Results 5,781-5,800 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Beef Exports: Beef Exports (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 150, 151 and 153 together. The size of the beef cow herd is a function of market forces and maximising its output potential is contingent on range of economic variables including the price of beef in EU and international markets. Because Ireland exports the vast bulk of its beef output, external market developments are an important determinant of Irish...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Under the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, the European Commission have proposed a fisheries management regime in the context of Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). This means taking each year a proportion of fish in the sea that is the right size to let fish grow and reproduce at their most productive level. From a broader perspective as I have previously stated, Ireland is committed to...

Written Answers — Common Fisheries Policy: Common Fisheries Policy (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Common Fisheries Policy is the fisheries policy of the European Union which was first put in place in 1983 and has been subject to reviews every 10 years. The Commission published its proposals for the reform of the CFP in July 2011 involving a basic policy regulation and a proposal on the Common organisation of the market (CMO). In December 2011, the EU Commission published its...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Since their publication last October, the Commission's proposals have undergone two rounds of detailed technical examination at Council Working Group level. The Danish Presidency has begun to produce revised texts in some areas, which reflect where it feels Member States are broadly in agreement on some issues, but which do not yet necessarily equate to final compromise texts. In the...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Earlier this year I responded in detail to questions put down by the Deputy regarding the matters to which the Deputy now refers which is the welfare of horses. I have explained, in my earlier replies to the Deputy, my Department's responsibilities with regard to the welfare of horses and the options open to an individual should he or she wish to further progress complaints relating to the...

Written Answers — Fuel Costs: Fuel Costs (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the continued high cost of inputs for several sectors of the economy. Feed prices and fuel costs have been high for well over a year. Fuel prices are largely dictated by global influences and can also increase or decrease based on the value of the dollar against the Euro. Green diesel is already substantially less expensive than ordinary diesel. This is a long-standing...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The 2012 National Reserve consists of one non-mandatory category i.e. New Entrant to farming and caters for farmers who commenced farming for the first time after 17th May 2010. 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 agricultural activity....

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Arrangements are now in place to facilitate milk partnerships under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS). The situation is that partnerships are eligible to participate in REPS provided there is one REPS agri-environmental plan is in place for all lands owned/leased/rented by all partners involved in the milk partnership. In the case of the person named, he commenced in REPS 4 in...

Written Answers — Íocaíochtaí Deontas: Íocaíochtaí Deontas (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Faoi Rialacháin an AE a rialaíonn an Scéim um Roghanna Comhshaol Talmhaíochta agus scéimeanna íocaíochta bunaithe sa cheantar, ní mór seiceáil riaracháin chuimsitheach, tras-sheiceáil leis an gCóras Aitheanta Dáileachtaí Talún ina measc, a chur i gcrích ar gach iarratas sular féidir íocaíocht ar bith a eisiúint. Tarlaíonn na seiceálacha seo i bhfad roimh ré agus táim...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st November 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 before any payment can issue. During these checks a query...

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: It is assumed that the assessments referred to by the Deputy relate to the Appropriate Assessment process conducted by the Marine Institute in respect of bays designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) or Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the EU Habitats/Birds Directives. Kenmare Bay is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive (Natura 2000...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: There has been a significant improvement in the Bovine TB situation over the past decade and eradication now appears to be a genuinely practicable proposition over the coming years. The number of reactors has declined from 40,000 to 18,500 during the period 2000 to 2011. This is the lowest recorded since the commencement of the eradication programme in the 1950's and improves on the record...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the harbour at Cape Clear in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested piers, lights and Beacons act. I am very much aware of the deterioration in the Bulls Nose on Cape Clear and my Department has been monitoring the situation over the last number of years. I have arranged for a full engineering assessment of the condition of the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person concerned is an applicant under the Dairy Equipment Scheme and has submitted a payment claim in respect of one of his applications. A pre-payment inspection has been arranged to ensure that the terms and conditions of the scheme have been complied with and, subject to the outcome of those checks, payment will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Agri-Food Sector: Agri-Food Sector (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The agri-food sector is playing a key role in the economic recovery of this country particularly in the area of exports which saw a 12% increase in 2011 compared to the previous year. In the last week we have seen positive economic results from some of the larger multinationals in the sector where exports continue to drive turnover. On the producer side, there have also been some...

Written Answers — Food Exports: Food Exports (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 156, 159 and 162 together. Exports in the agri food sector have performed strongly in recent years, and I believe that the Irish agri food sector is well positioned to take advantage of future increases in demand arising from increasing global population. Dairy Exports of dairy products in 2011 were valued at €2.66 billion, an increase of 17% on the...

Written Answers — Sugar Industry: Sugar Industry (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The EU Sugar Regime underwent a radical reform in 2005 and Greencore, the holder of the entire Irish sugar quota availed of the sugar restructuring scheme, dismantled its facilities and ceased production in 2006. Post reform production is now concentrated in 18 Member States. The present regime runs from 1 September 2006 to the 30 September 2015. There is no mechanism under the present EU...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority is the body within the State responsible for gathering data and reporting on the landings of sea fish by Irish Sea Fishing Boats and other fish landings into Irish ports. I have asked the Authority to directly provide the Deputy with the data requested. In relation to employment in the sector, both Food Harvest 2020 and Action Plan for Jobs 2012...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I continue to operate under strict budgetary constraints due to the ongoing situation in the public finances. The Vote for my Department was reduced from €1,647 billion in 2011 to €1.339 billion in 2012, including carry-over of €27 million in savings on capital expenditure from 2011 in accordance with public financial procedures. Under the expenditure ceilings in the Government's...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (10 May 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. The European fishing fleet depends totally on...