Results 5,321-5,340 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Dáil]: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Yes. I will clarify it for the Senator but that is my understanding.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Dáil]: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I thank Senators for their co-operation on this Bill. It is good legislation, and I thank my staff who have worked tirelessly on it and undertaken consultation, in most of which I was not involved. When I was in the House previously, I mentioned that I would bring in an animal health and welfare Bill and we have decided to initiate that Bill in the Seanad, so I am looking forward to hearing...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: In my response to Question No. 219 from Deputy Calleary on 2 February, 2012, I stated that, in my view, the loss of or damage to gear caused by trawlers operating in Inver Bay in breach of Fisheries Bye-Law No. 7 of 16 February 1857 is most effectively dealt with as a civil matter between the parties involved, as the Bye-Law is effectively unenforceable given the very low level of penalty...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (14 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department is set to complete a significant reorganisation of local offices during 2012. The original reorganisation savings targets have substantially been met, involving the redeployment of some 400 staff from the Department's local offices without replacement. This has reduced operational costs by some €30 million annually. A strategic analysis of staffing levels in the local offices...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (14 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Under the provisions of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 the regulation of coursing is chiefly a matter for the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon, which is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry, greyhound racing and coursing. The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht,...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (14 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The afforestation schemes provide attractive grants and premiums to incentivise the planting of agricultural land by farmers and other landowners, to support the continued development of a viable and sustainable national forest resource. All applications submitted to my Department for approval to undertake afforestation are examined regarding the suitability of the site from a silvicultural,...

Written Answers — Poultry Industry: Poultry Industry (14 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Bord Bia already operates a Poultry Quality Assurance Scheme which makes a critically important contribution to the marketing and promotion of the product. I have recently received representations from the poultry industry seeking, inter alia, the introduction of a statutory levy with matching funding from the Exchequer to assist in the continued promotion of chicken. My Department is at...

Written Answers — Poultry Industry: Poultry Industry (14 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Poultry Welfare Scheme which was one of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes under the Rural Development Programme, 2007-2013, provided aid for investment required to meet welfare standards in relation to laying hens. The scheme is now closed. I have no plans at present to introduce grant-aid for broiler growers.

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (14 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Nitrates Regulations, which are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, require farmers to keep within the limit of 170 kg of organic nitrogen from livestock per hectare per year, or up to 250 kg per hectare if approved for a nitrates derogation by my Department. The continuation of this nitrates derogation is of critical importance...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (14 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the requirement that planning permission or a declaration of exemption must be submitted with all applications under the Dairy Equipment Scheme for external bulk milk tanks. Under this condition, it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that any building in which a milking machine or milk cooling equipment is installed in compliant with the...

Written Answers — Animal Identification: Animal Identification (14 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the documentary referred to by the Deputy. All equines must be identified in accordance with EU and national legislation whereby equines require a passport, a microchip which creates a link between the passport and the animal for all equines issued with a passport after 1 July 2009 for the first time and a unique equine life number which is recorded in the database of the...

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

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 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. These checks have been...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (14 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department is currently in the process of completing a nationwide comprehensive reorganisation of its Local Office Network. This process, when complete will involve the closure of 42 offices. We are currently well advanced in this programme. As offices close, they are handed back to OPW for other use or termination of leases. In general, all issues in relation to leases for Government...

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

Simon Coveney: The person named registered 51 animals under the 2010 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payment has been made for 33 of these animals. The necessary information relating to the required measures has not been submitted for three animals and therefore, payment cannot be made on the animals. Payment has not issued in respect of the remaining fifteen animals as they were not registered within the statutory...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (14 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: My overarching goal for Ireland's fishing industry is for a sustainable, profitable and self reliant industry that protects and enhances the social and economic fabric of rural coastal communities dependent on the seafood sector, while balancing these objectives with the need to deliver a sustainable and eco centred fisheries landscape for future generations. The proposal by the European...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (14 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is a strong proponent of a regionalised policy as part of the proposal for the new CFP. I am actively pursuing a policy for a more regional and holistic approach to management where responsibilities are clearly established under an overarching policy established by the Council and European Parliament. This would involve increased stakeholder involvement through the Regional...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (14 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The EU Commission proposal aims to establish a long-term plan for the conservation and management of the Western stock of Atlantic horse mackerel. The proposal was initially tabled by the EU Commission in early 2009. In drawing up the new plan stakeholders were consulted by the EU Commission through the Pelagic Regional Advisory Council, including Irish stakeholders. As had been in the case...

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

Simon Coveney: Under the 2011 Grassland Sheep Scheme, farmers were required to: · maintain ewes; · complete the Sheep Census return by 11 March 2011; · submit the SPS application form by the closing date of 16th May 2011. While an application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme and other area-based schemes was received from the person named on 12 May 2010, following validation it was found that...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (14 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: In January 2012, the EU Commission introduced a draft negotiating mandate for a new protocol for the EU Morocco Fisheries Agreement. The mandate sought to conclude a protocol which would oblige Morocco to comply with international law and to report regularly on its use of the funds for the population concerned, including the people of the Western Sahara. Following discussions, Ireland...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (15 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The precise nature of the report referred to by the Deputy is not clear. However, my Department's records indicate that a report entitled 'The Sea Trout Working Group 1994' was commissioned by the Department of the Marine, prepared by the Fisheries Research Centre and published in early 1995.