Results 21,521-21,540 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 262, 263 and 265 together. It is my priority as Minister for Defence to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible. The Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State and, in the event of a terrorist...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: As of 1 January 2016, Ireland is contributing 423 Defence Forces personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement beneath. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 197 personnel and the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The acquisition of new equipment and equipment upgrades for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence, and I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have a modern and effective range of equipment as required to fulfil all roles that are assigned to them by Government. Going forward, the equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and the Naval Service will be...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 December 2015, the latest date for which figures are available was 9,140, comprising 7,309 Army, 748 Air Corps and 1,083 Naval Service personnel. The following table outlines the establishment, strength and vacancies of the Permanent Defence Force, by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 31...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The involvement of the Defence Forces in responding to emergencies arises from requests for assistance from agencies of the State in an Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) role. The Framework for Major Emergency Management sets out the structure for enabling the Principal Response Agencies (An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and Local Authorities) to prepare for, and make a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Retirements (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: My Department had no case of the type mentioned by the Deputy in the last four years. The parallel information in respect of the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the Bodies themselves.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Appeals (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted an application under 2015 Basic Payment Scheme which was received in the Department on 13 July 2015. This application was deemed 100% late, and therefore no payment was due under the scheme. However, an application for the waiver of this penalty has been recently received under grounds of force majeure/exceptional circumstances. This appeal has been successful and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced their AEOS 3 contract on 1 May 2013 and has been paid for the 2013 and 2014 scheme years. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place. These checks have now been completed and it is expected that payment...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes was received from the person named on 24 March 2015. Processing of the application under both schemes is complete and payments have issued to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted applications under the 2015 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme to my Department.  Payments under the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme commenced in mid-December and as publicised at that time will continue into January/February. The applications received from the person named have been finalised and payment is due to issue shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted a 2015 Transfer of Entitlement Allocation Right and Reference Value application to my Department. All details relating to land parcel details for 2013 and 2015 and Single Payment entitlement values from 2014 had to be reconciled in order to process this application. This application has been fully processed and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Quotas (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: Each month I receive recommendations from industry representatives at the Quota Management Advisory Committee in relation to the periodic amounts, usually monthly for demersal stocks. Under the current arrangements, a formal Whitefish Quota Management Advisory Committee involving fishing industry representatives meets each month and as far as possible I take account of their recommendations...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Offices (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: In 2009, in line with government policy, my Department began a process of restructuring its local office network which reduced the number of local offices from 58 to 16 enhanced Regional Offices. A follow-on review of the business processes and procedures and, in particular, the administrative support requirements, in those 16 offices resulted in the introduction of a number of significant...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Payments (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted a 2015 Transfer of Entitlement Allocation Right and Reference Value application to my Department seeking the transfer of allocation rights and values to a Company by way of Change of Legal Entity. He also submitted a 2015 Private Contract Clause application seeking the transfer of land and entitlements by lease to the Company. All details relating to land parcel...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Teagasc Rationalisation Programme (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The development and operation of the Suckler Beef Demonstration farm in Athenry is an operational matter for Teagasc and its governing Authority, which is representative of the main stakeholder groups in the agri-food sector including the farm organisations. The farm was developed to demonstrate a profitable suckler to beef system in terms of economic, environmental and animal welfare...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Schemes was received from the person named on 26 May, 2015. In relation to the ANC scheme, the application has been processed and payment has issued to the person named. In relation to the Basic Payment Scheme, the person named submitted a 2015 Transfer of Allocation Right and Reference Value application to my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Agencies Staff Recruitment (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The office of the present Chief Executive Officer of Horse Racing Ireland is due to expire in September 2016. The filling of this important post after that date is currently under consideration and is the subject of discussion with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry Development (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The European Commission published Cyprus’ application for Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status for Halloumi/Hellim cheese on 28 July 2015. On the same day the President of the Commission and the two leaders in Cyprus reached a common understanding that an internationally accredited body would be appointed as the control body in both parts of Cyprus. The Commission also adopted...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Payments (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The number of entitlements to be allocated to any one farmer under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015 is based on the number of eligible hectares declared in 2013 or 2015, whichever is lesser. The person named declared 32.48 hectares of eligible land in 2013 and in 2015 declared 32.44 hectares, therefore he has been allocated 32.44 entitlements in respect of 2015. The 2015 value of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbour Authorities Properties (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute. While first and foremost a working fishery harbour, Howth, similar to the other five Fishery Harbour Centres, has its own unique features, and is home to a broad range of diverse economic and social activities. My Department is conscious of...