The landslide flooded farmland with peat and water. \ John O Hanlon
Twenty Leitrim farmers whose lands were affected by a landslide in 2020 will have force majeure applied to their 2021 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application, Minister McConalogue has said.
In response to questions from Sligo Leitrim TD Marian Harkin in the Dáil this week, he said that Department of Agriculture officials are contacting the affected landowners or their advisers letting them know that force majeure will apply in respect of their applications.
“Affected applicants should ensure that their applications for participation in the various farm schemes in 2021 are submitted as required before any applicable closing dates, most notably and most urgently the basic scheme application, which must be submitted by 17 May,” he said.
Updated / Thursday, 6 May 2021
15:52
Rural TDs have expressed serious reservations about the proposed legislation
Minister for the Environment and Climate, Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan has introduced the Climate Action Bill to the Dáil.
The wide-ranging bill includes cuts in carbon emissions, a key priority for the Green Party when it entered Government last year.
Rural TDs have this afternoon expressed serious reservations about the proposed legislation.
TD Mattie McGrath, of the Rural Independent Group, warned that the Bill, which he said is being rushed through , diminishes our democracy as it includes little or no democratic accountability , and gives the Climate Change Advisory Council much more input than elected TDs.
Nineteen of 24 TDs in their 60s signal yes to Astra Zeneca jab Independent Mattie McGrath and FF ’s John McGuinness non-committal on seeking shot
about 6 hours ago
The vast majority of TDs in their 60s say they will sign up for a Covid-19 vaccination and would accept an AstraZeneca jab if it is what they are offered.
An Irish Times survey found 19 of the 24 TDs – almost 80 per cent of those who fall into the 60-to-69 age bracket – will register for the vaccination.
Two TDs – Independent TD for Tipperary Mattie McGrath and Fianna Fáil’s Carlow-Kilkenny TD John McGuinness – would not say whether or not they will seek to be inoculated.
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TDs and senators can claim for payments to help them with a wide variety of office type functions and expertise
Oireachtas members across the Shannonside Northern Sound region claimed almost €140,000 in expenses for secretarial and public relations advice between last July and January of this year.
The special allowance can be claimed by any member of the Dail or Seanad to cover consultancy costs, public relations or I.T expertise. This information was obtained by Ken Foxe and the Right to Know campaign under Freedom of Information.
The figures show that between July last year and January this year when local TD s claimed a total of €114,711 for a variety of services.
The scheme continues to be popular with farmers. \ Ramona Farrelly
Just over €27m has been drawn down by farmers and those working in agriculture, fishing and forestry through the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme.
In terms of value, farmers have received the third highest amount after retail traders and those in accommodation and food services.
The number of loan applications marks 18% of overall numbers, and is tied with retail traders for the highest number of applications per sector.
“The scheme provides €2bn in lending, for terms up to five-and-a-half years and offers a range of lending products between €10,000 and €1m,” Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said, in response to a parliamentary question from TD Marian Harkin.