Results 4,841-4,860 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, had to be completed before any payment could issue. During these checks a...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2009 and received payments for the first two years of the contract period. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and accordingly is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. The administrative checks in respect of 2011...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 4th May 2011. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility/Cross Compliance Inspection. In the vast majority of inspected cases, including this case, amendments have had to be made to the maps in order that the Land Parcel Identification System...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: As indicated in my reply to previous Parliamentary Questions regarding this matter, the grant of a foreshore lease to Mayo County Council for the construction of a slipway at Kilcummin Pier, Killala, Co Mayo received Ministerial approval on 17 June 2010. The Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO) was requested to draft the lease documentation. My Department is maintaining ongoing contact...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st December 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, had to be completed before any payment could issue. During these checks a...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: I do not have a script because I hoped this would be a question and answer session which Senators could get as much out of as possible, in terms of getting the information they are looking for. I will try to keep my contribution as brief as I can. We will spend the first hour on agriculture and the next on fishing. One session can eat into the other if that is appropriate; I am in the...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: That was in dairy.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Senator should not put words in my mouth. I will define what I mean by "hobby farmer".

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am happy to take questions.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Senator did say that.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am anxious to answer as many of the questions as I can, so I will try to be quick. If there are some detailed questions I cannot answer, I will correspond by e-mail with the Senators. First, I want to clarify a number of things about the new eligibility criteria for disadvantaged area payments. It is important that people know what we are talking about here, because there seems to be a...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: Actually Cork would probably not do so well. Cork is a county which reflects the country in many ways because it has disadvantaged areas as well as very productive areas. It is an interesting case study. We have made a clear case to the Commissioner that what he proposes would not work in Ireland and we must come up with a way to limit the redistribution so it does not damage our...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: We will not need as much time to discuss fishing.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: I will try to give some direct answers to direct questions after that rant.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Senator. I hope I have clarified the issues on disadvantaged area payments, commonage and new eligibility. A number of Senators have asked about the agri-environment options scheme, AEOS. To be absolutely clear I would love to be able to introduce a new REPS that would be generous and encourage environmental and sustainable farming but I cannot afford to do so. We do not have...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: I agree with Senator White on the role of women in farming. I made a point of speaking at the women in farming conference organised by the IFA last year. To be perfectly honest it was a fantastic conference and a very good experience and I got much good feedback from it. All of the research on women's involvement in the running of a farm business shows if two business partners - a man and...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: It is not my job to lean on organisations.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: And the Senator has raised the issue. Unfairly, I have got a bit of stick about the advisory group on horse racing. No one on that committee is paid anything, be it expenses for mileage or so on. Its members are entirely voluntary and we meet every second month or so. I put the advisory group in place because horse racing was one of the areas in my portfolio about which I was not...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: Could I have another two minutes?

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: A number of specific questions were asked. So everyone can have it, I will send an e-mail about the Irish position. We will be able to find an acceptable compromise. In April I will visit China, which is an important market for us. My counterpart has visited Ireland and we signed a memorandum of understanding on new trade and investment opportunities, which are progressing. Our...