Results 5,901-5,920 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (22 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I will give the legalistic answer and then my view on it. The proposed amendment weakens the welfare thrust of this Bill. We have worked hard to achieve a fine balance between the rights of the individual and the need for the State to have the power to intervene where offences have occurred. The Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel have been closely involved in the...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (22 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: We went to great lengths to ensure we were not doing anything that would prevent people from continuing to participate in field sports as they would have in the past, as long as that is in a way that is consistent with the codes of conduct enshrined in those sports, including coursing, hunting and fishing. The measure applies only if there is undue cruelty such as the digging out of animals...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Dooks Slipway, Glenbeigh is in the ownership of Kerry County Council and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. My Department did receive an application from Kerry County Council for funding for a total of 7 projects for inclusion in the 2012 Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. No application for funding...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted an application for consideration of an allocation of entitlements under the New Entrant category of the 2010 National Reserve. This category caters for farmers who commenced farming after 15 May 2008. Successful applicants under this category were required to meet certain criteria in relation to income limits and educational qualifications. The application was...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named registered five animals under the 2010 Suckler Welfare Scheme and one animal under the 2011 Scheme. The Terms and Conditions specify the requirements of the Scheme, which provide that participants must carry out the prescribed measures and notify the Department of the completion of each of these measures. These requirements are mandatory for the entire five year period of the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted an application form for the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme on 16th May 2011 having completed the Form B option, indicating that he had no designated lands. 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 — Poultry Industry: Poultry Industry (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 192 together. The farm gate value of the poultry sector, at €150m (approx €120m meat and €30m eggs), accounts for approximately 3% of gross agricultural output. Within this, the turkey production sector is a small niche element which is highly seasonal and which has a high level of vertical integration. Food Harvest 2020 targets a 10% increase in...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: This is the terminology that is used in existing legislation and it relates to the type of mineral licks farmers give to cattle, sheep and horses. The section refers to nourishment that is required by certain species or breeds. This may involve extra minerals which may be required in the context of their development or growth. The paragraph adds to what is contained in section 13(1)(a) and...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: We are trying to ensure that when people leave animals for a period there will be adequate shelter and warmth as well as suitable food and water and that the animal will be provided with adequate exercise. A practical example would involve someone working during the day who has a dog in a stable, porch or shed. An effort should be made. The legislation has the term "what is reasonably...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The amendment was a result of a representation made to me and it was drafted following consultation with various groups. A concern was raised that certain activities might be construed as abandonment. While I consider that neither the re-introduction of wild animals nor the stocking of game birds constitutes abandonment, it is best to remove any doubt. The amendment makes it clear that the...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The point raised by Senator Ó Domhnaill is in the same category as the two paragraphs we discussed yesterday. We will examine the matter. We do not want to prosecute in an unreasonable way owners of animals who have entrusted those animals to either a professional, a family member or a friend for minding in good faith. In some cases the owners will be paying for it. Let us suppose one...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: That is a fair point and it is the reason we need codes of conduct in welfare organisations, not just for horses but for other animals as well. We must balance the support for well-meaning people who in many cases are looking after abandoned animals at their own expense. I know a number of them and they are well-meaning animal lovers who are looking to help as many abandoned animals as they...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Yes. There are codes of practice in place. There is a long section on codes of practice which we will reach shortly.

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I have just been advised that the normal period we would financially support the council in terms of keeping animals is five days. These are issues we can review if they are not appropriate. The point of having flexibility around codes of conduct is to be able to extend or reduce them, depending on what is appropriate. We are trying to get this right, which is why putting a timeframe into...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: It is the responsibility of local authorities in this area. We play a supervisory role, and we are talking to local authorities about how we can financially support them. Obviously, we have spoken to local authorities about trying to get this legislation right. My understanding is that there is an obligation on a local authority to collect and look after horses if they have been abandoned....

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: There is not, as far as I know.

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: There is a joint responsibility. Local authorities cannot say that they want all of this to be paid for by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. There is a also responsibility on local authorities, their veterinary officers and their authorised officers to ensure that horses are not abandoned. This is a joint approach. We spent just over €2 million last year supporting...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: We had quite a long conversation about this issue this morning. I think what the Senator is asking for is not unreasonable. This section is clearly not about farming, unless somebody is farming animals for fighting. If that is the case, we are coming after such people. This is one of the sections about which I feel very strongly. That is why this section refers to anyone who records,...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I do not want to over-egg this point. However, a really good example of lack of animal welfare legislation is seen in the practices of dog fighting, dog baiting and cock fighting and the underground culture that goes with them which is, unfortunately, quite active across the country. I hope the Bill will send out a strong signal to people who are participating in those activities that they...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Section 16 has given quite a few people cause for concern. The amendment is brought forward following consultation with the Select Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture. It brings additional clarity to section 16. It makes it clear that, irrespective of whether or not an operation is covered by a regulation under subsection 16(1), a veterinary practitioner may...