Results 22,021-22,040 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Industry (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: Dog microchipping became compulsory for all dogs on 31 March 2016. Microchipping will help to protect the welfare of dogs by promoting responsible dog ownership and also a valuable way of reuniting owners with lost or stolen pets. I have no plans to exempt greyhounds from this requirement.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted applications under the ‘young farmer’ category of the National Reserve and also the Young Farmers Scheme to my Department. These applications have been fully processed and payment will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application on 12 May 2015. During processing of this application an over-claim was identified in relation to the commonage lands declared and as the difference between the number of eligible hectares determined and the number of hectares declared was greater than 20% no payment could be made under the Basic Payment Scheme. The person...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Appeals (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted applications under the ‘young farmer’ category of the 2015 National Reserve to my Department. This application was not successful as the applicant exceeded the off-farm income limit required for acceptance under the scheme. The applicant was notified in writing of this decision and was offered the opportunity to submit an appeal. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: An application has not yet been received from the individual named who is registered with the Department in a Joint Venture. It is open to the person named to submit an online application under the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme of TAMS II for loose houses, slatted areas and a range of other investments related to animal housing. Grant aid is paid on approved,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme/Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 1 April 2015. Under the 2015 ANC Scheme, eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months and to maintain an annual average of 0.15 livestock...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Young Farmers Scheme (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The 2015 National Reserve fund was based on a 3% cut to the Basic Payment Scheme financial ceiling and provided some €24 million in funding which was the maximum financing rate available under the relevant EU Regulations. When finalised there will be some 6,000 successful applicants under the 2015 National Reserve. As all of the National Reserve Funding will likely have been...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: 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 be completed before any payment can issue. The application of the person named was also selected for an on-farm inspection which took place on 2 September 2015. During this inspection non-compliances...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Premium Payments (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The application by the person named under the native woodland element of the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme is still under consideration in my Department. On 8 April 2016 my Department wrote to the registered forester representing the applicant requesting that the application be revised to exclude certain unsuitable areas. Once this revised application is received the matter will be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced their AEOS contract on 1 September 2011. Payment has issued in respect of the 2011-2015 Scheme year. 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. Following the completion of these checks the 2015 scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Special Areas of Conservation Designation (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The designation of Hen Harrier habitat under the Birds Directive is a matter for the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in the first instance. Farmed areas identified to my Department by that Department as Hen Harrier habitat to be protected are given priority access to the GLAS scheme. While it is not within my remit to alter areas identified by the Department of Arts, Heritage...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Veterinary Qualifications (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: In accordance with the Veterinary Practice Act 2005, the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) is the competent authority for the recognition of qualifications of veterinary practitioners from the EU or third countries.  The Veterinary Practice Act provides for the mutual recognition of qualifications in veterinary medicine within the EU and for mutual recognition agreements between...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: I along with my officials, have been very active in recent months in highlighting the potentially very damaging impact of a Mercosur deal on the European agriculture sector, and on the beef sector in particular. At political level, I have continuously raised the issue with my Member State colleagues and with Commissioners Malmström and Hogan, both within the Council of Agriculture...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The conditions under which circus animals are kept and managed come under the scope of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which contains rules relating to the welfare of all animals and requires a person having an animal under his or her control to safeguard and not endanger the health and welfare of the animal. The circus referred to was inspected by Veterinary Inspectors of my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The position in relation to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening in 2015 is as follows. My Department has received some 126,000 applications under the 2015 BPS from applicants who currently hold entitlements. Under EU Regulations, all these applications are subject to robust administrative checks prior to payment. The work of my Department in this critical area must meet demanding...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Appeals (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted an application under the ‘Old Young Farmer’ category of the 2015 National Reserve. This application was not successful as the applicant was deemed to have commenced farming prior to 2008. On this basis the person named does not meet the eligibility criteria under the National Reserve ‘Old Young Farmer’ category. The person named was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Appeals (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The basic 2014 REPS4 payment due to the person named was made in March 2015. Penalties were imposed in relation to this payment which meant that the amount was reduced significantly. The Department is conducting a full review of the penalties imposed in this case. It is expected that this review will be concluded within the next two weeks. At that stage, the person named will be informed...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, 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, the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Allowances (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: Rates of remuneration and conditions of employment in the Irish public sector have traditionally been set by reference to relative levels of pay across the various sectors of the Irish public sector. The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts of 2009-201 5 and the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2018 (Lansdowne Road Agreement) define current pay policy. Under the...

Irish Water: Statements (27 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: I welcome the opportunity to outline the views of Fine Gael on the future of water services. It is important to state at the very outset that Fine Gael fully believes in the benefits of maintaining a national utility to fix, upgrade and maintain our water network so families and businesses can enjoy a secure and clean water supply. We also stand by our belief in the conservation of water as...