Results 4,041-4,060 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I said it to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: On Deputy Durkan's question-----

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: Go on and walk out in protest. Good man.

Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: Off you go.

Common Agricultural Policy (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: Food security in the European Union is the essence of what the new Common Agricultural Policy is about. Growing populations and increasing demand for protein-based foods, which is what we predominantly produce in Ireland through the dairy and meat industries, present a significant opportunity not only to continue, as the EU has been, to promote a sustainable way of producing food from an...

Common Agricultural Policy (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: In regard to food security within the European Union and the need to protect our capacity to produce large volumes of high-quality food in this country, there are potential threats in the context of WTO negotiations and other bilateral trade agreements which are currently on the table. For example, Mercosur, the South American trade bloc of which Brazil and Argentina are the two largest...

Common Agricultural Policy (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I share the Deputy's concern in regard to the suckler cow herd. As the excitement grows in advance of 2015 regarding the potential of the dairy industry, there is a danger, if we are not careful, that in parts of the country where dairy has real potential the beef herd could become a by-product of the dairy herd, which is not at all what we want. Currently, half of the beef sold out of...

Agricultural Development (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: This ties in with the previous question where Deputy Durkan raised the issue of how agriculture can be a driver for economic growth within the Irish economy. On assuming office, I stated clearly that as far as I am concerned, my Department is a major economic Ministry. It can and will provide a major good news story in terms of job creation, wealth creation and economic growth in the next...

Agricultural Development (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is correct - there is no point in having broad aspirations about growth. That is why anybody interested in the agrifood sector should read the Food Harvest 2020 document, which is a very easy read. It is specific in the targets. It is not specific on employment because it is very difficult to calculate direct employment creation in a number of these sectors. It is easier to...

Agricultural Development (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: It is both. I do not have exact figures on the breakdown. However, the average price for beef, for example, is 15% to 18% higher than the average price last year. Even though the tonnage of beef exported has reduced slightly, the value has increased because of prices. In the case of beef it is more about an increase in the price of beef rather than an increase in volume. However, in...

Agricultural Development (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I have some figures to hand. In the first six months of 2011, exports of pigmeat reached 84,000 tonnes, an increase 23% on last year. Lamb prices are approximately 10% higher than at this time last year and demand across key export markets is strengthening and medium-term forecast is good. Sheep supplies to date in 2011 are running 1% higher than last year. I already gave the figures for...

Agricultural Development (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: The dairy figure is very significant and makes up most of the growth we are discussing.

Control of Noxious Weeds (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together. The Noxious Weeds Act 1936 provides for the control of the spread of six noxious weeds, namely, thistle, ragwort, dock, common barberry, male wild hop plant and the wild oat. Under the Act, it is an offence not to prevent the spread of these noxious weeds. The owner, occupier, user or managers of lands on which these weeds are present are...

Control of Noxious Weeds (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy's point is, to a certain extent, fair. While I will look at this issue again, I am keen on implementing the existing legislation rather than introducing a whole new set of regulations or primary legislation. A fine of €1,000, if enforced, will change habits. Dealing with the local authorities will, however, be more difficult because they are an arm of the State. Cutbacks in...

Dairy Sector (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. However, I am not sure what, in the context of development of a regionally balanced dairy sector, he is looking for from me. I assume his question relates to the position post-2015, preparations being made in that regard in the context of the absence of dairy quota and a dramatic expansion of the dairy industry and how we ensure that expansion will...

Dairy Sector (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy has made a number of relevant points. On farm scale and consolidation, he is correct that farm consolidation relief ran out at the end of June. I have already submitted a package of taxation measures to the Department of Finance which it is hoped will be approved in advance of the budget. Through that package I am trying to achieve a number of things, the first of which is to...

Dairy Sector (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I would like to finish my point. I understand there are not too many questions remaining. As such, we are not restricted in terms of time.

Dairy Sector (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: In trying to achieve economies of scale for farmers on small holdings we want to encourage farm partnerships, not alone partnerships within families but partnerships between neighbours in order that there will be a collective approach towards purchasing or leasing machinery, fertilisers, sprays and so on. Ultimately, we want to see facilities such as dairy parlours being shared to ensure...

Dairy Sector (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: There is a series of items into which farmers with small holdings could buy to help them to become more efficient and thus reduce the cost of their inputs.

Dairy Sector (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: Yes.