Results 5,121-5,140 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I do not use a State car in the course of carrying out Ministerial functions. I have opted, instead, to use my private car. In so doing, I employ two civilian drivers at an annual salary of €32,965.00 each. In 2011, mileage costs amounting to €13,299 were incurred by me and subsistence amounting to €12,914, mainly in respect of overnight expenses, was paid to the two drivers....

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: No decisions have been taken by the Government in relation to the potential sale of Coillte. As advised by the Taoiseach last week, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is bringing a Memorandum to the Government in relation to the disposal of State Assets including Coillte. The large scale sale of Coillte land is not an option.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Feb 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, have to be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a...

Written Answers — Horse Racing Industry: Horse Racing Industry (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the issues raised by the person to whom the Deputy refers. There has been extensive contact between the individual concerned and officials from my Department. I have also written to this individual and I have explained to him the extent of my Departments responsibilities with regard to the welfare of horses in training and the options open to him should he wish to further...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The above named person established 57 single payment entitlements. An application was received requesting the transfer of these 57 Single Payment entitlements from the person named to another person by way of sale under the 2006 scheme year. Following the successful processing of this application, the person named no longer holds single payment entitlements.

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department, in the context of delivering the Direct Payments Schemes is required to carry out annual inspections covering land eligibility and cross compliance to ensure compliance with EU regulatory requirements. The value of these schemes to Irish farmers is €1.8bn annually. It is, therefore, incumbent on my Department to ensure that the regulatory control environment is...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I have had this matter investigated and am pleased to say that the processing of the application of the person named has now been completed, thereby allowing payment to issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named in the coming week.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The information requested is well outside the customary information sought from Board members either on appointment or as part of their annual corporate governance disclosures and as such is not readily to hand. There are currently 12 State Bodies (listed below) that fall under the aegis of my Department. As to the cost to the State the table below sets out the annual remuneration that...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to present the Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011 to the Seanad. I am glad to say that this Bill, which proposes to amend the Veterinary Practice Act 2005 in a number of areas in light of experience since its adoption, was well received in the Dáil and its passage through that House during the second half of last year was uncontentious. I look forward to the measure...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: It is being distributed now. Reflecting the fact that the Bill enjoyed support on all sides of the House, no Opposition amendment was tabled during its passage through the Dáil. However, arising from ongoing consideration within my Department and consultations between my Department and various stakeholders following publication, I proposed a total of 12 amendments by way of refining and...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: There is mutual recognition.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: We have done that.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I do not think so. It was a healthy animal.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: It was a healthy heifer.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I thank Senators for taking a keen interest in this legislation. I will try to answer some of their questions and reply to a number of comments. The point of this legislation is to enable the Minister to put the list of procedures together. We are debating the legalities involved. The list can be changed, but there will be ongoing consultation with stakeholders in that regard. Whether it...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: Senator Mooney raised the issue of the cost of medicines. I do not have any direct control over this. The main driver behind this legislation is the cost competitiveness of farming. It seeks to ensure that farmers do not need to pay vets to do things that farmers are more than qualified to do themselves. If there is any evidence to suggest there is some kind of cartel developing between...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: It is open to farmers, who are leasing or renting land to declare them in their annual application for the Single Payment Scheme, and if appropriate, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. In order to benefit from payment in respect of the leased/rented land, the farmer must be actively farming the land and it must form part of his or her farming enterprise. The land must meet all of the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 28 April 2011, following processing of which a dual claim were identified in respect one land parcel declared by the person named. Following correspondence with my Department, the person named declared he did not have the right to declare this parcel on his Single Payment Scheme. The application was then...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 10 May 2011, following processing of which, issues arose over the reference area of one of the land parcels declared by the person named. Following consultation with the person named and a subsequent field inspection, these issues have now been resolved. The application has now been fully processed, thereby...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Feb 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...