Author Archives: Bodger

Yesterday.

Dail Eireann, Dublin 2,.

The Minister for Agriculture and Marine Charlie McConalogu is considering initiating a review of the national mackerel quota, which was described by Social Democrats Agriculture Spokesperson Holly Cairns as a “very blatant unfair policy” to inshore fishers.

Minister McConalogue said any decision to change the national mackerel quota would “require a very significant and comprehensive public consultation process”.

Meanwhile, this morning…

…Deputy Cairns said:

“Currently, a paltry 2% of Ireland’s mackerel quota is assigned to vessels under 15 metres while 98% is assigned to just 50 larger boats. This massive disparity is not imposed by the EU, but by the Department of Agriculture – and it is making inshore fishing both unsustainable and unviable.

“Last year, small vessels were stopped from catching mackerel in June, when their meagre annual quota was reached. At the time, I asked Minister McConalogue to act but no help for inshore fishers was forthcoming. With just two months to go before quotas are again exhausted, the Minister must come forward with proactive solutions.

“The alternative is a repeat of last year’s scandalous situation whereby even the operators of the smallest of vessels, who are barely getting by, were not permitted to catch a few dozen mackerel to sell at local farmers’ markets.

“It is entirely within the Minister’s authority to adjust the quota allocation. Even a marginal change, from 2% to 4%, would make a huge difference to inshore fishers and still leave larger vessels with 96% of the catch.

“Existing government policy contradicts Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy, which states the allocation of quota must be based on the environment; social and economic benefits; and the policy preamble – which specifically states that small offshore islands, dependent on fishing, should be especially recognised to enable them to survive and thrive.”

Anyone?

Review of national mackerel quota considered, says Minister for Agriculture (RTE)

Shutterstock

Yikes!

Anyone?

Phurba?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

This morning.

Via RTÉ News:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address a joint sitting of the Oireachtas this morning via video link.

TDs, Senators and 45 foreign diplomats will gather in the Dáil chamber to hear the historic address by Mr Zelensky, whose country has been repelling a Russian invasion for the past six weeks.

He is expected to speak for ten minutes, in an address which is likely to reference what he describes as war crimes in Bucha and other cities which were occupied by Russian forces.

He is also expected to mention his country’s application to join the European Union – something he wants addressed urgently, and which the Government supports.

It is unclear if he will mention his recent address to EU leaders, regarding their level of support for Ukraine – a speech in which he is reported to have said: “Ireland – well practically.

Ukraine’s president to address joint sitting of Oireachtas (RTE)

Getty

Meanwhile…

To the pitchforks.

This afternoon.

Dublin  Castle, Dublin 2.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin, joined by Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Culture Minister Catherine Martin at the launch of pilot programme that could see a Universal Basic Oncome for artists in irerland..

Although why Paddy Cosgrave (backdrop pic 2) needs one  is beyond us.

Earlier…

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin arriving to Cabinet in Dublin Castle this morning

This morning.

Paint back better.

Meanwhile…

The Chair of National Campaign for the Arts said she hopes the eligibility to qualify for an artists basic income will be broad and that the final selection is randomised, rather than on a competitive basis.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Angela Dorgan said: “I think today marks probably the most momentous indication of how Ireland values its artists, probably since, you know, the establishment of the Arts Council who celebrate their 70th birthday this year.”

She said the eligibility criteria should be easy to get through and she hopes that there will be “multiple boxes to tick” in terms of eligibility.

Ms Dorgan said that most artists live under the poverty line and work in cycles.

She explained that if an artist has a successful project during the three years of this pilot scheme they will pay a high tax on those profits.

“If you sell that brilliant painting or that album you made goes to number one, you pay 40% tax on the first euro you make from that,” she said.

Cabinet discusses pilot on basic income for artists (RTE)

RollingNews

 Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue

This afternoon.

Further to confirmation last week by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue that Ireland had received the European Commission’s ‘Observations letter’ querying aspects of Ireland’s draft Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan.

MEP Luke Ming Flanagan said:

“Ireland submitted its draft CAP Strategic Plan to Brussels on Dec 2021. As part of the ratification process the Commission makes observations on this, requesting the Member State to amend/improve aspects of the plan to meet the criteria set out in the EU regulation.

“Ireland is now in receipt of the letter from the Commission, in which they will have outlined their response to Ireland’s submission and where we need to improve or tweak the plan to meet the nine overarching objectives that form the foundations of the new CAP reform.

“Sweden, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands have published their communication with the Commission. In the interests of transparency, MEP Flanagan is calling on Minister McConalogue to do the same as a matter of urgency.

“The CAP is a vital income support to all farmers, the new reform will have far reaching implication on farm incomes. We cannot have decisions made behind closed doors, we need informed decision-making.”

Anyone?

McConalogue confirms receipt of European Commission’s observations letter in respect of Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan 2023-27 (Gov.ie)

RollingNews

Elon Musk became Twitter’s largest shareholder yesterday

This afternoon.

Anyone?

Getty

Above from left: Jared Gormly, Head of HSE Spark Innovation programme, Dermot Burke, HSCP Innovation Fellow, Amy Carroll, Nursing/Midwifery Innovation Fellow, Minister Stephen Donnelly, Dr Rachel McNamara, NCHD Innovation Fellow, Prof Martin Curley, HSE Digital Transformation

This afternoon.

Baggott Street, Dublin 2.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly at the Department of health launches the Hospital Innovation Fund – a collaboration between the Spark Innovation Programme, HSE Digital Transformation Office, the Acute Hospital Division and the HSE Change Guide – funding approved for projects impacting on waiting lists, capacity, digital transformation and improving patient care.

Meanwhile…

This afternoon.

Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

Taniaste Leo Varadkar arriving to Cabinet in Dublin Castle this morning

This afternoon.

Via Independent.ie:

The membership of the Fianna Fáil youth wing has voted in support of a motion which called on party TDs “not to cast votes in favour of any individual seeking election to office of Taoiseach should said individual be under criminal investigation”.

The motion, which was before the Fianna Fáil Ógra National Youth Conference last weekend, also called on TDs “not to support said individuals to ministerial portfolios”.

Through the passing of the motion, the youth wing’s central office board will have to bring the same motion to the party’s ard fheis.

This means the membership of the entire Fianna Fáil party, as well as its ministers, TDs and senators, will vote on the motion at the party conference in several months’ time.

FIGHT!

Fianna Fáil youth wing will call on TDs not to vote Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach if he is still under garda investigation (Independent.ie)

RollingNews

This morning/afternoon.

FIGHT!

Support for Irish unity gives hope to nationalism (The Irish News)

Previously: Soon We’ll be Shipbuilding