Latest news with #Boyhan
Agriland
3 days ago
- Politics
- Agriland
Heydon: ‘We want to incorporate' women farmers in EU presidency
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has said he 'absolutely wants' to incorporate the issue of women in agriculture into Ireland's presidency of the Council of the EU. The minister was speaking at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine this week, his first meeting with the committee as the senior minister at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. In the second half of 2026, Ireland will hold the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, which means Minister Heydon, if he is still minister at that time, will chair the meetings of the EU's agriculture ministers. Among the wide range of issues that came up at this week's committee meeting was women in agriculture, with Senator Victor Boyhan asking the minister if he will make the issue a priority during Ireland's EU council presidency. Boyhan also pointed out that 2026 has been designated by the United Nations (UN) as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Boyhan told the minister: 'The UN have designated 2026 – which is timely as you'll be [in] a critical role in all of this – as the international year of women farmers. 'There is a lead-in time, and a very significant lead-in time, and I want to use some of my time in this agricultural committee to really, really champion women in agriculture,' Boyhan added. 'I think it's really, really important that we support women in agriculture, that we have this UN designation in 2026, we also have the presidency [of the EU council] in 2026. 'I'd ask you to take away this request…that you would really place a high focus on that, and perhaps you might initiate some engagement later in the year back to this committee to see how can we build around stakeholder involvement; how can we put that to the fore of agriculture and our deliberations in the Oireachtas and this committee, because I think that is really important,' Boyhan said. In response to Boyhan's comments, Minister Heydon said: 'That is something we absolutely want to incorporate into our presidency.' According to the minister, the issue of women in farming is important globally, not just in Ireland or the EU; and that the EU has role in promoting that. 'There is an element that when you have the presidency of the EU, it's a huge honour, but it comes with it a responsibility, not just within the EU, but obviously then…outward facing. 'Women in agriculture is something that I promoted at events when I was on trade missions in Mexico previously, and different areas, but one area where it's really important is the area of Africa,' Minister Heydon said. 'Incorporating the women in agriculture role and linking it to food security in places like Africa is really important as well,' he added. Turning back to Irish farming, the minister said: 'Women in agriculture also features in our programme for government, and there are key measures I would look to progress over my term in the Department of Agriculture to be able to enhance that role because I know how important it is. 'We have so many farms where women are the key drivers of the farm but their name may not appear on the blue card or on the herd number and therefore their role isn't as recognised, but it's absolutely integral. 'I'm happy to work with you and the committee members on any ideas you might have on that or other elements of our presidency [of the EU council],' Minister Heydon added. Speaking to Agriland at Leinster House after his comments in the committee, Senator Boyhan, said: 'We have a vast array of interests on the committee, so I chose today to speak about women in agriculture because there was…an action plan arising from the National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture, so I particularly zoned in on that. 'I think to be effective in the agriculture committee given our limited time, we have to use that time wisely and I persuaded the minister to commit to [that], particularly next year because next year is the international year for women in agriculture, also we have the presidency, so I think it's important that we dovetail them, and I got that commitment from the minister,' Boyhan added.
Agriland
08-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Senator Boyhan appointed to new Oireachtas Ag committee
Independent senator, Victor Boyhan, today (Thursday, May 8) confirmed that he has been appointed to the influential Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food. Senator Boyhan, who also served on the previous Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, believes there are a number of immediate challenges on the horizon for Irish agriculture as well as opportunities. One of these which is fundamental to the future of Irish agriculture is the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Senator Boyhan told Agriland that as he 'comes from a family steeped in agriculture' he understands 'the ambition farmers have for their families and their rural communities'. ' My father was a cattle dealer who was forced to leave home early, he instilled in me the strong connection to homestead, place and roots – his generation that never got opportunity to return from where they came. 'His countless stories and indeed many regrets are a constant reminder to me of lost opportunities of too many rural communities,' Senator Boyhan added. Oireachtas committee According to Senator Boyhan, he is excited about working with the new chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food, the Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North-West, Aindrias Moynihan. He also paid tribute to the chair of the previous committee, former Fianna Fáil TD, Jackie Cahill, who Senator Boyhan said had the 'ability to summarise the problem and propose a solution' and was never afraid to challenge the status quo, if necessary. According to the senator, one of the major challenges now facing Irish agriculture 'will be to consolidate and find new markets for Irish agri-exports in light of tariffs that may be pursued by the United States'. 'Clearly negotiation and a resolution to this impasse is in everyone's interest. 'I expect this issue will be a top priority for the new committee,' he added. Senator Boyhan said one of his key objectives, once the new Oireachtas committee is up and running, will be will be to 'give a voice to farmers, producers and their representative organisations'. 'The committee has access to the minister for agriculture, the ministers of state and his departmental officials. 'Holding the minister and his department to account on policy performance and governance oversight is for me the most important aspect of my work on the committee, I look forward to working collaboratively and respectfully with all stakeholders to advance the best interests of the agricultural sector,' he added.
Irish Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
An Bord Pleanála failure to decide on applications delays up to 6,000 apartments
Planning for some 6,000 'fast-track' apartments has stalled for more than three years, delaying construction after An Bord Pleanála failed to decide on 18 applications from 2021 and 2022. New figures show the planning body has still not overcome the legacy of the 2022 governance scandal that halted decision making on key files. These included strategic housing development (SHD) plans, a 2017 process that was supposed to accelerate apartment building. Applications went directly to An Bord Pleanála, bypassing local councils in contentious measures that later led to dozens of High Court cases. The planning board paid out €1.43 million in fines for not processing 143 SHD applications on time. But it has since made 'significant progress' clearing a large backlog of SHD and other planning files that accumulate in 2022 and 2023. READ MORE But records show 18 SHD schemes in Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Wicklow and Wexford are 'not decided', years after the window for applications closed in early 2022. One further Co Offaly case 'cannot be decided' as it is subject to a legal order. Independent Senator Victor Boyhan , who pressed An Bord Pleanála to publish the data, said developers made big gains from flaws in the SHD regime. 'The SHD process, hailed as an opportunity by the Government, failed to deliver housing units at scale. In fact, the majority of permissions granted were not built out. The developers gained in terms of site value as a result of An Bord Pleanála approval,' said Mr Boyhan. 'I am in favour of a use-it-or-lose-it [rule in] these so-called fast track SHD permissions, after a period of three years. Priority was given by the Government through the SHD to deliver new homes. It was never intended to aid and enhance site values, which is what has happened.' Asked about SHD delays, An Bord Pleanála replied: 'Legal complications arose in 2022 due to the fact that a number of SHD applications were lodged where subsequently a new city or county development plan came into force.' A 2024 Supreme Court ruling 'provided some clarity on this matter', prompting the planning board to establish a special team of inspectors to deal with outstanding SHD files. 'Since January 2024, the board have disposed of 36 cases and there are a further four cases at board level, due to be decided shortly. It is not possible at this juncture to provide a specific time frame for each outstanding case. 'However, there are a further 15 cases currently on hand and it is envisaged that these will be decided by the end of the [second quarter of the year],' it said. Another 16 SHD cases have been sent back to the board after litigation. 'These cases will require further consideration by the board and new inspectors' reports will need to be prepared to take account of the significant changes in planning and development law, county and city plans and ministerial guidelines that have occurred in the intervening time.' Citing the need to balance priorities, the agency said it expects to dispose of those cases by the end of 2025. An Bord Pleanála was rocked by turmoil in 2022 when then deputy chairman Paul Hyde resigned after questions were raised about his work. He received a suspended prison sentence in 2023 for failing to declare certain personal interests. The disruption prompted a breakdown in board decision-making on big housing and infrastructure files. New laws followed to overhaul An Bord Pleanála and planning. The restructured institution will work under a new name, An Coimisiún Pleanála.
