Results 5,081-5,100 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Fish Stocks: Fish Stocks (14 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: In order to protect the reproductive potential of the crawfish stock, Council Regulation No. 850/98 sets a minimum landing size of 95mm. The Regulation allows Member States to take measures for the conservation and management of stocks that go beyond the minimum requirements set by the Regulation. When the minimum landing size for crawfish specified in the Regulation was reduced in 2001 in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS in January 2010 and received payments for the first year of their contract. 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, has to be completed before any payment can issue in respect of 2011. Following an inspection, a...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS in June 2008 and received payments for the first three 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 have now been completed and 75%...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 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 query...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (15 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The application in question is currently being examined by my Department to determine its suitability for afforestation and to ensure that the development is compatible with the protection of the environment. Because of its location adjacent to a designated conservation area, consultations have taken place with a number of public agencies, including the National Parks and Wildlife Service....

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: While the proposed changes to the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme await the response of the EU Commission, necessitated as the Scheme forms part of our Rural Development Programme 2007/2013, which is co-funded by the EU, the proposal relating to the eligibility of equines in the calculation of applicants' stocking density is prompted by the need to make the Scheme more focused. However, it is...

Written Answers — Agricultural Imports: Agricultural Imports (15 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The table below outlines Ireland's imports of horticultural and agricultural produce from Israel for the last three available years. Trade data for the year ending December 2011 will not be available until later this year. As CSO data is per country only, a regional breakdown from within Israel is not available. Agricultural Imports into Ireland from Israel Year Jan- Dec 2008 Jan- Dec 2009...

Written Answers — Fur Farming: Fur Farming (15 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Review Group set up in my Department to review fur farming in Ireland and make appropriate recommendations will conclude its report shortly. I will consider what action, if any, to take following the submission and conclusions of the Group's findings.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Grassland Sheep Scheme was received from the person named on the 11 May 2010. On processing this application it was found that a sheep census return had not been made under the herd number quoted; however, following investigation, it was established that the census return had been submitted under an associated herd number. This has allowed...

Written Answers — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (15 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: Preparation for Ireland's Presidency of the European Union is underway in my Department and significant progress has been made in setting out what our Presidency priorities will be. At a practical level the Government has taken a number of decisions with a view to putting in place an efficient and cost-effective Presidency. The Presidency is an important opportunity for Ireland to rebuild...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (15 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The information requested is being collated at present and will be forwarded to the Deputy directly.

Seanad: Food Wastage: Motion (15 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Senators concerned for tabling the motion. While I will circulate my script, I will depart from it to respond to the questions raised. Senator Feargal Quinn commented on the tragic irony of there being an obesity problem and gross waste of food in some parts of the world, while in others 300 children an hour die from malnutrition. There is a great deal we can do in this regard,...

Seanad: Food Wastage: Motion (15 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I will conclude.

Seanad: Food Wastage: Motion (15 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I appeal to Senator Quinn not put this motion to a vote as I would rather not have a vote on this issue. I do not know if the procedure is available for us to have a sos to see if we could change some of the wording in the motion and amalgamate it with some of the wording in ours to try to get agreement on that or whether the motion can be withdrawn on the assurance I have given during the...

Seanad: Food Wastage: Motion (15 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: What about septic tanks?

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (16 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: At the outset I would point out that this is an operational matter for the Teagasc Authority and the Deputy may wish to contact Teagasc directly for a more detailed reply. I am advised by Teagasc that 127 staff have already retired under the revised pension arrangements and a further 57 are expected to retire by the end February deadline. The total staff working in Teagasc on 1st January...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 5 May 2011, following processing of which dual claims were identified in respect of all five land parcels declared by the person named. Following correspondence with my Department, it emerged that the lands in question were leased by the other claimant from the person named for a twelve month period...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: Applications under the 2009 and 2010 Single Payment Schemes/Disadvantaged Areas Schemes were received from the person named on 30 April 2009 and 7 May 2010, respectively. Under the provisions of the governing EU Regulations, payments under these Schemes may be made only in respect of eligible land and applicants are obliged annually to only declare eligible lands available to them. While the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Agriculture Appeals Office received an appeal from the person named on 15th December 2011. The Department's file was received at this office on 24th January 2012 and the appeal was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 26th January 2012 for adjudication. Currently, the appeal is under consideration by the Appeals Officer and pending the availability of all parties concerned, arrangements...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS in February 2008 and received payments for the first three 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. These checks have now been completed and 75% of the Year 4...