Results 3,341-3,360 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (5 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in February 2009 and has received full payment in respect of year 1. My officials are currently examining this file in relation to a nitrates issue. The outstanding payment for 2010 cannot be processed until this examination is complete. My officials will be in touch with the person named as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (5 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named registered thirty one beef breed animals under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, the calves must be weaned in at least two groups for herds of more than ten suckler cows. This person named provided information that he had weaned all of the animals on the same day. Therefore, these animals were not eligible for payment under the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (5 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The reason for maintaining a ban on the sale of raw milk for human consumption is to protect public health. This is based on strong advice from both food safety and public health professionals. There have been very serious health issues associated with the drinking of raw milk in Ireland and in a number of other countries. The introduction of S.I. No. 910 of 2005 to implement the EU Food and...

Written Answers — Fishery Harbour Centres: Fishery Harbour Centres (5 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Business Plan for the development of the Fishery Harbour Centres was published in 2009 and has identified opportunities for the continued development of the Fishery Harbour Centres and the enhancement of the services provided. The business plan suggests a five year time-frame for the full implementation of its recommendations and I can confirm that my Department has and continues to be...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (5 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person concerned is an applicant under the Dairy Equipment Scheme and submitted an application for grant-aid prior to the temporary suspension of the scheme for new applications on 8 June 2011. These applications are currently being processed by my Department. The Deputy will be aware that it is a standard condition of all on-farm investment schemes that work must not have commenced...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (5 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in May 2009 and has received full payment in respect of years 1 and 2. 75% of the year 2 payment totalling €6274.43 issued on 27 June while the balance of 25% totalling €2091.47 issued on 30 June.

Written Answers — Tax Reliefs: Tax Reliefs (5 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: Section 104 of the Finance Act 2007 amended the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 to grant stamp duty relief where a farmer sells qualifying land and purchases qualifying land in order to consolidate his or her holding. To be eligible to claim the stamp duty relief, the sale and purchase of qualifying land(s) must occur within 18 months of each other and before 30 June 2011. Land sold and...

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (5 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Ministerial Management Advisory Committee provides me and Minister of State, Deputy Shane McEntee the opportunity to discuss with senior management the broad strategic and cross-cutting matters that affect my Department and the sectors for which we have responsibility. It is additional to the normal day to day direct contact with the Secretary General, senior management and other...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (5 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: A number of the Agencies listed by the Deputy do not fall under my Department's remit. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Food Safety Promotion Board and the Food Safety Consultative Council all fall under the remit of the Department of Health, while the Marine Casualty Investigation Board is the responsibility of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. As to the rest, the Animal...

Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (6 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." This Bill is being enacted for the benefit of all foreshore matters currently dealt with by my Department and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. It is bringing greater clarity to the operation of the existing administrative functions of the two Departments in this area. It is hoped this will facilitate the...

Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (6 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: I was not referring to the existing ones.

Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (6 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: Thanks.

Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (6 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: I thank everybody for his or her support. I acknowledge that this is not the ideal way to steer legislation through the House which normally would take more time. There would be a time period between the different Stages to allow Members to bring forward amendments and make suggestions for change, although this is amending legislation that is short and sharp and it is unlikely amendments...

Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (6 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: If Members have specific issues or concerns, they should put them to me, either in writing or verbally, and I will try to answer them. I thank everybody for his or her understanding of the way in which we have brought the Bill before the House and, obviously, for his or her support for it.

Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad] : Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: Yes, it is legally required. It is somewhat like An Bord Pleanála. It has been on ice in recent years because there has been no aquaculture licensing process, but we have kept the structure in place. Now that we will get live applications, the Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board, ALAB, will be in operation.

Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad] : Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The straight answer to the question is yes. In the past, we had no satisfactory system and, let us be honest, as a result there is a good deal of aquaculture activity out of licence at present. We must regularise it and this is why we are putting in place the process to make it happen. As a result of the case taken against Ireland, the Commission decided to require that we put in place a...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (6 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: There are a number of complex policy issues associated with the proposed management agreement which are under active examination by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and other Government Departments. This process is ongoing and every effort is being made to bring it to a conclusion as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (6 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: Under the terms of the Dairy Equipment Scheme, successful applicants will have two years from the date of issue of approval to complete the investment works concerned. The Deputy will be aware that it is a standard condition of all on-farm investment schemes that work must not have commenced prior to the issue of written approval by my Department.

Written Answers — Food Exports: Food Exports (6 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 141 together. As Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, I am committed to promoting quality Irish food. Ireland now exports food, drink and horticulture products to over 170 countries and Bord Bia, which is under my remit, has developed activities and services for companies focusing on the following strategic priorities: Promoting Ireland –...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (6 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: I am fully committed to promoting quality Irish food at every opportunity both at home and abroad through actions of my Department and those of the State Bodies which come under my remit. The Deputy will be aware of the constraints that are applicable under EU rules, in that public funds may not be used to advertise primarily on the basis of origin. In terms of developing new outlets, I am...