Written answer
Cabinet Committees
85. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that oversees agriculture will next meet. [36938/26]
Comment on this
86. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Taoiseach the Cabinet Committee that oversees agriculture; and when it will next meet. [38909/26]
Comment on this
87. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Taoiseach the Cabinet committee that oversees agriculture; and when it will next meet. [38911/26]
Comment on this
88. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Taoiseach the Cabinet committee that oversees agriculture; and when it will next meet. [38912/26]
Comment on this
89. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Taoiseach the Cabinet Committee that oversees agriculture; and when it will next meet. [38913/26]
Comment on this
90. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee that oversees agriculture will next meet. [51506/26]
Comment on this
91. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee that oversees agriculture will next meet. [51509/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 to 91, inclusive, together.
The Government has placed agriculture and rural development at the heart of our work and the Programme for Government sets out our ambitions to do more to grow our agri-food sector and see our rural economy and rural communities thrive.
Government has mainstreamed agriculture across the Cabinet Committee system, to ensure that agriculture and rural policy are always factored into wider considerations and Government action.
With this in mind, we established the Cabinet Committee on Water Quality, which has been instrumental in our efforts to secure a derogation on the nitrates directive. Likewise, the Cabinet Committee on EU and International Affairs has been a forum for closely monitoring CAP developments and shaping our positions.
The Cabinet Committee on Economy, Trade and Competitiveness and the Cabinet Committee on Climate Action, Environment and Energy have also regularly discussed agricultural issues particularly with regards to fully unlocking the economic potential within rural Ireland.
As with all policy areas, agriculture issues are regularly discussed at Cabinet and there is regular cross-departmental engagement on issues that affect agriculture and our farming communities.