Results 3,021-3,040 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — BIM Training Programmes: BIM Training Programmes (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 331 together. BIM is an independent statutory body and the leading provider of vocational training to the seafood industry. BIM has advised my Department that the demands of delivering the 14 week intensive course leading to the Skipper Full Certificate of Competency require the availability of two Master Mariner plus other instructors with maritime...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: Under the terms of the scheme, an applicant under the afforestation scheme who is or was a participant in the Early Retirement Scheme (ERS) is not entitled to forestry premiums at the farmer rate unless that person refunds the Department the ERS payments in full. A person who is or was a member of the ERS scheme is however entitled to forest premiums at the non-farmer rate, which are payable...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as land transactions, are the responsibility of the company. Coillte has, however, advised that it has not sold Glengarrif Woods to a private company.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named has been approved into the AEOS scheme with a start date of 1 September 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the Agri-Environment Options 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. I expect that payments to participants...

Written Answers — Fishing Quotas: Fishing Quotas (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Boarfish is a small pelagic species of fish which has in recent years become the target of commercial fishing by the Irish fleet. Until 2011 no Total Allowable Catch (TAC) or national quota had been determined. At the EU Fisheries Council negotiations in 2010 when determining the TAC and Quota for 2011, of critical importance was ensuring that Ireland received a fair share of the Boarfish...

Single Farm Payment (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that rough grazing is eligible for the single farm payment scheme and other area-based schemes such as the disadvantaged areas scheme and the grassland sheep scheme. The terms and conditions of the single payment scheme advise applicants, inter alia, that if they are to draw down full payments in respect of their single payment scheme entitlements, an eligible hectare must be...

Single Farm Payment (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: I will look into the issue. I am quite familiar with the single farm payment scheme because we make an application in respect of our farm every year. I am also familiar with the types of land that are and are not eligible under the scheme. We have a great deal of clifftop land that is not eligible, for obvious reasons. If land is to be eligible, it has to be farmable land. It has to have...

Fishing Industry Development (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: Bord Iascaigh Mhara is the leading provider of vocational training to the seafood industry. By providing accredited training services to fishing, aquaculture and processing personnel, it underpins this indigenous industry and adds to its skill set. Bord Iascaigh Mhara's seafood industry training programmes are delivered through its training centres at the National Fisheries College in...

Fishing Industry Development (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: To clarify the issue, two individuals retired rather than resigned. Bord Iascaigh Mhara has advised that in the interim and as a matter of urgency it is seeking instructors on a service supply basis through the Government's e-tender website. The short-term solution it seeks is to bring in someone from the private sector to provide the services required to train skippers for the fishing...

Fishing Industry Development (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: I concur with the Deputy. However, such provision is being made in some cases. For example, the Department recently secured sanction to increase the number of teachers in agricultural colleges to respond to the problem arising from increased student numbers. While the case before us should not have arisen, Ireland does not have many master mariners, specifically those who could fill the...

Agri-environment Options Scheme (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: I have a long reply. I will read out the final paragraphs as it will be of interest to Deputy Fleming. When the agri-environment options scheme was launched last year the intention was to increase the rate for designated land from €75 per hectare, as originally announced, to €150 per hectare. My Department has been in discussion with the Commission with a view to obtaining approval for...

Agri-environment Options Scheme (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: While I concur that the decision is disappointing, I had to make choices on the agri-environment options scheme because it was launched without financial provision being made for it in the budget. We had to create a budget for the scheme and faced a choice in this regard. We could increase the payment for the designated areas from €75 to €100 per hectare which would have cost...

Milk Quota (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: This issue was debated in some detail last night and on which I agree with the Deputy. We need to find a way to allow the dairy industry to expand before 2015 when the European Union wide quota system ends. We have many young and not so young farmers in many counties who have the capacity to significantly increase milk output. They are doing so already at levels dangerously above their...

Milk Quota (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: That is a good question. I understand that France and Germany do not even want to entertain a discussion on this issue because the milk health check was agreed after a lot of difficult debate, particularly with France and Germany. Many people in both those countries would rather not see an end to the milk quota system. They see restricting milk output as a way of securing price consistency...

Milk Quota (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: That point needs to be made and I will do so. We need to make, and are making, reasonable arguments on interest rates relating to stability funds but unfortunately these things take time. Sometimes we are dealing with stubborn viewpoints in other European countries.

Agricultural Price Levels (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: I am glad of the opportunity to answer this question because farmers are outside Leinster House today protesting on this issue. Many farmers believe they are not getting a fair percentage of the margins made on food sales by retail outlets and big supermarket chains in particular. It is important to note, however, that my powers and influence in this area are limited. Prices in big outlets...

Agricultural Price Levels (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: It is important to emphasise that we cannot fix prices.

Agricultural Price Levels (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: We cannot fix margins either. We can examine ways for primary producers to negotiate collectively to get better prices for their products. We must balance the need for primary producers to get a fair price for their products that reflects the cost of production - the poultry and pig sectors are under particular pressure because of the price of grain and feed - with the need for Irish food...

Fisheries Protection (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: In many ways this is a human rights issue rather than a fishing issue but there is a crossover. I debated this matter as a Member of the European Parliament's fisheries committee when the EU-Moroccan fisheries agreement was being considered. The current fisheries partnership agreement, FPA between the European Community and Morocco came into force in February 2007. A fisheries protocol...

Fisheries Protection (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: In terms of our approach towards the Western Sahara issue, I will reread two paragraphs into the record, as it is an important matter. They read: Ireland has been clear that our final decision would be influenced by whether it can be persuasively shown that there is appropriate benefit deriving to the Saharawi people through implementation of the FPA. Therefore, our position on the...