Results 20,061-20,080 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bovine Disease Controls (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The BVD Implementation Group has concluded that early removal of PI animals is essential for the success of the industry led Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme. In view of this, earlier this year, my Department wrote to farmers who had retained PI animals stating that it was expected that some movement controls aimed at protecting the vast majority of clear herds would be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Eligibility (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: Applicants to the 2015 National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme who had not yet commenced their FETAC Level 6 or equivalent agricultural education course were required to register for training with an agricultural education provider prior to submitting their application under the schemes. The education provider issued the prospective applicant with an expression of interest letter which the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes was received from the person named on 28 May 2015. Processing of the application under both schemes has recently been finalised and payment will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Applications (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The GLAS application of the person named includes the Rare Breed Action. Persons selecting this action must provide proof of membership of the relevant breed society in 2012 or 2013 and the requirements for this, together with the names of the relevant societies, is clearly set out in the scheme specifications. The Irish Horse Board is the keeper of the stud book for the Irish Draught Horse...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I think most people know what the formalities are in respect of the horse and greyhound racing fund. I will be happy to answer questions from members following my presentation. The most recent estimates available suggest the horse and greyhound racing industries underpin over 24,000 jobs and stimulate approximately €1.6 billion in economic output. The industries receive financial...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I will deal with the matter.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: There are several busy racetracks along the west coast.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: Perhaps I could respond quickly to some of the Senators' questions before they leave. On harness racing, I have much sympathy for the case made by the Irish Harness Racing Association. I have met its representatives and I did ask that harness racers be facilitated in Dundalk and they were. The Irish Harness Racing Association is an affiliate of Horse Sport Ireland rather than Horse Racing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: We need to understand what lies behind this. The racing industry is a hugely valuable one. Racetracks run important events. There needs to be a conversation between the harness sector and horse racing sector so that each understands that tracks can be used without damage being caused to the turf or the surface. I have asked Horse Racing Ireland to have that conversation with the harness...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: It receives about €5 million, half of which it gets from us and the other half from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Deputy should not forget that there are multiple disciplines, including ponies, eventing, showjumping and dressage. There are other demands to be met, including Connemara ponies in the west to putting Olympic teams together. We have been increasing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: For the first time it has also facilitated the holding of an event on one of the top tracks.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: We will intervene again, but-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I understand the issue involved, but to be fair to HRI, the Irish Harness Racing Association is not affiliated to it. It is an affiliate of Horse Sport Ireland.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: That is fine, but what is happening for the first time is a conversation between the Irish Harness Racing Association and HRI. The conversation got off to a slow start, but it is now developing and we should give it an opportunity to develop further, rather than put HRI under pressure and say we will not give it any money until it does X, Y and Z for the harness racing industry. I can speak...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I might not be able to attend next week.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am sorry, but this is not about HRI giving it money because we must ensure the funding allocated for the equine industry is fair and proportionate. We have a fund to fund the horse racing industry which at present does not incorporate harness racing. Harness racing is included in the sports horse sector.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: We changed that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: Yes, and I am giving a commitment that I will speak to HRI about harness racing, and I will ask it to have an open mind and to be supportive, but I will not direct it to give money for the moment. I have not even seen the harness racing industry's application for funding. There are many other demands for funding in the equine sector. I am not saying "Yes" or "No" to the harness racing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I will make sure they come here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: With respect, I have Cabinet meetings on Tuesday mornings and I have some big things coming up.