Results 5,201-5,220 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Food Exports: Food Exports (1 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: China is a key strategic market for Irish exports of food, seafood and beverages and presents significant opportunities for other exports. Exports of Irish food and beverages to China are estimated in 2011 at €215m, including exports of hides and skins. Exports of food and beverages alone have risen from €135m in 2010 to an estimated €180m in 2011. It is anticipated that further growth...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Mar 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 — Global Strategic Framework: Global Strategic Framework (1 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The first discussions on the Global Strategic Framework will be held at the FAO Regional Conferences. The European Regional Conference, which my Department will be attending, will take place in April in Baku, Azerbaijan and will be an opportunity for Ireland to feed into the process and to influence the consensus ERG position to be formulated. Ireland's submission will be prepared by my...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named has been informed in writing that he was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2011. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (1 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: There are currently 4 Commercial State Bodies (listed below) that fall under the aegis of my Department. Queries regarding the pension funds in these State Bodies should be addressed to the State Bodies themselves. 1. Bord na gCon 2. Coillte 3. Horse Racing Ireland 4. Irish National Stud

Milk Quota (6 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue which is indeed topical. During the past 12 months my Department and I have been active in raising the question of an adjustment to the milk quota regime at political, official and Commission level and have made determined efforts to secure a soft landing for all member states in the lead-up to milk quota abolition in 2015. I have discussed the...

Milk Quota (6 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I will finish on this point. Farmers must take responsibility for themselves in the meantime. At the end of 2011 they were just under quota, but there is a significant danger that if they produce as much milk in the first three months of this year as they did last year, they will be significantly over quota and super-levy fines will be applied at 28 cent a litre. This is a significant fine...

Milk Quota (6 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: That is exactly what the last Government signed up to.

Milk Quota (6 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I do not want to take a political view, but the milk health check was signed up to by the previous Government to achieve what the Deputy would like to see, a soft landing in the transition from a quota to a non-quota system. With the benefit of hindsight, it has not worked. It does not matter at this stage whose fault that is, we must change it and I will try to do that. The Deputy has...

Mackerel Fisheries (6 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. It will not come as news to him that this has caused me a great deal of concern. Mackerel is the most valuable fish stock for the Irish fishing fleet and prices for it are at an all time high, between €1,400 and €2,000 per tonne. After Scotland, Ireland has the second highest quota of mackerel to catch in the European Union in the waters...

Mackerel Fisheries (6 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: For the purposes of clarity, I would like to inform the House of what the proposed sanctions entail. The EU Commission has proposed a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council which would allow for the introduction of trade sanctions against third countries that engage in irresponsible or illegal fishing activities which may lead to the depletion of EU fish stocks. The...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (6 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: HSI is in receipt of an annual grant and funding under the National Development Plan 2007 – 2013 from my Department to assist its work in promoting and developing the non –thoroughbred horse industry, including breed improvement initiatives which apply to the Irish Draught Horse. The following table details the funding paid by my Department to Horse Sport Ireland in the years in...

Written Answers — Horse Racing Ireland: Horse Racing Ireland (6 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Horse Sport Ireland is approved by my Department, in accordance with the relevant EU and National Zootechnical legislation, to maintain studbooks for the Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught Horse breeds.

Written Answers — Horse Racing Ireland: Horse Racing Ireland (6 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Horse Sport Ireland is approved by my Department, in accordance with the relevant EU and National Zootechnical legislation, to maintain two studbooks.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (6 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person concerned submitted an application under the Dairy Equipment Scheme under the first tranche on 27 April, 2011. The application was approved into the scheme on 1 November 2011. The person named has submitted the payment claim and payment of the grant will take place when it has been determined that all the terms and conditions of the Scheme have been complied with. These checks...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (6 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The first discussions on the Global Strategic Framework will be held at the FAO Regional Conferences. The European Regional Conference, which my Department will be attending, will take place in April in Baku, Azerbaijan and will be an opportunity for Ireland to feed into the process and to influence the consensus ERG position to be formulated. Ireland's submission will be prepared by my...

Written Answers — Poultry Industry: Poultry Industry (6 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine does not keep records of mortality figures for factory farmed broilers. The majority of broilers are reared under contract to processors and these figures would be a matter between the grower and the processor. The table sets out the total number of birds slaughtered in export approved plants in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011. Year Total...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (6 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to the relevant EU Regulations in relation to inspection procedures and other issues. My Department's policy with regard to REPS inspections is that they are unannounced. This practice is provided for in the EU regulations.

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (6 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The proposed changes to the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, including the proposed changes relating to the calculation of the minimum stocking density requirements, are still the subject of discussions between my Department and the EU Commission.

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (6 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department is currently assessing all applications made for funding from the 2012 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Individual applications are being assessed in the context of the available exchequer funding and their overall priority ranking. I expect to be in a position to announce the detail of the programme in the near future.