Results 7,301-7,320 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Commission published its proposals for pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy in October of last year as part of a package of seven legislative proposals for reform of the CAP after 2013. These proposals are linked to the EU 2020 Strategy and have three objectives of competitiveness, sustainable management of natural resources and wider rural economy, as under the current round....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Equipment Scheme Applications (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Dairy Equipment Scheme was introduced by my Department on 4 March 2011 in order to provide grant-aid for the purchase of milking machines and milk cooling equipment. The available grant-aid is 40% up to a maximum eligible investment ceiling of €40,000 for milking machines and €25,000 for cooling equipment. Special incentives are provided for certain Milk Production...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Offences (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 130 together. The Programme for Government committed to replacing the criminal sanctions system for minor fisheries offences with administrative sanction system to bring Ireland into line with other European jurisdictions. I sought the advice of the Attorney General on the matter. The Attorney General has responded with a detailed advice on the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Fisheries Policy Negotiations (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The main potential benefit of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) system for Irish fishermen is that it provides a system which aspires to the structured and sustainable management of international fishing activity in each of the key areas of interest to Irish fishermen. In addition, it provides stable arrangements for access to the large EU seafood market for the large volume of Irish seafood...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sugar Industry (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be aware that in 2011 I met with two separate groups which had conducted feasibility studies, into the possibility of establishing a new sugar/bioethanol facility in the country. At both meetings, I stated that any venture to develop a combined sugar/bioethanol production facility would have to be a commercial proposition, financed in total by investors and interested parties...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Timber Supply (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to developing and managing Ireland’s forestry resource in a manner which will ensure sustainable output and growth into the future. The forestry and forest products sector employs nearly 12,000 people in Ireland and generates approximately €2.2 billion in annual output. Our approach to developing the sector is reflected in the budget allocation for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta Dividend (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The details of the dividends paid by Coillte in each of the past five years and to date this year are as outlined below. Year Dividend Paid Type of dividend and year to which it related 2007 - - 2008 €2,599,716 Interim dividend in respect of 2008. Received December 2008 2009 - - 2010 - - 2011 €10,000,000 Interim dividend in respect of 2011. Received...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Penalties (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: As it has not been possible to collate the data sought by the Deputy within the available timescale, I am arranging for it to be forwarded directly it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Harvest 2020 Strategy (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: As indicated in Milestones for Success 2012 , the second progress report on Food Harvest 2020, the agri-food sector is currently well placed to achieve the key targets set out for 2020 in Food Harvest. Specifically, working from the baseline figures, by end 2011 the value of both primary output and exports has increased by almost 19% and 10% respectively , vis-a vis the relevant 33% and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Marine Plan (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 126 together. Following a successful public consultation process, the Government has published an integrated Marine Plan for Ireland entitled ‘Harnessing our Ocean Wealth’ which takes account of the various submissions received in the public consultation process and builds on the ongoing and future work of the various Government...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Fisheries Policy Review (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) 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 current CFP is under review and will not be completed during the Cypriot Presidency and accordingly will fall for delivery during the Irish Presidency of the EU. My overarching goal for the new CFP is for a sustainable,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bovine Disease Controls (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The bovine TB eradication programme includes a comprehensive range of measures, including the mandatory annual testing of all cattle in the national herd, the early removal of reactors, the payment of compensation for cattle removed as reactors, implementation of a range of supplementary tests such as post-derestriction and contiguous tests, a wildlife programme, and the depopulation of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme is a five-year Scheme for beef animals born during the period, which commenced on 1 January 2008 and will end on 31 December 2012. The primary objectives of the Scheme was to improve welfare standards in the sector and to assist in the establishment of a breeding database from which suckler farmers could identify the best breeding stock for their particular...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Island Communities (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: All Department schemes are open to farmers including in the islands. In terms of access to fishing opportunities, fish stocks are managed at a national level and there are no specific allocations for island communities. There is opportunity for increasing Irish fish catches, including for operators based in island communities, by growing the stocks on which we are dependant and which are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy correctly identifies the crucial importance for Ireland of securing support for its position in relation to the EU budget and the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The building of alliances with counterparts in like-minded Member States is an essential component of Ireland’s approach to both sets of negotiations. The negotiations on the Multiannual...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: In 2011, I asked the fishing industry and other interested parties to make proposals on the future management arrangements for all Irish herring fisheries, the Celtic Sea stock, the stocks off the North West coast and the Atlanto Scandian stock. The objective of the review was to deliver a policy which would ensure an economically and biologically sustainable fishery. I received over 20 sets...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Commonage Division (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Department is proposing to introduce measures under the provisions of Article 6 of Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 for the maintenance of certain lands, including commonages declared under the Single Payment Scheme (SPS), the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, REPS, AEOS and the Grassland Sheep Scheme. As part of this process the Commonage Framework Plans, first published in 2002, have been...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department administers the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme on an annual basis. The Programme provides funding for the development of the six state owned fishery harbours and aquaculture landing places. Subject to the availability of necessary exchequer funding, the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme does in addition, provide...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Expenditure (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: In the case of the Single Farm Payment, the earliest payment date under the governing EU rules is 1 December. However earlier this year in recognition of the difficult financial situation faced by many farmers I successfully sought the approval of the Commissioner to have advance payments made as and from 16 October. This is the earliest possible legal date for making advance payments, it...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Stocking Densities (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, eligible applicants in 2012 must have met (a) a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per hectare in 2011 (equivalent to 2 ewes per hectare) and (b) 0.15 livestock units per hectare in 2012. However, in recognition of the environmental objectives of the Scheme, specific provisions were made for those farmers, who had a stocking density...