Results 5,401-5,420 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — National College of Amenity Horticulture: National College of Amenity Horticulture (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: This is an operational matter for the Teagasc, a non commercial semi state body operating under the aegis of the Department. Ministerial responsibility is confined to matters of policy in accordance with the Act and the Minister does not interfere in the day to day operations of Teagasc. I understand that Teagasc has had a long standing relationship with the National Botanic Gardens through...

Written Answers — Ownership of Coillte Lands: Ownership of Coillte Lands (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: As recently announced by the Government, consideration will be given to the possible sale of some assets of Coillte excluding the sale of land. A valuation of Coillte assets is currently being undertaken by the NTMA (NewERA unit) in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. No decision on the possible sale of Coillte assets will be taken until the...

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the concerns currently being expressed by the pig production sector, particularly in relation to feed costs and the availability of credit. The pig sector remains the third largest individual component of the agrifood sector, with production, prices and exports all growing significantly during 2011. Notwithstanding this, high feed costs, most notably cereals and compound feed...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The European Commission's proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2014 to 2020 include a gradual move away from payments based on historical production towards a system of uniform national or regional payment rates by 2019. The mechanism proposed by the Commission raises serious concerns for Ireland. It would result in very significant transfers from more productive farms...

Written Answers — Teagasc Rationalisation Programme: Teagasc Rationalisation Programme (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: This is an operational matter for Teagasc, a non commercial semi state body operating under the aegis of my Department. Ministerial responsibility is confined to matters of policy in accordance with the Act and the Minister does not interfere in the day to day operations of Teagasc. I have been advised by Teagasc that the proposed closure of the Kinsealy Research Centre is part of a...

Written Answers — Fuel Costs: Fuel Costs (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The agrifood sector has performed very well in the last two years. Agrifood exports have increased by 25% in that time and now stand at almost €9bn. World food prices, including dairy and meat prices, have been high in recent years, and Irish farmers have benefitted from this. But of course there are also challenges. At farm level, volatility is always a risk factor. Farm incomes are...

Written Answers — Potato Industry: Potato Industry (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Whilst the area of potatoes planted has declined over the last 10 years, high yields in the past two seasons have seen production levels of over 400,000 tonnes, which has led to excess supplies and downward pressure on prices. This is coupled with the fact that per capita consumption has being declining on an annual basis. A key objective for this sector is to increase consumption of...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I would like, at the outset, to emphasise my commitment to the agri-environment schemes which put environmentally-friendly farming to the forefront and which recognise the vital role farmers play in delivering public goods for the benefit of all society. Both my own and the Government's commitment in this regard are highlighted by the fact that despite the financial pressures facing my...

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

Simon Coveney: Teagasc operates as a separate non-commercial semi state body under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with their own management structure and governing Authority. They develop their programmes, services and activities in accordance with Government policy and in conjunction with clients and partners overseen by an Authority that is representative of the main...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The decision to abolish milk quotas with effect from 1 April 2015 was made in the context of the CAP Health Check in 2008. Ireland strongly supported their abolition, on the basis that quotas were widely regarded by both the Irish dairy sector and market analysts as a brake on the potential of the Irish dairy sector to respond positively to market opportunities. As a result the supply...

Written Answers — Common Fisheries Policy: Common Fisheries Policy (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The sustainable exploitation of any renewable natural resource, means that the resource can be used indefinitely. Fisheries can be defined as sustainable, when they are conducted over the long term at an acceptable level of biological and economic productivity, without leading to ecological changes that exclude options for future generations. Under the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy,...

Written Answers — Agricultural College Places: Agricultural College Places (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: This is an operational matter for the Teagasc Authority. Under the Agriculture, (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988, Teagasc has statutory responsibility for the provision of education, research and advisory services to the Agriculture sector. It is a matter for Teagasc to prioritise activities in the delivery of these services and to allocate its resources in accordance with these...

Written Answers — Millennium Projects: Millennium Projects (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The mission of the People's Millennium Forests Project was to ensure that all future generations can enjoy the benefits of Ireland's native forests. One element of the Project was the issue of a certificate to each household. While each tree was planted for a household as stated, it did not confer legal ownership of the tree to that household. The context in which the trees were planted is...

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme /Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 16th May 2011. This application was selected for a Cross Compliance Inspection. During the course of the inspection irregularities were recorded in relation to the Identification and Registration of Cattle concerning the failure to adequately maintain a herd register, missing...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The information requested by the Deputy was issued to him in a letter dated Friday 16 March 2012.

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: This is an operational matter for Teagasc, a non-commercial semi state body operating under the aegis of my Department. Under the Agriculture, (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988, Teagasc has statutory responsibility for the provision of education, research and advisory services to the Agriculture sector. It is a matter for Teagasc to prioritise activities in the delivery of these...

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

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2010 and full payment totalling €608.11 issued in respect of 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...

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

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted an application for entitlements under Category B of the 2011 National Reserve. Category B caters for new entrants to farming who commenced farming since 15 May 2009. A New Entrant is defined as a farmer who did not pursue any agricultural activity in his/her own name or at his/her own risk in the five years immediately preceding the commencement of the new...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department's policy on sea lice controls is strictly evidence based. The control protocols are operated by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State and are more advanced that those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons: - the inspection regime is totally independent of the industry - data obtained as a result of inspections is published - treatment trigger levels...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (21 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.