Results 6,361-6,380 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that I have sought the approval of the EU Commissioner to allow the payment of a 50% advance of the Single Payment with effect from 16 October, the earliest payment date possible, it being the first day of the new EU financial year. I understand that a number of other Member States have also made similar requests. I am both particularly mindful of the importance of the Single...

Written Answers — Pork Exports: Pork Exports (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: The pigmeat sector in Ireland has remained resilient in recent years in the face of considerable difficulties. Production increased by over 17% between 2008 and 2011. The sector remains the third largest individual component of the agrifood industry and supports approximately 7,000 jobs, many of which are in rural communities. Production, prices and exports increased significantly in 2011,...

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 683 and 684 together. The pig sector accounts for approximately 6% of the overall agrifood industry and is the third largest individual component of the agrifood sector. Output, prices and exports have continued the growth of recent years to date in 2012. The 'Food Harvest 2020 Report ', published in July 2010, sets out the vision for the future of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: There are Four State Bodies under the aegis of my Department which have the power to enter premises. Sea Fisheries Protection Agency Veterinary Council of Ireland Horse Racing Ireland Bord na gCon Sections 17 and 17a of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 2007, set down the powers of Sea Fisheries Protection Officers of the...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: Since March 2011 vacancies on the Boards of the State Bodies that fall under my Department's remit are listed on my Department's website and expressions of interest sought. In the case of a number of bodies, the board appointments, while made by me, are not at my sole discretion and, instead, individuals are nominated for appointment by me by various organisations as specified in the...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: I have appointed chairpersons to three State Bodies under the aegis of my Department since March 2011. The three State Bodies are - An Bord Bia -Bord Iascaigh Mhara -Bord na gCon The Chairs appointed have yet to be called before the relevant Oireachtas committee but are aware of this requirement.

Written Answers — Agricultural College Places: Agricultural College Places (18 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: This is an operational matter for Teagasc, the Agriculture Food and Development Authority. Teagasc is the main education provider of further education courses for the agri-food sector and through its long-standing association with the Institutes of Technologies and the University sector it is also significantly involved in the delivery of degree-level programmes. Teagasc's education courses...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (18 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: Earlier this year my Department made temporary allocations of milk quota, on the basis of recommendations received from the independent Appeals Tribunal Panel, totalling some 25m litres from the National Reserve to almost 1,000 milk suppliers who applied under this Department's Animal Disease Scheme. Given the significant pressures on milk quotas in the last Milk Quota year my Department is...

Written Answers — Ministerial Expenditure: Ministerial Expenditure (18 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: The amounts spent by previous Ministers and Ministers of State on various expenses for the period 1 January 2007 to 9 March 2011 is as follows. All expenses were vouched. Subsistence Expenses €47,694 Mobile Phone Expenses €28,969 Official Vouched Expenses €249,041

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (18 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person mentioned commenced in REPS 3 in September 2006 and received payments for the full five years of their contract. The Year 5 payment issued on 27th January 2011 for the amount of €3,198.10. However, following a later compliance inspection in the August 2012 a 100% clawback was imposed on 08th September 2011 amounting to €3,198.10 for failure to keep "field boundaries,...

Written Answers — Hare Coursing: Hare Coursing (18 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the controlling body for breeding and coursing of greyhounds under Section 26(2) of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. In that role, it has sole legal authority to control all activities in these areas. Notwithstanding the above, my Department, in conjunction with National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) meet annually with the ICC in the form of a monitoring...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (18 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person mentioned commenced in REPS 3 in December 2006 and received payments for the first 4 years of the contract period. Following a compliance inspection, a 100% penalty was imposed on 17th August 2010 amounting to €6,814.00 for failure to keep "listed habitats not retained as specified". An appeal from the person named was received by the Agriculture Appeals Office in Portlaoise on...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: The following tables show details of total expenditure by my Department in excess of €20,000 to all local authorities for 2011 and 2012 to date. It would take an excessive amount of staff resources to provide the full detail for all payments below that amount which mainly relate to service charges, planning applications and maintenance costs on piers and harbours on behalf of this...

Written Answers — Food Harvest 2020: Food Harvest 2020 (18 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: Food Harvest 2020 is a strategy that was developed by an industry-led committee whose wide membership included representatives of the food and drink industry, state agencies, academia, farm bodies and other interested stakeholders. As a strategic policy document, it is not in the category of plan or project under the provisions of Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC that would...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (18 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: In February 2012 my Department announced details of the 2012 Scheme for the Allocation of Milk Quota to New Entrants to Dairying, with a closing date of 4th May 2012. Approximately 270 applications were received in my Department before this deadline. These applications were subject to a preliminary examination to ensure compliance with the eligibility criteria as set out in the Detailed...

Written Answers — Ministerial Advisers: Ministerial Advisers (18 Jul 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 Fergal Leamyfrom 11/4/2011 – 9/9/2011 Special Advisor to Minister Coveney Áine Kilroyfrom 18/4/2011 Special Advisor to Minister Coveney Ross MacMathunafrom 16/01/2012 Special Advisor to Minister Coveney

Written Answers — Ministerial Advisers: Ministerial Advisers (18 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: In response to the Deputy's question, I have detailed below the information requested in respect of Special Advisors and Press Advisers employed in my Department for the past five years. Name Title Dermot Murphyfrom 29/10/2004 – 06/05/2008 Special Advisor toMinister Mary Coughlan Michael Shovlinfrom 02/05/2006 – 07/09/2007 Press Advisor toMinister Mary Coughlan Sean Perryfrom...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (18 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person mentioned commenced in REPS 3 in October 2006 and received payments for the first 4 years of the plan. Following a Compliance Inspection, a 100% penalty was imposed on 3rd May 2011 for the amount of €3,058.32 as a result of an "adjustment for area change". An appeal was received on 17th November 2011 by the Agriculture Appeals Office in Portlaoise. Following examination of this...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (18 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: Perhaps I can respond before the seconder arrives. To be helpful on this, we will not accept amendment No. 4. It relates to Part 3 which deals with animal welfare and the duty to protect it. Keeping the terminology "shall take all necessary steps" to prevent cruelty must remain as it is. With regard to amendment No. 1, it is not unreasonable to partially accept what the Senator is saying....

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (18 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: I cannot accept this amendment because it is almost an impossible task to prevent straying in the context of wind-borne diseases or the spread of disease by wildlife. I am not convinced it is possible to meet that standard. I understand the reason for the amendment as a measure for control of wind-borne disease spores but asking a farmer or a keeper of animals to take preventative measures...