Results 21,541-21,560 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: The applicant in question has submitted a grant application under the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme in TAMS II. Once applications are submitted on the online system they cannot be amended on line by the applicants. Applications under this scheme are being currently processed and my Department officials will be in contact to address the issue directly with the applicant.

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

Simon Coveney: I understand that the incident to which the Deputy refers to has been reported to An Garda Siochana for investigation. Since these investigations are ongoing, I cannot comment any further on the matter. Incidents of animal cruelty such as this are completely unacceptable. Sections 11 and 12 of the Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013, which I introduced, contain rules relating to the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Applications (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 29 May, 2015. Payment has not issued to the person named as the holding concerned cannot be confirmed as satisfying the Scheme’s minimum stocking density requirements. Under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum...

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. An official from my Department has been in direct contact with the person named regarding land parcels omitted from the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application form submitted on behalf of the person named. Once the issues regarding the land parcels have been resolved the...

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

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted a 2015 Private Contract Clause application to my Department seeking the transfer of land and entitlements by lease. This application has been processed and payment will issue shortly. The person named also submitted applications under the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme to my Department.  Once payment under the Basic Payment Scheme has been made,...

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

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes was received from the person named on 7 May 2015. Processing of this application is complete and payment has issued to the nominated bank account of the person named. The person named joined AEOS 3 in May 2013 and has been paid for the 2013-2014 Scheme years. In relation to the payment in respect of 2015, under the EU...

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

Simon Coveney: The Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive establishes a framework for European Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides by setting minimum rules to reduce the risks to human health and the environment that are associated with pesticide use. It also promotes the use of integrated pest management.The Directive is designed to further enhance the high level of protection...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farmers Charter of Rights (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: A Farmers’ Charter Review Group was set up in 2014 with a view to agreeing a new Farmers’ Charter of Rights. The Farmers Charter Review Group was chaired by an Assistant Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and comprised of senior Department officials and representatives of the main farmer representative organisations.Following on from positive...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farmers Charter of Rights (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I understand the Deputy is referring to the original Farmers’ Charter of Rights which dates back to the mid 1990s. Statistics in relation to that Charter are not readily available. However, there have been a number of versions of the Charter since then. Throughout the years, targets set down in the various Farmers’ Charters have been monitored by independently chaired...

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

Simon Coveney: The primary responsibility for ensuring that aquaculture licence conditions are fully adhered to rests, in the first instance, with each licence holder. Where instances of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of an aquaculture licence are identified by my Department the matter is referred to the licence holder for corrective action. The efficient and effective regulation of...

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

Simon Coveney: My Department is currently examining possible overstocking in respect of four sites operated by one operator. Pending completion of this examination it would not be appropriate to comment further.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheep Technology Adoption Programme Payments (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named was a participant in the 2015 Sheep Technology Adoption Programme (STAP). As part of his commitment under that scheme he undertook to carry out a faecal egg count reduction test. Appendix III to the Terms and Conditions of the scheme sets out the instructions for this test, including the stipulation that re-sampling must take place 14 days after treatment. As this...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to maintaining the establishment of at least 9,500 in the Permanent Defence Force, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. As there is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff Retirements (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that no cases of the kind referred to by the Deputy were taken against my Department in the last four years.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Easter Rising Commemorations (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The State is undertaking a comprehensive programme of commemorations during 2016 which commenced on New Year’s Day in Dublin Castle.  Further details of the commemorations being held this year are available at .  I am currently considering any further initiatives that may be introduced in this context.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: As I mentioned to the Deputy yesterday Officials from the Department are scheduled to meet with the CEO of Westmeath County Council later this week to discuss the long-term future plans for the Barracks. I would hope that some progress can be made to determine the future direction for the Barracks. I would also be happy to discuss, with any interested group, any proposals they may have for...

Seanad: Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015: Second Stage (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to introduce the Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015 to the Seanad. I should say at the outset that this Bill has been the subject of a very constructive process of pre-legislative scrutiny by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The final shape of the Bill before the House today has therefore been very significantly influenced by the view of Senators,...

Seanad: Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015: Second Stage (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Senator.

Seanad: Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015: Second Stage (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: No. It is not just dates.

Seanad: Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015: Second Stage (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Senators for their very generous comments, particularly those from the Opposition spokespeople. I appreciate that. I obviously appreciate those from my own crowd as well. They are always welcome. I will answer some of the questions people have put because I want to reassure people about a number of things. People need to realise that the horse and greyhound racing fund is now...