Results 3,861-3,880 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Common Agricultural Policy Reform Proposals: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: Digitisation is a requirement. If and when we are audited by the European Commission, the last thing I want is to be fined or to have the money reduced because we have not done our job properly. We are dealing with the complexities of AEOS payments and we will continue to send out cheques as quickly as we can. I wish to dispel the myth that all payments are behind schedule. They are not.

Common Agricultural Policy Reform Proposals: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: They are not

Common Agricultural Policy Reform Proposals: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: In terms of the efficiency of payments, we are well ahead of most other European countries and are well ahead of our position at this time last year. I am being attacked by a fly, but that is beside the point. Perhaps he was sent down by some of the protestors.

Common Agricultural Policy Reform Proposals: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Healy referred to the sugar industry. I took a lot of sugar into the former factory in Mallow and I have a reasonably good practical and theoretical understanding of the industry. Nobody would like to see it re-emerge more than I would. However, I will not act on emotion. The industry needs to make sense commercially. The price of sugar internationally needs to remain at...

Common Agricultural Policy Reform Proposals: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: Of course.

Common Agricultural Policy Reform Proposals: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: At present, no. We have gone through both studies with a fine tooth comb in the Department. The figures stand up but the key issue is the impact on sugar prices when and if we get rid of quotas in the European Union, when Germany, France, Poland and Britain dramatically increase the volume of sugar they are producing. Personally I think it will not collapse, although there will be a...

Common Agricultural Policy Reform Proposals: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: The 7% eco-focus areas include hedgerows. There are more hedgerows in Ireland per square kilometre than in any other country in Europe and we can count hedgerows as part of the 7%. In real terms, it is much easier for Irish farmers to set aside that level of land than for many farmers on mainland Europe. From my perspective, however, the idea of setting aside any land that could be used to...

Common Agricultural Policy Reform Proposals: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: If there is agricultural activity the land will be eligible.

Common Agricultural Policy Reform Proposals: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: Commonage is eligible, because it is agricultural land. I do not see an issue there. Cross-compliance is the terminology used when agricultural payments are lost because rules regarding respect for special areas of conservation, SACs, or biodiversity are broken. I will come back to the Deputy with a proper answer on this, but it is my understanding that if a farm within an SAC blatantly...

Common Agricultural Policy Reform Proposals: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: In many ways, this is the most important debate of my period as Minister. To discuss the Commission's proposals is of significant importance. That is why I requested that we debate the proposals in the House rather than relying on press releases or PR spin. This is also why, this morning, I sent every Deputy a detailed analysis of the Commission document. I hope all Deputies received that...

Common Agricultural Policy Reform Proposals: Statements (13 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: It is hoped that people in this House will act responsibly during that debate. I can assure Members that I will listen to their arguments and will, when and where possible, try to facilitate them. I look forward to this House collectively ensuring that we do everything physically possible to ensure that by the time a deal is done, which is likely to be during the Irish presidency in the...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (13 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: As is clear, while the timing of all direct aid payments to farmers is crucial, it is the Single Farm Payment that is of most importance to farmers, given that it represents in excess of €1.2 billion of the €1.7 billion that is paid out in direct aid. The SFP forms a significant part of the annual income of all farmers in Ireland, in many cases is used to subsidise the running costs of...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (13 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: A Guidance Document for the use of Integrated Constructed Wetlands (ICWs) for farmyard soiled water and domestic waste water applications was published by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in December 2010. To complement this Guidance Document, my Department also published a Specification for ICWs for use on farms, in June 2011. Any ICW constructed and certified...

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

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2011 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the persons named on 10 May 2011. As the payment validation process on the application has recently been completed, payment will issue in the coming days.

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (13 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: The information sought by the Deputy is laid out in the following table. In each case the fee mentioned is an annual fee and travel and subsistence expenses are also paid at civil service rates. All vacancies are advertised on the Department's website. Name of State Body/Agency Appointments made since 9 March 2011 Remuneration/ Expenses Arrangements Other vacancies Nominees before...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (13 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: I assume the Deputy is referring to the minimum landing size for crawfish. Council Regulation 724/2001 requires a minimum landing size (MLS) of 95mm. National measures were introduced in 2001 through the Crawfish (Conservation of Stocks) Order 2001 (S.I. No. 322 of 2001) which set the MLS to 110mm for Irish fishermen so as to support the conservation of the stock which was under pressure...

Written Answers — Common Fisheries Policy: Common Fisheries Policy (13 Oct 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Commission Proposal on the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, COM (2011) 425 final was circulated by the European Commission on the 13th July 2011. The Common Fisheries Policy covers all fisheries and fish stocks and there would not be a basis for excluding inshore fisheries from the Policy. The CFP sets down the rules and regulations for the management and conservation of all fish...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Oct 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. Payment issues as soon as an application successfully passes these checks and to date, a total of 2,850 farmers have received 75% of...

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

Simon Coveney: In order to receive payment under the 2011 Disadvantaged Area Scheme, applicants were required to submit an application prior to the closing date, 16 May 2011. While records held by my Department indicate that a pre-printed 2011 SPS application form was sent to the person named on 29 March 2011, my Department has no record of receiving an application from the person named. All application...

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

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 18th April 2011. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility/Grassland Sheep Scheme Inspection. This inspection was initiated on the 7th of October and the results are now being processed. Under EU regulations governing the Disadvantaged...