Results 5,721-5,740 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 May 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 1 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 — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (8 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that the same provisions govern my Department's assessment of whether applicants under the Single Payment Scheme, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, and Agri-Environment Schemes such as REPS and AEOS are operating separate holdings. The factors that are taken into account when examining whether an applicant under one or more of the above-mentioned Schemes is operating a separate...

Written Answers — State Banking Sector: State Banking Sector (8 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not had any contracts with the named companies. Contracts between the State Bodies under my Department's aegis and these particular companies would be an operational matter for the bodies themselves.

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (9 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Charges for the use of facilities at each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres are currently levied by virtue of the Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates & Charges) Order 2003. My Department has however recently conducted a review of the 2003 Order and a draft new Rates & Charges Order, the first proposed changes to the fee schedule for almost a decade, has been prepared on foot of that review. ...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was closed to new applications on 14 October 2008 as part of the decisions taken in the context of the 2009 Budget. Accordingly, grant applications which were received under the Scheme after that date were not processed by my Department on the basis of strict compliance with the terms of the decision. In the two cases in...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (9 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (9 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: A Solicitor in my Department is in contact with the firm of Solicitors mentioned in the details in relation to the matter raised.

Written Answers — Employment Action Plan: Employment Action Plan (9 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The 2012 Action Plan for Jobs sets out a range of actions which will be progressed throughout 2012; the first quarter progress report was produced last month. One of the actions relevant to my Department is to implement the incentives and measures to improve skills, farm structures and scale set out in Budget 2012. In relation to upskilling at farm level, the main drivers are the Dairy...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (9 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application by Bord Iascaigh Mhara for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay was received by my Department on 13th April. The application is currently being assessed by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act.

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (9 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The background to the changes which I introduced earlier this year is that, now that the main constraint to the eradication of TB, the presence of the disease in badgers, is being addressed in a very effective manner, 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. Accordingly, my Department is paying...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (9 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 and, in particular, the possibility of re-opening for applications later in the year with a possible closing date for applications of end September and a commencement date for new...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (9 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: In very broad terms, the challenge for the current round of CAP reform is to deliver, in good time, a Common Agricultural Policy that is fit for purpose, that is coherent with the Europe 2020 strategy for recovery and growth, and that supports the twin goals of competitiveness and sustainability. These requirements in turn create further challenges in the form of crucial questions about how...

Written Answers — Departmental Inspections: Departmental Inspections (9 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department, in the context of delivering the Direct Payment Schemes, is required to carry out on-the-spot inspections on a number of farms covering such issues as eligibility, compliance with EU legislation in the areas of the environment, food safety, animal health and welfare and plant health and ensuring that the farm is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition. A...

Written Answers — Business Regulation: Business Regulation (9 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The review of procedures used in the investigation of a business in County Kilkenny is nearing completion. A separate file is being prepared in regard to the investigation of the business in question.

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (9 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The People's Millennium Forests Project was a flagship Millennium project sponsored by the National Millennium Committee and AIB and managed by Coillte in association with Woodlands of Ireland. There were 16 sites involved in Peoples Millennium Forest Project, 14 of which are in the Republic of Ireland and two in Northern Ireland. I am aware that 12 of the 16 sites form part of the Coillte...

Farm Safety (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this issue and this is not the first time we have discussed it because it is a continuing source of real concern. Farming remains the most dangerous occupation in Ireland. Last year saw a total of 22 farm-related fatalities and 6,673 reported non-fatal injuries. These injuries and fatalities are caused in a number of ways in particular with the use of...

Farm Safety (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I will consider the Deputy's suggestion. However, I am not convinced it will be as easy as simply taking responsibility away from the Health and Safety Authority because that body has responsibility for safety in the workplace generally and it has experience in this regard. The problem with farms is that they are a workplace but they are also a home, a playground, a place where family...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I want to re-emphasise my commitment to the agri-environment schemes in general, 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. This commitment by Government is matched by the enthusiasm of Irish farmers who have shown a keen willingness to engage with environmental issues...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Those are all very reasonable questions. My answer, which I have been giving consistently, is that at the moment we cannot afford to put together an AEOS scheme that will cost as much as the AEOS scheme I introduced last year. We do not have the budget for that. Looking at the figures, we will have to make substantial savings again this year, in terms of the budgetary ceiling under which I...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: That is why I want to prioritise those people. However, it will be a matter of whether we have the budget to do it, as to whether we can broaden it outside those categories.