Results 3,361-3,380 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: Thank you. This is my first opportunity to speak in this Chamber either as a Deputy or as a Minister. It is an honour to do that. The Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2011 now brought forward will transfer all foreshore functions under the Foreshore Acts 1933 to 2009 to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with the exception of the following: designated fishery harbour...

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

Simon Coveney: If not, I apologise. If the House wishes I will wait until we can get copies, otherwise I will continue.

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

Simon Coveney: I would concede that even though there is no obligation on me, it is a custom that should be followed and the Senator should have a copy of the speech I am making.

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

Simon Coveney: I know what it is like being in opposition and trying to follow a speech when one should have it in writing. I apologise for that. If my officials are listening perhaps we could arrange for a photocopy of my speech to be given to all Members as soon as possible.

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

Simon Coveney: Thank you. Balancing the impact of a development in one zone on the other zone is a major component of the impact assessment of any such projects. At a higher level is it also essential to align and integrate the strategic development plans for both zones, whether at sea or on land. While it is acknowledged that some elements of the Foreshore Acts, first enacted in 1933 and often amended,...

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

Simon Coveney: The administration of the foreshore under the Foreshore Acts generally involves two distinct components. First, the licensing of the activity or development on the foreshore is a regulatory role akin to the role of a planning department. Second, the vast majority of the foreshore is State-owned and managed on behalf of the Minister for Finance. Therefore, property management is a key role...

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

Simon Coveney: No, it does not.

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

Simon Coveney: There are approximately 90 under way.

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

Simon Coveney: I will address the questions raised as accurately as possible. If I miss any, Senators should feel free to interrupt me to seek clarity. I will first respond to Senator Ó Domhnaill, who comes from a constituency that has an enormous interest in fishing. In fact, the economic survival of many of the communities he represents is dependent on fishing and the development of the port...

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

Simon Coveney: I recognise this is not the ideal way to bring legislation through and, under normal circumstances, more time would be provided and consideration given to this. I acknowledge party spokespersons were offered a full briefing and given copies of the legislation last Monday. However, this is a short, technical Bill that does not require lengthy consideration or amendment and that is why I was...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (7 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...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in May 2009 and has received full payment in respect of year 1. A discrepancy relating to the LINNET and Orchard Supplementary measures under the REPS plan was discovered during a check between the applicant's Single Payment Scheme application and the REPS application. My officials are currently investigating this discrepancy and will in touch with the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in August 2009 and has received full payment in respect of year 1. The advance payment of 75% totalling €4,076.58 issued on 20 June 2011. Payment of the final 25% cannot be made until all outstanding checks are finalised and compliance with the scheme conditions has been fully established. Payment will issue at the earliest possible date once all checks...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (7 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: Since taking office, I have focused on developing and deepening our trade links and levels of cooperation with China, which is the world's fourth largest food importer and the fifth largest exporter of agriculture produce. With a population of 1.3 billion and with increasing urbanisation and affluence, China offers the Irish agri-food and fisheries sector enormous potential in the future and...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (7 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named retired on ill-health grounds and is in receipt of a pension under the Pension Scheme for Non Established State Employees. At retirement his pension was integrated with (i.e. reduced to take account of) the appropriate rate of Illness Benefit payable by the Department of Social Protection. Under the terms of the Pension Scheme, his occupational pension fell to be...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (7 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as planting for private landowners, is the responsibility of the company. Coillte has advised, however, that it will contact the persons concerned directly on this matter.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: My Department has received an application for approval from the company in question. Additional information is being sought from the applicant. In the meantime, the company remains under Local Authority approval and supervision.

Written Answers — Raw Milk Sales: Raw Milk Sales (12 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 — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2009 and received his full payment for year 1 in April 2010. The person named received 75% of the year 2 payment totalling €2,177.73 on 31 March 2011. Following an on-farm inspection, the person named was informed on 21 March that an overclaim of 0.19 ha will be applied to his REPS application. The REPS computer system is currently being revised...

Written Answers — Compensation Payments: Compensation Payments (12 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The EU Food Hygiene regulations place the primary responsibility for ensuring that food is safe for human consumption on food business operators (FBOs). Ducks and eggs infected by Salmonella Typhimurium are not fit for human consumption. Under Statutory Instrument No. 101 of 2008, the movement, sale or supply of poultry and/or eggs from affected premises is prohibited. My department does...