Results 3,761-3,780 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ministerial Responsibilities (6 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 18 together. The questions are about how the visit of Commissioner Maria Damanaki went when she visited this country several weeks ago. I thank the Commissioner for coming. I invited her to come several months ago. I also invited our Commissioner, Mrs. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn to visit. For Commissioner Damanaki's visit I had two purposes in mind;...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (6 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: The formal legislative proposals for the future of the CAP are due to be published by the Commission on 12 October next. The publication of the proposals will be followed by an intense and lengthy period of negotiation that is likely to fall for completion under the Irish Presidency of the EU. On 14 and 15 September last, I and my colleague Minister of State McEntee addressed this House...

Written Answers — Agricultural Colleges: Agricultural Colleges (6 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: Under the Agriculture, (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988, Teagasc has statutory responsibility for the provision of education, research and advisory services to the Agriculture sector. It is a matter for Teagasc and its Board to prioritise activities in the delivery of these services and to allocate its resources in accordance with these priorities. Accordingly, delivery of the...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (6 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: Although the detailed proposals from the Commission on the future of the CAP will not be published until next week, we know from the Commission communication, the EU budget proposals and public pronouncements provided by the Commission in policy debates that the Commission is pressing for a 30% mandatory "green" component in direct payments for additional agri-environmental measures beyond...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (6 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: An initial consultation process was launched with stakeholders by my Department in July 2009 to obtain views on what EU agriculture policies would serve Ireland and the EU best in the years to come. The responses received are helping to inform our position in the very important negotiations on the future of the CAP towards 2020. In 2010, a Consultative Committee on the CAP was set up by my...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (6 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: Since I was appointed Minister on 9 March last, I have had formal bilateral meetings with my French, UK, Spanish and Danish Ministerial colleagues. I have also taken the opportunity to meet formally with my Ministerial colleagues from the other Member States and the EU Commission at the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers meetings held in Brussels and Luxemburg and also at the Informal...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (6 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: The enforcement of country of origin labelling of food is the responsibility of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), a body under the aegis of the Minister for Health. The FSAI will have responsibility for the implementation of the Proposed Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers, covering most meats, which is...

Written Answers — Sale of State Assets: Sale of State Assets (6 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, Coillte was one of 28 commercial state bodies reviewed by the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities, chaired by Mr. Colm McCarthy, which reported in April 2011. There were three recommendations in the section dealing with Coillte, one of which was that the State should initiate the disposal of Coillte's forest and non-forest assets but not its forest land. My...

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

Simon Coveney: My Department continually evaluates the various livestock sectors in the context of markets and trade agreements. In particular, the Food Harvest 2020 report provides a roadmap for the various sectors over the coming decade. The strategies in the report were agreed by the sector and are being implemented. I recently produced a report called "Food Harvest 2020: Milestones for success",...

Written Answers — Agri-Food Sector: Agri-Food Sector (6 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: The agri-food sector is contributing to the country's economic recovery through its significant role in adding value to the economy and its contribution to the export led recovery. CSO data shows that Ireland's agri-food exports increased by 11% in 2010, reaching almost €8 billion. This sector is continuing to improve in 2011 with current figures showing a 14% improvement in the first six...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (6 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: Food production and labelling in the countries of the European Union operates in accordance with harmonised rules and member states controls are subject to audit and supervision by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the EU. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) under the aegis the Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety in Ireland. It...

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

Simon Coveney: The priorities for the implementation of the next phase of Food Harvest 2020 are set out in 'Milestones for Success'' which was produced last July and is available on the Department's website, www.agriculture.gov.ie. This, the first progress report for Food Harvest 2020, gives the pathway towards reaching the 2020 targets by setting interim milestones for 2013 and 2015 and deciding on the 41...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (6 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: My Department currently has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals only i.e. animals normally bred or kept for the production of food or for use in or for the purpose of farming. The relevant legislation in this area is the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act, 1984 and the European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations 2010,...

Written Answers — Seafood Industry: Seafood Industry (6 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: Food Harvest 2020 identified a potential to increase employment in the seafood industry from 11,000 to 14,000 by 2020, mostly in coastal communities. The Report also saw the potential to increase the value of the seafood sector from €700 million to €1 billion by 2020. The strategy set out in Food Harvest involves both the processing and aquaculture sectors. I am committed to continuing...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (6 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 40 together. The CAP debate has been ongoing since 2008 in preparation for the new Multi-annual Financial Framework for the EU budget from 2014 onwards. Policy debates on the future of the CAP have taken place at meetings of the EU Agriculture Council of Ministers and these have been augmented by a vast amount of informal discussion and analysis. A...

Written Answers — Land Reclamation: Land Reclamation (6 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: On Thursday 8 September 2011, I signed into law the European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Agriculture) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 456 of 2011) to address the findings of the European Court of Justice against Ireland in the manner that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive (85/337/EEC), as amended, was transposed into Irish law. This followed intensive...

Written Answers — Animal Protection: Animal Protection (6 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: The issue of catches of seabirds in long line fisheries is a cause of concern. I understand that the matter is being accessed by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES). I will examine any proposals from the EU Commission arising from advice received from ICES or other bodies. This form of fishery is not usually practised by the Irish fleet.

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (6 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: In relation to the funding of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, in common with all areas of Government spending, a comprehensive review is currently being undertaken, with a view to achieving the best balance between the recognised benefits of the Scheme, while working within the unprecedented financial constraints in which the country currently finds itself. In addition, there is an EU-wide...

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

Simon Coveney: My Department operates a number of grants and scheme payments for farmers. Funding for these schemes is provided by the Exchequer, the EU or a combination of both and all expenditure must be carried out in an appropriate manner that adheres to the principles of value for money and compliance with the regulatory requirements. Area-based schemes under the Rural Development Programme, 2007-13,...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 39 together. I consider that agriculture and the broader agri-food and fishing sector has the potential to play a significant role in this country's economic recovery. Specifically its capacity to assist the export-led recovery is illustrated by the CSO data which shows that Ireland's agri-food exports increased by 11% in 2010 over 2009 and have also...