Results 3,401-3,420 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Flower Sector: Flower Sector (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The flower sector could potentially include a number of very different areas of production including bulbs, wildflowers, annuals or biennial flowers. It could also be extended into ornamental nursery stock. Each of these areas has very different propagation and production techniques requiring very different approaches in equipment and facilities. Bord Bia has recently published an Amenity...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The public consultation on the Fisheries Natura Plan and Appropriate Assessment of mussel seed fishing within Castlemaine Harbour was completed on 6 June 2011. Under the European Communities (Habitats and Birds) (Sea-fisheries) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 346 of 2009), the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is a statutory consultee, stemming from his remit as competent authority for...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: Funding for capital works at my Departments six Fishery Harbour Centres is provided on an annual basis under the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. In 2011, €1,195,000 has been allocated to Howth Fishery Harbour Centre under the Programme. The following is a summary of the monies allocated: Safety & Maintenance €250,000 Disability Access €20,000...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165, 166, 168 and 169 together. Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is one of six Fishery Harbour Centres (FHC) for which my Department is responsible. I am conscious of the unique and valuable contribution Howth FHC has to make both to the fishing industry and the wider economic environment. Notwithstanding the prevailing economic environment in which we operate,...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The removal of decommissioned vessels from Howth Fishery Harbour Centres is an ongoing process and is constantly monitored by my Department. The owners of such vessels have been requested by the Harbour Master to remove them from the harbour. The Harbour Master is currently in the process of arranging for the removal and disposal of vessels where the co-operation of the owner has not been...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2010 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 13 April 2010. During validation of the application, an over-claim was established in respect of one land parcel declared by the applicant. My Department wrote to the applicant on 10 September 2010 informing him of the over-claim and my Department's decision was accepted on 23...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: Given the major role of the EU in establishing the policy framework for Irish agricultural policy, significant numbers of staff in various line divisions of my Department are engaged with EU policy matters on an ongoing basis. These include officers in all policy areas of the Department, in the animal, plant and public health areas and in the operational divisions of the Department dealing...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The appointment of an independent Certifying Body to annually certify the Department's European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) accounts is required under EU Regulations. Following an open tender, Deloitte were appointed as Certifying Body for this Department for the period 2010-2013. My Department employs contracting computer...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The moratorium on recruitment in the public service remains in place in line with commitments made in the National Recovery Plan and the Programme for Government to reduce public service numbers by 2015. Any exceptions to the moratorium can only be considered in very limited circumstances in respect of mission critical posts and in full compliance with annual ceilings on staff numbers. In...

Written Answers — Third Level Courses: Third Level Courses (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: Following consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have agreed to prioritise six new contract teaching posts in the Agricultural Colleges for a three year period as an exception to the moratorium. I expect that this exceptional approval of new posts will be matched by further initiatives by Teagasc to devote more resources to the Agricultural Colleges including...

Written Answers — Irish Horseracing Industry: Irish Horseracing Industry (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The horse racing industry received €47.4m in financial support from the State in 2010 through funding provided to Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) via the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. HRI is a commercial State company, established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001. HRI has a regulatory and developmental role in the thoroughbred industry. The functions of HRI are defined in The...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: I appointed Philip Meaney chairman of Bord na gCon on 12th April 2011, pursuant to Section 8 of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, after consultation with the Minister for Finance. This is the only appointment I made, since taking office, to any of the State Bodies that come within the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: 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 in the scheme in respect of the first year will commence in August and that payments in...

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together. A herd number is an administrative arrangement under the disease eradication schemes and does not denote ownership of stock or lands. Thus the person in whose name the herd number is registered, being the (nominated) keeper of the animals, may or may not be the legal owner of the animals held under that herd number or the holding where...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: It is not possible to provide this information in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not employ external public relations companies and has not for the years in question. Public relations advice, where required is provided by my Department's Press Office. It is not possible to provide costs for this service, as the work is carried out as part of the standard duties of the staff involved.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: It is not possible to provide this information in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: My Department part funds the secondment of a full time officer from this Department to the position of Branch Secretary with IMPACT. The cost of funding this secondment for the last 10 years (2001 – 2010 inclusive) was €127, 585. Also, during the past ten years a total of €14,254,152 was paid to unions/staff associations in respect of subscriptions deducted from staff pay on my...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (19 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: Under the EU regulation governing the most deprived scheme products supplied under the scheme have to be from the same food grouping as those products that are stored in Intervention. Ireland had butter and skimmed milk powder in intervention storage in 2010 and so product supplied under the scheme would have to be from the dairy grouping. One company responded to the EU tender for the...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (19 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The legal requirements for notification and consultation for felling licences are governed by the Forestry Act 1946 and related Regulations. Under Section 37 of the Forestry Act 1946, a notice of intention to uproot or cut down a tree must be given to the Sergeant-in-Charge of the Garda Síochána Station nearest to the tree to be felled. The felling notice, otherwise known as a Limited...