Results 20,401-20,420 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: While the state provides significant support for the beef sector, the volume of production is ultimately a function of commercial factors such as the price of beef, the cost of farm inputs, market demand, consumer preferences, disposable income and the demand for other meats and sources of protein . The average price received by producers for an R 3 steer in 2015 to date is €4.01, over...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Correspondence (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I have forwarded a copy of the response to this letter directly to the Deputy .

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2015 Basic Payments / Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes was received from the person named on 29 May, 2015. Processing of the application under both schemes has been finalised and payment has issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ash Dieback Threat (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The first confirmed finding of Ash dieback in Ireland was at a forestry plantation site in County Leitrim in October 2012. Surveys led to further findings of the disease. The first step was the introduction of national legislative measures in November 2012 under the Destructive Insects and Pest Acts 1958 and 1991 which listed the disease as a pest and which also regulated the import of ash...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme was received from the person named on 8 April 2015. Payment under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme has not issued to the person named as, at this stage, the holding concerned has not satisfied the Scheme’s minimum stocking density requirements. Under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Production Issues (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of concerns regarding an application for PDO status for Halloumi Cheese. I am strongly supportive of the Protection of Designation of Origin (PDO) regulation and indeed a number of Irish products, supported by other member states, benefit from the protections afforded by the regime. This is a complex matter and my officials are considering an appropriate response at present.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Sector Pensions (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: Since October 2015, monthly payments from the Defence Forces pensions payroll are being made by the Payroll Shared Services Centre (PSSC) – under the aegis of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform – rather than by the Department of Defence.  In relation to the December monthly pensions, arrangements have been made by my Department with the PSSC for Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: As with many other Defence Forces barracks, Custume Barracks is used as a location for training for Units preparing to deploy overseas. The Defence Forces are participating in a German-led Battlegroup from July 2015 until December 2016. The Defence Forces Battlegroup contingent is based in Custume Barracks. This contribution to the German led Battlegroup is the Defence Forces major...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Meetings (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: At the opening session of the recent meeting of EU Ministers for Defence in Brussels, on 17th November 2015, the French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drein invoked Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union. Member States offered strong messages of solidarity and support. I extended my condolences to the French Minister and the French people and pledged Ireland's support for France at...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: Following the invoking of Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union by the French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drein, at the recent meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Brussels, it is expected that the framework within which the French authorities will request the aid and assistance required, military and otherwise, will be clarified in the coming days. I will report to Government in due...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: As evidenced by the recent tragic event in Bamako, the situation in Northern and Eastern Mali remains difficult. An anti-terrorist military operation Barkhane in Africa's region is being implemented by France on a bi-lateral basis, in partnership with Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad, as well as Mali. Defence Forces personnel will not become involved in this mission. On 18 February...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Chairman. We are addressing two issues, are we not - the Supplementary Estimate and the UN motion?

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: There will be an opportunity if members wish to ask broader questions about UN service, our current plans and so on. The issue is topical. I will try to be as open as I can, but we need to get through the Supplementary Estimate first. It is largely a budgetary and technical measure and I will answer questions members may have. I thank the committee for giving me the opportunity to...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: There are no initiatives that would have been undertaken that are not being undertaken. One of the problems in calculating an accurate figure for pensions is that it has been very difficult to secure increases in the pension budget at all from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform because it holds a very tight rein and has needed to do so. We have to try to estimate how many will...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy has to factor in pension costs, too.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I do not think that is the case. It is very hard to plan defence expenditure on an annual basis because in terms of much of the equipment used multi-annual planning is involved. We have just spent most of the €199 million for a ship replacement programme which involves three vessels, the third of which will arrive next summer. It is almost a five year plan. At times there is a...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I attended the RACO conference in recent weeks. Of course, we will listen to it, just as we listen to the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA. My job is to make sure we have a clear funding and policy platform for the Defence Forces because they have a complex job to do, particularly now. The nature of defence and threats to Irish interests and people...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I could talk about defence policy all day, but I will give the Chairman an answer to his question.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I was asked a question.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (25 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The reason we are here is that personnel are leaving in significant numbers and accessing pensions and we need to bring others in to replace them. There is a gap between the two and there are funding issues in terms of management.