Results 5,061-5,080 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney
- Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: Slaughterhouses and meat processing plants operate under the approval and supervision of my Department, in accordance with the terms of EU Food Hygiene Regulations. My Department has approved 31 meat plants for the slaughter of bovine animals. Buffaloes are classified as bovine animals. The slaughter of buffaloes would be a matter for commercial decision by the meat plants concerned, but...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: There are currently 23 herd owners in Kildare awaiting payments under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme. The timing of the Single Farm Payment is of critical importance to farmers, given that it represents in excess of â¬1.2 billion of the â¬1.7 billion that is paid out annually in direct aid. The SFP forms a significant part of the annual income of all farmers in Ireland, in many cases it is...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS in July 2009 and received payments for the first two years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue in respect of 2011. These checks are currently being finalised out...
- Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: Total Allowable Catches (TAC) and quotas are set each year taking account of the scientific advice for each stock. On November 23 2011, I presented a Sustainability Impact Assessment of EU Commission Proposal on TACs and quotas for 2012 to the Dail. This assessment set out my strategy for the negotiation of Ireland's quotas. Following intensive negotiations at the December EU Fisheries...
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government committed to replacing the criminal sanctions system for minor fisheries offences with administrative sanction system to bring Ireland into line with other European jurisdictions. I sought the advice of the Attorney General on the matter. The Attorney General has responded with a detailed advice on the issue which I am currently examining. The advice highlights...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: My Department has re-engaged one retired Civil Servant on a contract basis since 25 October 2010 on foot of sanction received from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Remuneration of â¬101,468 has been paid to date and normal pension abatement rules apply.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 November 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, must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a query arose in...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 November 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, must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a query arose in...
- Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: In light of the judgment of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) against Ireland concerning non-compliance with the EU Habitats and Birds Directives, my overriding policy priority for the inshore sector continues to be to bring all inshore fisheries, and aquaculture, in Natura 2000 sites into full compliance with the EU Birds & Habitats Directives. As part of a major project involving my...
- Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 580 to 582, inclusive, together. The European Commission has introduced an enabling provision in the rural development legislation allowing certain Member States, experiencing budgetary constraints, to draw down existing allocated EAFRD funds up to a maximum rate of 85% under their Rural Development Programmes during 2012 and 2013 if they continue to...
- Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme, 2007-2013, and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before the 75% payment can issue. The remaining 25% may only be paid when all the required on-the-spot inspections have been completed. REPS 4 applications take the form of an agri-environment plan which...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: This person named was the subject of a Satellite inspection in 2010 which resulted in a penalty of between 3 and 20 percent arising from a determined over-declaration of eligible land. As a result the person named submitted an application in 2011 which reflected the determined area in 2010. In response to Parliamentary Question 32674/11 on 3rd November, I confirmed that the person named was...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available and will take some time to collate. Available information will be provided as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: The closing date for receipt of Organic Farming Scheme applications was 16 May, 2011. There is no record of any application form received by my Department for the Organic Farming Scheme from the person named.
- Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: The funding of all Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS), including the Dairy Equipment Scheme, is kept under constant review in order to ensure that optimum use is made of the financial allocation provided for such Schemes. However, I have no plans at present to alter the level of funding which has been made available for the Scheme.
- Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: The Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, which is co-funded by the EU, is an integral part of Ireland's Rural Development Plan, 2007/2013, and as such, any proposed change to Scheme criteria requires the agreement of the EU Commission. In this regard, therefore, the changes announced in the context of the recent Budget are under discussion with the EU Commission and the Commission's response is...
- Written Answers — State Assets: State Assets (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: No decision has been taken by the Government in relation to the potential sale of Coillte. To assist in its examination of options for the possible disposal of State assets, the Government requested the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in consultation with relevant line Departments and NewERA, to consider a number of possible State assets for disposal. In addition, they will...
- Written Answers — Fishing Industry: Fishing Industry (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 590 and 591 together. The Marine Institute provide me with scientific advice to inform policy decisions. It annually publishes scientific papers including the Stock Book which details for fisheries of interest to Irish fishermen scientific advice on a stock by stock basis. The design, management and execution of specific research surveys and data collection...
- Written Answers — Fishery and Aquaculture Products: Fishery and Aquaculture Products (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: Under the umbrella of the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) the European Commission have proposed a new regulation " of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Common Organisation of the Markets in Fishery and Aquaculture Products". The proposal to revise the Common Organisation of the Markets (CMO) for fishery and aquaculture products follows a very lengthy...
- Written Answers — Fishery and Aquaculture Products: Fishery and Aquaculture Products (14 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: EU is increasingly dependent on imports of fish and fishery products to meet its needs. In 2009, the EU imported â¬15.5 billion worth of fish and fishery products, accounting for more than 60% of it fish consumption. Europe exported â¬2.5 billion worth of fisheries goods in 2009, the bulk of it to large markets like Norway, Russia and Japan. Total aquaculture production in the EU is around...