Results 3,281-3,300 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: A revised Farm Waste Management Scheme was introduced by my Department in March 2006 in order to assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the Nitrates Directive. By virtue of the terms of the EU state aid approval for the Scheme, all work had to be completed by farmers under the Scheme by end-December 2008. The Scheme provides that relevant quality certificates must, where...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: I am acutely aware scheme payments constitute an important part of cash flow and farm income that farmers are anxious to know when they will receive their payments. I wish to assure farmers that my objective is to ensure that all outstanding claims are processed to payment stage as quickly as possible without any undue delays. All area based scheme payments are subject to exhaustive checks...

Written Answers — Farm Consolidation: Farm Consolidation (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, taxation measures are a matter for the Minister for Finance. I have written to the Minister for Finance in relation to the stamp duty exemption for farm consolidation outlining its importance as part of an overall strategy to encourage consolidation in the sector. Consolidation at farm level is important in the context of the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. Apart from...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, the programme for Government contains a commitment to enact fair trade legislation which will ban a number of unfair trading practices in the retail sector. My colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD has recently indicated to this House his intention to give effect to this commitment by including a specific enabling provision in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Single Farm Payment forms a significant part of the annual income of all farmers in Ireland. It is clear that the timing of this payment is extremely important to farmers, particularly those farmers with low farm incomes. Therefore, I decided that I would seek the approval of the EU Commission to make an advance payment of the SFP from 16 October 2011. While the Commissioner's proposal is...

Written Answers — Live Exports: Live Exports (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The EU has not proposed any new regulations relating to the export of Irish cattle. Member States are legally obliged under Council Directive 64/432 on intra-community trade to certify, among other things, that bovines and pigs being exported for breeding or production have been on a single holding during the 30 day period prior to export or, if such animals are younger than 30 days, that...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: I have had discussions with Teagasc in relation to the impact of the moratorium on operations including the delivery of education courses in the agricultural colleges. Delivery of the Teagasc education programme is an operational matter for Teagasc and its Board. I understand that over 200 staff are currently employed in the Teagasc owned colleges and the private agricultural colleges. The...

Written Answers — Agri-Food Sector: Agri-Food Sector (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: I and my officials were centrally involved in the examination of submissions made by the various stakeholders to the request for comments and input on the National Reform Plan submitted by Ireland to the EU Commission in the context of the EU 2020 strategy for recovery and growth. Secondly, in regard to the agricultural sector specifically, the Food Harvest 2020 strategy, our blueprint for...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: Food Harvest 2020 sets out a national strategy for development of the seafood sector to maximise its considerable potential to contribute to national economic recovery and provide increased employment in peripheral coastal communities. The report identifies a potential to increase employment from 11,000 to 14,000 by 2020, while increasing the value of the sector to €1 billion. Action is...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: All applications for aquaculture licenses are subjected to a rigorous examination by my Department and its scientific/technical advisers to ensure the maximum protection for the environment. Full compliance with all EU and national legislation is a minimum requirement and the process of examination includes a period of public consultation. Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory consultee in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: I am acutely aware scheme payments constitute an important part of cash flow and farm income that farmers are anxious to know when they will receive their payments. I wish to assure farmers that my objective is to ensure that all outstanding claims are processed to payment stage as quickly as possible without any undue delays. All area based scheme payments are subject to exhaustive checks...

Written Answers — Agri-Food Sector: Agri-Food Sector (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Brand Ireland recommendation in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy reflected an endorsement by the agri-food industry of the previous "Pathways for Growth" assessment by Harvard Business School working with Bord Bia. The approach is to develop an umbrella brand, or enhanced reputation, which is credible, distinctive and embraces all aspects of Irish food and drink. The complexity involved...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) were temporarily suspended for new applications on 8 June 2011 until the position in relation to the availability of funds for next year is clarified. As I indicated at the time, I could not defend a situation in which my Department continued to accept applications under schemes when there was a question-mark over the financing of those...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The detail requested by the Deputy is contained in the table below. PAYSCALE GRADE DESCRIPTION FTE MIN. (€) MAX. (€) LSI 1 (€) LSI 2 (€) ADVISORY COUNSEL GRADE 3 - PPC 1.0 71,359.00 85,628.00 88,305.00 90,988.00 AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR 33.0 57,225.00 75,476.00 78,146.00 80,814.00 AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR - PPC 41.4 60,200.00 79,319.00 82,126.00 84,935.00 AO HIGHER SCALE - PPC 3.0...

Written Answers — Common Fisheries Policy: Common Fisheries Policy (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the fisheries policy of the European Union which was first put in place in 1983 and has been subject to reviews every 10 years, the most recent was in 2002 and the next reform is scheduled for adoption in the latter half of 2012. The reformed CFP is a critical policy issue for Ireland as it will shape the strategic blueprint for the European fishing...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: Of the total of 30,254 farmers in REPS 4, 28,882 farmers have received payment in respect of the 2010 scheme year. The majority of outstanding payments have issues which need to be examined or resolved and these are being dealt with on an ongoing basis by my officials. A small number of farmers are awaiting their balancing payment of 25% - having already received 75% - because of breaches...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal considers all valid applications for additional milk quota submitted on the grounds of hardship. Applicants recommended for approval by the Tribunal are allocated milk quota from the National Reserve, and the amounts involved can vary depending on individual circumstances. There is no overall fixed pool of quota assigned for allocation.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Dairy Equipment Scheme was suspended for new applications on 8 June 2011 as part of my decision to temporarily close the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) until the position in relation to the availability of funds for next year is clarified. As I indicated at the time, I could not defend a situation in which my Department continued to accept applications under schemes...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: My Department, in the context of delivering the Direct Payment Schemes, is required to carry out on-the-spot inspections on a number of farms covering such issues as eligibility under the Scheme, compliance with EU legislation in the areas of the environment, food safety, animal health and welfare and plant health and ensuring that the farm is maintained in good agricultural and environmental...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Jun 2011)

Simon Coveney: As processing of the 2011 applications under both the Single Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is in the early stages, the closing date for receipt of applications having been 16 May, with a facility for receipt of late applications up to and including 10 June, the position regarding penalties under these 2011 Schemes has not yet been established. Therefore, the 2010 Schemes...