Results 5,561-5,580 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The practice of hormone injection of sows in order to bring forward the cycle of the sow is not common throughout the pig industry. These treatments, when used, are an aid to fertility, and as such do not give rise to any ethical or welfare issues. Furthermore, the increased cost of hormone treatment has resulted in a decline in such treatments.

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: Food produced in Ireland is farmed to the highest standards and in compliance with all relevant EU Public Health and Animal Health and Welfare regulations. As an essential component of a Single European Market, the development of objective definitions around methods of production at farm level and the relevant labelling requirements takes place at EU level. There are a number of regulations...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: Under EU Regulations governing the Direct Payment Schemes my Department is required to recover any monies resulting from the application of reductions and/or penalties. My Department is obliged to recover the amount from either the payment due for the calendar year of application or from payments due in future calendar years if not already repaid in full by the applicant. Where an...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted an application for grant-aid under the Sheep Fencing/Mobile Handling Equipment Scheme and received approval to commence the investment works concerned on 12 April 2012. Payment of grant-aid will be processed when the project has been completed and a documented claim has submitted to my Department.

Written Answers — Poultry Industry: Poultry Industry (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1108 to 1110, inclusive, together. Poultry egg production is a small but important component of the Irish agri-food sector. Output is valued at approximately €30 million. Unlike most sectors, the egg sector is largely domestically focussed with competition from imports an ongoing issue. Approximately 85% of eggs consumed in Ireland are produced...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: Eligibility under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is established, inter alia , by satisfying the requirement as to minimum stocking density of an applicant's holding. Those farmers for whom sheep contribute in whole or in part to satisfying this requirement are obliged annually to submit an appropriately completed Sheep Census return to my Department. The Census provides for a number of...

Written Answers — Sugar Industry: Sugar Industry (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: As part of the reform of the EU Sugar Regime in 2006, a temporary restructuring scheme was introduced with the aim of reducing EU sugar production to comply with WTO and other international obligations. The Scheme was negotiated and agreed by the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers in the latter part of 2005 and resulted in the formal adoption by Ministers of the EU Council Regulation (EC) No...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: Applications under the 2010 and 2011 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Schemes were received from the person named on 14 May 2010 and 16 May 2011 respectively. On completion of processing, full payment issued to the person named for the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme 2010 and 2011 on 24 February 2011 and 21 September 2011 respectively. In accordance with the provisions of Article 28 1(a) of...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The application by the person named is currently with the Forestry Inspectorate to establish the precise area on which payment is being claimed. As soon as these enquiries are complete, the application will be determined and the relevant payment made.

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not maintain a statutory vermin list for any class of animal. I understand that the National Association of Regional Game Councils maintain records of all pest species. Under the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which I will be publishing shortly, cats living in the wild will receive the same protection from cruelty as any other wild animal. Cats owned as pets, or otherwise,...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department has introduced a number of changes recently into the bovine TB eradication scheme with a view to confining TB to the area/herd where it is first disclosed and to protect herdowners with clear herds from buying in infected animals. These measures were explained to and discussed with the farming organisations prior to their introduction. It has long been recognised and research...

Written Answers — Agri-environmental Options Scheme: Agri-environmental Options Scheme (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am currently considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-environmental Options Scheme on an amended basis or limited scale in 2012. The full year cost of any new scheme will arise on the 2013 Estimate for my Department and accordingly, the decision will be taken in the context of my Department's expenditure ceiling for 2013 as agreed by the Government, and in particular, on how a new...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2010 Grassland Sheep Scheme was received from the person named on the 15 May 2010. The payment which issued to the applicant was based, in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, on the 2009 Sheep Census, which indicated that the person named had two hundred breeding ewes in his flock. In respect of the 2011 Grassland Sheep Scheme, as my Department has...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person concerned submitted an application for grant-aid under the Dairy Equipment Scheme during the course of the tranche under that Scheme which closed on 31 January 2012. The tranche concerned was heavily over-subscribed and the applications are currently being processed with a view to issuing approvals as soon as possible. The person named will be notified of the outcome in writing.

Written Answers — Circus Animals: Circus Animals (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The movement of circuses within the EU is governed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1739/2005 of 21 October 2005 which lays down animal health requirements for the movement of circus animals and animal acts between EU Member States. In order to help prevent the spread of animal disease, before moving to any other Member State, all circuses with animals and all animal acts must be registered...

Written Answers — Íocaíochtaí Deontas: Íocaíochtaí Deontas (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: An 1 Iúil 2006 a thosaigh an duine ainmnithe le REPS 3 agus fuair íocaíocht iomlán don chéad dhá bhliain dá chonradh. Fuarthas amach le linn seiceáil riaracháin go raibh neamhréireacht ó thaobh limistéir idir na tailte a dearbhaíodh do SPS agus REPS agus an litir a eisíodh chuig an duine ainmnithe an 24 Lúnasa 2010 ag iarraidh mínithe ar an neamhréireacht. Ní bhfuarthas...

Written Answers — Parliamentary Questions: Parliamentary Questions (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department has answered, in full, 704 written Parliamentary Questions during this period. Of these 130 were issues that related to personal matters and 13 included in the reply an indication that the information would be sent directly to the Deputy concerned.

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for the licensing, where appropriate, of aquaculture activity including the cultivation of oysters. Such licences specify the area of activity covered by the licence. The gathering of wild oysters is licensed, where appropriate, by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. My Department is advised by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority,...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: In response to the Deputy's question, I have detailed below the information requested in respect of Special Advisors employed in my Department since 9th March 2011. Name Title Salary p.a. Fergal LeamyEmployed: 11/4/2011 – 9/9/2011 Special Advisor to Minister Coveney €130,000 Aine Kilroy from 18/4/2011 Special Advisor to Minister Coveney €80,051 Ross MacMathuna from 16/01/2012...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: In response to the Deputy's question, I have detailed below the Special Advisers that have been/are employed in my Department for which a salary increase was requested, based on the substantially higher salaries each earned in the private sector. The salaries were approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Name Title Salary Fergal Leamy from 11/4/2011 to 9/9/2011...