Results 4,021-4,040 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Priority Questions (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: It is unfortunate that some Deputies were caught off guard in regard to Priority Questions. It was only agreed at a late stage last week that the Dáil would sit today. Sinn Féin Deputies have not had an opportunity to submit questions. If they or any other Deputies have specific questions they would like answered I will happily try to facilitate them verbally or through e-mail.

Milk Quota (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: To be fair to Deputy Moynihan, he has raised this issue with me repeatedly in the House and outside it. He has similar priorities to me. We both have a concern that the Irish dairy industry may be subject to super levy fines next year if we are not careful. Last year we narrowly avoided the imposition of fines. Many people made a lot of money last year by being over quota and we were lucky...

Milk Quota (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: Even if a deal was done on butterfat correction it would only give us 2% flexibility. We are still above that rate, even though farmers have cut back significantly. It does not solve our problem but eases it somewhat. Any solution should not reward people for being massively over quota. People who have been careful and planned responsibly for expansion to operate within the quota system...

Fishing Rights (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I have only in recent days become aware of issues in regard to pelagic draft net artisanal fishing in Inver Bay, County Donegal following a letter and supporting documentation submitted by a fisherman late last week. I am very supportive, in principle, of providing for the reintroduction of traditional fishing methods around the coast, subject to ensuring that such methods are in compliance...

Fishing Rights (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: We are trying to be constructive with regard to this matter. If we can facilitate fishermen who use traditional methods, particularly in respect of specific stocks which fall outside the TAC system, I would be extremely anxious to do so. Many restrictions are imposed on those involved in fishing in the context of effort, stocks, quotas and the tonnage that applies in respect of their boats....

Common Agricultural Policy (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: This question relates to the specific issue of the use of 2014 as a reference year for the new CAP proposals in respect of single farm payments. The Deputy will be aware that in advance of the publication of the European Commission's document on reform of the CAP, a great deal of concern was expressed to the effect that 2014 would be used as a reference year. That concern was realised when...

Common Agricultural Policy (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy makes a valid point. There is also a third group of people affected and this comprises those who have entered farming for the first time. I refer to those who are serious about active farming rather than those who are buying land in order to lease it out and obtain payment in respect of it in the medium term. The people in the third group to which I refer will not have an...

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan raised this matter with me on the previous occasion on which I was present for Question Time. I am of the view that the reply I intend to provide is much more complete than that which I delivered on the occasion in question. Applicants must declare all the land they farm in the particular year for the single payment scheme and the disadvantaged area scheme, be it...

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I read that legalistic answer so that it would be on the record for the Deputy, as he has asked for it several times. SACs have been in place since 1997. Raised bogs in such areas are protected. Ireland got a ten-year derogation from ending turf cutting on those raised bogs. Since 2007, we have been giving assurances to the European Commission that we will be consistent with the...

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: Is it not accurate?

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I am not going to get into the politics of throwing a charge against an individual.

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: Yes, I said Deputy Flanagan was inciting people. What is he doing now?

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I did not have to answer this question. This issue is not my Department's responsibility. I am trying to help Deputy Flanagan by answering this question and giving a better understanding of the connection between cross-compliance and turf cutting.

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I have asked the Deputy to be constructive in finding a solution for the 53 bogs affected and not to propose solutions that are not legally possible. The idea of re-designating large numbers of SACs-----

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: From my understanding, this will only raise expectations that will be impossible to deliver.

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: It is easy to quote someone like that.

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: There is a difference between me making a charge against a Deputy who can then defend himself immediately and the charge made by Deputy Flanagan against a colleague of mine who is not here to defend himself. This is not the first time Deputy Flanagan has done this to Deputy Feighan.

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: What did Deputy Flanagan just say?

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: Some people think they know it all.

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: Populism can be a dangerous thing, a Leas-Chathaoirligh.