reasons including faulty file types, defective documents, and one case where a senator exceeded their monthly printing allowance. One job for a batch of 1,500 printed leaflets was refused because it contained information on an upcoming referendum. A note on the file said: 'It is the responsibility of the members and qualifying political parties to ensure that items printed in the printing facility that could be said to be designed to influence voters on how to vote in a Referendum are not distributed after the passage of a [bill].' Fianna Fáil's John Lahart, who had four separate jobs refused, said: 'I don't remember the specific ones offhand, but it often relates to materials about councillors. 'We have had generic material sent back and generally where that might be about the Fianna Fáil team in our area and they would have come back and said that wasn't allowed.' Under Leinster House's printing policy, jobs can also be declined where they have information that could be considered a crime or encouraging others to commit a crime. However, there were no refusals under that section according to the documents that were released. Asked about the records, the Oireachtas said it had no further comment to make. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Gerry Adams to donate €100,000 from BBC defamation trial to Irish language and Palestinian charities
Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Féin official Denis Donaldson, for which he denies any involvement. Last Friday, a jury at the High Court in Dublin found in his favour and awarded him €100,000 after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. The BBC will also have to pay Mr Adams's legal costs. During an eight-minute video posted on the official Sinn Féin YouTube channel, Mr Adams accused the BBC of showing 'arrogance' when it did not resolve the dispute after he issued legal letters nine years ago. In Putting Manners On The BBC – The Gerry Adams Blog, Mr Adams said that the BBC has been held accountable for the content it broadcasts. Mr Adams said: 'As for the money that the jury awarded me in damages, I will donate this to good causes. 'These will include the children of Gaza, groups in Ireland involved in helping the homeless, Cumann Carad, the Irish language sector and other projects like this in west Belfast. 'When the case began six weeks ago, the BBC's legal strategy was evident very quickly. Their narrative was that pursued by successive British and Irish governments for years. 'They blamed everything during the conflict on Irish Republicans and by extension, during this trial, on me. 'The BBC lawyers embarked on a Jesuitical presentation of the case that tried to convince the jurors that the words broadcast and published by the British Broadcasting Corporation, that I had sanctioned the murder of Denis Donaldson, did not, in fact, mean that I sanctioned the murder of Denis Donaldson. ADVERTISEMENT 'They were, they said, that's the British Broadcasting Corporation, not defending the truth of the accusation. 'Instead they were defending, they claimed, their journalism, which they said was fair and reasonable, in the public interest and made in good faith. 'They concluded their case by trying to exert moral pressure on the jurors by claiming that a defeat for the British Broadcasting Corporation would be a blow to freedom of speech and a setback to victims. 'In the end the jury didn't buy in to any of this. 'On all the key issues the jurors unanimously accepted that the script used by the Spotlight programme did mean that I had sanctioned and approved the murder of Denis Donaldson.' He said that after the BBC's decision to air the Spotlight programme, he decided to sue the broadcaster. Mr Adams said the BBC could have resolved the dispute there and then. 'They chose not to. Why? That's a question to be asked. Why did they not resolve this issue when they could have? 'Was it arrogance? Yes, that's part of it. But I also suspect political interference. 'In January, the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded to a decision in the High Court in Belfast, which included that I and, by implication, up to 400 other former internees, were wrongfully detained and that we were entitled to compensation. 'Mr Starmer told the British Parliament that he would look at every conceivable way to block compensation being paid.' Mr Adams also urged the Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan to met Denis Donaldson's family. He signed off by saying 'slan agus tog go bog e', which means goodbye and take it easy. Earlier this week, the BBC was granted time to consider appealing against the jury's decision. The broadcaster was granted a stay on paying the full costs and damages to allow it time to consider whether to lodge an appeal. The stay was subject to paying half the damages €50,000 and €250,000 towards solicitors' fees.
Business Post
an hour ago
- Business Post
US trade deficit plummets in April
US President Donald Trump has said he is 'very disappointed' following Elon Musk... Corporation tax receipts dropped 30 per cent in May amid major uncertainty arising... Solidroad, an Irish start-up founded by former Intercom employees, has raised $6.5... TikTok has been granted a temporary pause on a decision by the Irish Data Protection... DUBLIN The Iseq All Share closed in the green Thursday evening, up nearly 2 per cent... US stocks edged higher on Thursday after the call between US President Donald Trump... Money20/20 – which bills itself as the world's 'leading, premium content, sales...
