Latest news with #AindriasMoynihan
Agriland
3 days ago
- Politics
- Agriland
Heydon to meet joint agri committee for first time as DAFM minister
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon will appear in a public meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine today (Wednesday, May 28). This will be the first session of the committee that the minister will appear at in his role as the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Minister Heydon's previous appearances at the committee, in its previous iteration before the general election last year, were in his then role as minister for state with responsibility for new market development, farm safety, and research and development. This will be the first meeting of the current committee, post-general election, where it will carry out its role of scrutinising the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the ministers responsible for it. Previous meetings of the current committee dealt with its internal business, such as choosing a chairperson. A range of topics are set to come up at this evening's meeting, including the eradication of TB; the controversial GAEC (Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition) 2; broader issues on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP); and the nitrates derogation. The meeting will take place in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House, and is scheduled to begin at 4:00p.m. The meeting can be viewed on the Oireachtas TV website. Speaking ahead of committee meeting, its chairperson, Fianna Fáil Cork North-West TD Aindrias Moynihan, said: 'Our committee looks forward to our first meeting tomorrow and very much welcomes this early opportunity to engage with Minister Heydon. 'We hope it will be the first in a series of meetings with the minister and we thank him for making time in his schedule to attend,' Moynihan added. The details of the membership of the committee were confirmed earlier this month. The committee has 14 members – nine TDs and five senators. The membership of each committee usually reflects the proportion of the seats held by each of the political parties in the houses of the Oireachtas. Oireachtas committees have the power to invite submissions; hold hearings with stakeholders and ministers; and draft and publish reports. The membership of the committee is as follows: TDs: Aindrias Moynihan (chairperson) – Cork North-West, Fianna Fáil; William Aird (deputy chairperson) – Laois, Fine Gael; Peter 'Chap' Cleere – Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fáil; Joe Cooney – Clare, Fine Gael; Michael Fitzmaurice – Roscommon-Galway, Independent Ireland; Danny Healy-Rae – Kerry, independent; Martin Kenny – Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Féin; Paul Lawless – Mayo, Aontú; Natasha Newsome Drennan – Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Féin. Senators (all elected from Agricultural Panel): Victor Boyhan – independent; Paraic Brady – Fine Gael; Joanne Collins – Sinn Féin; Paul Daly – Fianna Fáil; Eileen Lynch – Fine Gael.
Irish Independent
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Alzheimer's ‘tea day' fundraiser in Cork town nearly runs out of cups amid the massive turnout
The Irish Alzheimer's Society relies heavily on fundraisers and donations made by the public to continue to provide services for people living with dementia, as well as their families. The Tea Day was hosted by Aindrias Moynihan TD and Councillor Gobnait Moynihan, and there was a 'huge turnout' on the day, which led to visitors picking up the slack and sorting themselves out with their own mug of tea. 'We had a huge turnout,' Ms Moynihan laughed, 'they all came in at the same time and it got so busy that people had to get their own cup of tea from the kitchen because we couldn't keep up with the amount of people who came in,' she said. 'We were washing cups as quick as we could to fill them with tea,' she added. The Tea Day brought out the best in the community as both businesses and locals baked cakes and treats on behalf of the Irish Alzheimer's Society. 'There was great support locally for the cakes and stuff, as people were making and baking them, and businesses donated cakes as well. 'We are very grateful for that. 'These events are great for raising awareness of this awful, awful illness, and it highlights that there is support out there,' Ms Moynihan added. Visitors who were under time constraints had the chance to grab a takeaway cup of tea or coffee and be on their way. 'We try to spread it out in the morning so there is enough time to come at whatever stage and we do have takeaway coffees as well just in case people don't have the time to sit down, but they can take the coffee away with them,' according to Ms Moynihan. Tea Day Ambassador and Fair City star Úna Crawford O'Brien stated that: ADVERTISEMENT 'Tea is such a small thing, but it creates a moment of pause and comfort in our day. 'For Bryan [her husband, the actor Bryan Murray] and I, tea really is the best time of the day, it's a chance to slow down and connect.' As of Wednesday, May 7, over €2,500 has been raised by the people of Macroom for the Irish Alzheimer's Society through this year's Tea Day. Mr Moynihan added it is 'brilliant to see the continuing and growing support year on year for individuals and families living with dementia.'
Agriland
02-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
New Oireachtas Ag committee chair pledges to protect farmers
The new chair of the influential Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food has said his focus will be 'firmly on protecting farmers'. The Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North-West, Aindrias Moynihan, believes Ireland's agri-food sector 'is facing one of the most critical periods in its history' and he wants to ensure that 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, and it is essential that our farmers and food producers are protected and supported at every level. 'Farmers are the foundation of rural Ireland, and I will work tirelessly to ensure their voices are heard and their concerns acted upon,' Deputy Moynihan said. Oireachtas committee According to the Cork North-West TD, one of his immediate priorities as he assumes the role of chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food will be to 'protect 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 added, Aside from the external threats that the agri-food sector faces, he also believes it is important to support farmers through the 'green transition' closer to home. '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 deputy outlined. Nitrates derogation The Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North-West has also stressed that he is 'fully committed' along with party colleagues to making the case at EU level for the retention of Ireland's nitrates derogation. He said the party will work 'constructively with farmers, industry, state agencies and local authorities to develop evidence-based solutions that help improve water quality.' The previous Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine devoted a considerable amount of its time to highlighting and debating the ongoing issue of bovine tuberculosis (TB) According to Deputy Moynihan, the new committee will also want to hear what is happening on this front. 'We cannot afford to lose focus on the continued threat of bovine TB. 'As chair, 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 said.
