Results 5,681-5,700 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Fisheries Sector: Fisheries Sector (2 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The operation of the Ice Plants is wholly a matter for BIM and hence the Dingle Ice Plant comes under the remit of BIM. BIM is an independent statutory body and hence policy in relation to the operation and management of the ice plants is a matter for the Agency. The Department, which has no function in relation to the operation of ice plants, has forwarded the request to BIM for its...

Written Answers — Live Exports: Live Exports (2 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: All trade with third countries is to be welcomed and my Department will continue to support and facilitate the veterinary health certification of the animals in question and to ensure that the EU rules in relation to welfare/transport requirements are complied with. This particular market is open to any Irish supplier who can satisfy market demands.

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (2 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: My understanding is that the named person is not in a position, for health reasons, to utilise his quota but is anxious to retain it for a number of years in order to provide his son with access to milk quota, should his son decide to become a dairy farmer. Under the Milk Quota Regulations, a person who is unable to supply milk for two consecutive quota years is entitled to retain his quota...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010 and full payment totalling €603.92 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...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (2 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: In order to prove farmer status the persons named must supply documentary evidence that at least 25% of their income was derived from farming for one of the 3 years prior to planting. An acceptable form of documentary evidence would be one of the following:a Revenue Commissioners Tax Assessment; TF1 income certificate completed by Teagasc; TF 2 income certificate completed by an agricultural...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Having had this matter investigated, it transpires that, due to a technical error, incomplete data was included on the pre-printed 2012 Single Payment Scheme application form which issued recently to the person named. I have had arrangements made to have a corrected version issued immediately.

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (2 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The background to these changes is that the main constraint to the eradication of TB, the presence of the disease in badgers, is now being addressed in a very effective manner and, if we want to progress towards eradication, we need to move on to address some of the other constraints such as the movement of high risk animals and animals from high risk herds. For these reasons, the Department...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (2 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Teagasc is a non-commercial state body under the aegis of my Department. Under the Act establishing Teagasc, it is charged with the provision of research, advice and education services in support of Ireland's agrifood industry. The manner in which these services are delivered is an operational matter for Teagasc. I understand that Teagasc offers an online service to all users who access its...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in August 2008 and received payments for the first three years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. Administrative checks in respect of 2011 have now been...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The period of payment under the afforestation schemes is 20 years for farmers and 15 years for non-farmers with a higher rate of premium payable to farmers. Eligibility for the different rates is determined by the applicant's farming status at the time of application. The appeal by the person named was received within the past fortnight and is being prepared for submission to the Appeals...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: There were 23,692 active participants in REPS 3 in January 2011. By the end of April 2011, 4,274 had completed their 5 year REPS contract. Those farmers who had exited REPS before 15 May 2011, including those referred to above, and who submitted a valid application were admitted into the Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS). The remaining 19,418 farmers that exited REPS 3 during the...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am actively considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-environmental Options Scheme to allow for the submission of applications either on an amended basis from the existing scheme and/or on a limited scale. Any decision on a new AEOS will be taken in the context of 2013 Estimate in order to remain within the agreed expenditure ceiling for 2013. I will be examining the possibility...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 has an overall value of €4.9 billion over a 7-year period of which €2.5 billion will be funded by the EU and €2.4 billion by the National Exchequer. Current expenditure under the Programme amounts to close on €3.2 billion, being 65% of its total value. While the Programme ends in 2013, spending may continue under certain schemes until the...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is currently undertaking a review of the Commonage Framework Plans. My Department is co-operating with the review which will revise permitted stocking levels based on the current condition of commonages. It is expected that the review will be completed by end of June. The revised stocking levels will form the basis of future sustainable...

Written Answers — Beef Exports: Beef Exports (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is no doubt aware that I announced last week that I understood that the Libyan authorities were about to lift their 16 year ban on the importation of beef from Ireland and other EU countries. In common with Agriculture Ministries from other Member States, I and my Department are now awaiting official confirmation from the Libyan authorities of the lifting of the ban. The Deputy...

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am aware that concerns have been raised with regard to welfare issues and sheep EID tagging and that the matter has been discussed by my officials with a number of farming organisations. The Deputy will also know that it is a matter I addressed in a statement recently. The Deputy should be aware that some 100 million sheep in the EU are all identified under the tagging regulation...

Written Answers — Calafoirt agus Céanna: Calafoirt agus Céanna (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Glacaim leis go bhfuil do cheist ag tagairt do pháirceáil ag Ionad Cuan Iascaigh Ros an Mhíl do mhuintir Árann. Ní mór do mo Roinnse gach Ionad Cuan Iascaigh a stiúradh ar bhealach seasmhach airgeadais agus níl aon oibleagáid ann páirceáil saor in aisce a chur ar fáil i Ros an Mhíl do mhuintir Árann. Thug mo Roinn faoi obair mhór uasghrádaithe ar shaoráidí páirceála i...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Our ocean is a national asset, supporting a diverse marine economy with vast potential to tap into the €1.200 billion global market for seafood, tourism, oil and gas, renewable energy and new applications for health, medicine and technology. In parallel, our ocean gives us many non commercial benefits for example, amenity, biodiversity and our mild climate. In Ireland, responsibility for...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: All applications under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme, including the Dairy Equipment Scheme, are being processed as quickly as possible in the department. Over 800 approvals to commence work have already issued to farmers under that Scheme. There was a very significant over-subscription for the grant-aid available under the tranche of funding under the Dairy Equipment Scheme...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Further to the reply to the Deputy's previous Question, I can again confirm that the changes referred to relate to the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the changes to the rules governing which have recently been published by my Department. I can also confirm that booklets outlining the Terms and Conditions of the 2012 Scheme are currently being printed and will shortly be posted to all...