Results 4,621-4,640 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney
- Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: There is considerable evidence that badgers are responsible for the spread of bovine TB and that their removal results in a reduction in the incidence of the disease in cattle. I would refer the Deputy to a paper entitled Mycobacterium bovis Infection in the Eurasian Badger (Meles Meles): the Disease. Pathogenesis, Epidemiology and Control which was published in Science Direct earlier this...
- Written Answers — Agriculture Sector: Agriculture Sector (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 47 together. The taxation measures announced in Budget 2012 reflect this Government's commitment to the agri-food industry and in particular to the expansion planned in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. The measures announced have been designed specifically to: · Encourage farming as a career for young people · Incentivise farm partnerships and...
- Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: I am of course concerned that Ireland could be over quota in the 2011/2012 milk quota year. Favourable market and weather conditions during the 2010/2011 milk quota year contributed to a dramatic increase in milk production, which resulted in a remarkable turnaround from a position where the country was 10 per cent under quota at the end of the 2009/2010 milk quota year. These favourable...
- Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: The Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is a very important Scheme for the country, as the total area designated as disadvantaged is almost 75% of Ireland's total land area. From an economic perspective, the Scheme is particularly significant, contributing to the support of Irish farm families, whose ability to farm is restricted by the physical environment and, in particular, the impact of the...
- Written Answers — Agri-Food Industry: Agri-Food Industry (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: In the context of my engagement at North/South Ministerial Council I have made it clear that the implementation of the all-island Animal Health and Welfare Strategy is a necessary prerequisite to greater co-operation on the development of the agri-food sector. Progress is being made in this respect. The primary responsibility for the fostering of jobs on an all island basis lies with my...
- Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: Under Budget 2012 â¬10 million has been allocated for development of the seafood industry and â¬6 million for the Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme. This compares to â¬10.6 million for seafood development and â¬10.1 million for the Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme in 2011. In the present economic situation...
- Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: The Government will provide almost â¬112 million in funding for the forestry programme in 2012. The total amount of funding for forestry is the amount announced in the 2012 Estimates augmented by a carryover of Departmental savings of â¬27 million from 2011. This allocation reflects the Government's continued commitment to a sector which is important both in creating and maintaining...
- Written Answers — Agri-Food Industry: Agri-Food Industry (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: The taxation measures announced in Budget 2012 reflect this Government's priorities for the agri-food industry and in particular the expansion planned in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. The measures announced have been designed specifically to: · Encourage farming as a career for young people · Incentivise farm partnerships and greater productivity at farm level · Stimulate land...
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: Scientific advice shows that many stocks where Ireland has a quota are not in a healthy biological state and therefore are in need of urgent remedial action. I have consistently stated that wherever the available scientific advice indicates a need for a cut in TAC levels I will accept this measure. The Sustainability Impact Assessment on TACs and quotas for 2012, which I presented to the Dail...
- Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: Across the five non-commercial State Agencies that fall under the remit of my Department a wide range of initiatives are in progress aimed at improving organisational structures and securing greater levels of efficiency and cost effectiveness in programme delivery. All of the agencies have reduced staff numbers in recent years and under the Employment Control Framework, further staff...
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: Scientific advice shows that many stocks where Ireland has a quota are not in a healthy biological state and therefore are in need of urgent remedial action. I have consistently stated that wherever the available scientific advice indicates a need for a cut in TAC levels I will accept this measure. The Sustainability Impact Assessment on TACs and quotas for 2012, which I presented to the Dail...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: Under EU Regulations governing the Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS) 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. This administration check has been completed and payments under AEOS in respect of 2010 commenced in September. My Department is...
- Written Answers — Sugar Industry: Sugar Industry (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: In 2006, a temporary scheme for the restructuring of the sugar industry, was introduced by the EU Commission with the aim of reducing EU sugar production in order to comply with WTO and other international obligations. The scheme provided an incentive for sugar processors to renounce sugar quota and dismantle the associated sugar processing plant and it provided compensation for affected...
- Written Answers — Agri-Food Industry: Agri-Food Industry (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: The taxation measures announced in Budget 2012 reflect this Government's commitment to the agri-food industry and in particular to the expansion planned in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. The measures announced have been designed specifically to: · Encourage farming as a career for young people · Incentivise farm partnerships and greater productivity at farm level · Stimulate land...
- Written Answers — Common Fisheries Policy: Common Fisheries Policy (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the fisheries policy of the European Union which was first put in place in 1983 and has been subject to reviews every 10 years, the most recent was in 2002 and the next reform is scheduled for adoption in the latter half of 2012. The CFP is scheduled for adoption in the latter half of 2012. This is an ambitious target and there is a strong possibility...
- Written Answers — Agri-Food Industry: Agri-Food Industry (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: My Department is always fully supportive of all active farmers, particularly those in vulnerable areas. The taxation measures announced in Budget 2012 reflect this Government's commitment to the agri-food industry and in particular to the expansion planned in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. As the tax measures announced have been designed specifically to encourage farming as a career for...
- Written Answers — Agri-Food Industry: Agri-Food Industry (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: The taxation measures announced in Budget 2012 reflect this Government's commitment to the agri-food industry and in particular to the expansion planned in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. The measures announced have been designed specifically to: · Encourage farming as a career for young people · Incentivise farm partnerships and greater productivity at farm level · Stimulate land...
- Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: Research trials are not being conducted by Teagasc involving the conventional cultivation of genetically modified crops. Teagasc is, however, carrying out a contained use (in glasshouse) trial on a GM blight resistant potato as part of its research remit. During the period 1997 to 2000, field trials were carried out at a number of centres around the country to assess crop tolerance...
- Written Answers — Horticulture Sector: Horticulture Sector (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: Through the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector, my Department assists in the development of the horticulture sector, including beekeeping, by grant aiding capital investments in specialised plant and equipment as well as emerging technologies specific to commercial horticulture production. The main objectives of the scheme are to improve the...
- Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (14 Dec 2011)
Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together. The seas around Ireland (ICES Sub Areas VII and VI) contain some of the most productive and biologically sensitive areas in EU waters. Most of the fisheries resource within the area comes under the remit of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The 2011 fishing opportunities (Total Allowable Catches, TACs) for the international fleets...