Results 8,801-8,820 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Burger Content Investigations: Discussion (5 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: Senator Mary Ann O'Brien commented on the price of food. My understanding is that the price of the eight burgers was €1.59, but I will stand corrected.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Burger Content Investigations: Discussion (5 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: Either way, it is a ridiculously cheap product. That is why the product used is primarily beef trimmings, the type of product that does not have a home anywhere else. It is very much at the bottom of the market. However, as I stated, that is no excuse for not having standards.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Burger Content Investigations: Discussion (5 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: That may be the case. We are considering a code of good trading practice at EU level. The conversation is taking place at EU level among Ministers and there is a good deal of pressure from farmers, primary producers and small food companies producing good quality products. Such players are feeling the squeeze by large multiples which have significant buying power and can drive down prices,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Burger Content Investigations: Discussion (5 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: As I did not answer Deputy Ferris's questions earlier, I will answer them now and then comment on Senator Ó Domhnaill's questions. Rangeland's three samples indicate the involvement of two different companies based in Poland. Certainly the labels suggest these companies delivered product through a meat trader arrangement. Both of these companies also delivered to Silvercrest. One of...

Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (6 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: Six weeks have passed since Shane's death. It is still difficult for many of us to grasp and accept what happened. This is a difficult day in this House for Shane's many colleagues and friends from all parties. It is a particularly difficult day for Shane's wife Kathleen and his children, Vincent, Helen, Sally and Aoife and other members of the McEntee family. I have some experience of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (6 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) with effect from the 1st September 2011 and full payment totalling €607.76 issued in respect of 2011. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Payments (6 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: Applications were received by my Department for disadvantaged area payment and single farm payment for the 2011 scheme year from the brother of the person named on the 15th April 2011. That applicant subsequently died on the 9th May 2011. Any payments arising from the 2011 applications are due to the estate of the deceased applicant and not to the person named. Officials from my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grant Aid (6 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: I have no plans at present to introduce grant-aid for the construction of sheep or cattle sheds.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (6 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department has no record of receiving a 2012 Single Payment Scheme application from the person named by the deadline of 15 May 2012. However, an application under 2012 Single Payment Scheme was received on 4 February 2013 from the person named together with proof of postage of the earlier application. This application has been fully processed and payment will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (6 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: A comprehensive framework exists to deal with seafood safety in Ireland. The Marine Institute is responsible for monitoring shellfish for the presence of naturally occurring phytoplankton toxins. Toxicity can occur at any time during the year and the periods of closure can vary considerably from year-to-year. The monitoring programme is designed to detect toxicity in shellfish growing areas...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Upward Only Rent Reviews (6 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: With reference to the State Bodies that fall under my Department’s remit, decisions relating to property leases are an operational matter for the state bodies themselves. My Department does not record such information nor is it required to do so.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sea Lice Controls (6 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department’s policy on sea lice controls is strictly evidence based. The control protocols are operated by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State and are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons: - The inspection regime is totally independent of the industry. - Data obtained as a result of inspections is published. - Treatment trigger...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (6 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st November 2010 and full payments totalling €476.63 and €2,844.00 issued in respect of 2010 and 2011 respectively. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Development (6 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: Applications for licences in respect of aquaculture developments are assessed in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997. All such applications are assessed by my Department and its technical and scientific advisors having regard to the details of the application and any issues raised under the statutory and public consultation phases of the application process....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sea Lice Controls (6 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department’s policy on sea lice controls is strictly evidence based. The control protocols are operated by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State and are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons: - The inspection regime is totally independent of the industry. - Data obtained as a result of inspections is published. - Treatment trigger...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (6 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: One Assistant Secretary General was re-engaged by my Department on a contract basis which is due to expire 28 June 2013. His current contract, which will expire at the end of the EU Presidency, involves a total cost of €63,553.50. This is calculated at half the rate of the normal Assistant Secretary General salary. His duties involve policy matters relating to the meat and dairy...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sale of State Assets (6 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: Further to the Government decision that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests be considered for sale, NewERA have been actively engaged in recent months with Coillte, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department to examine the financial and other implications of developing the potential of Coillte’s forest assets. The process is at an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (6 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: Under 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of six consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. While the holding of the person named was confirmed as having satisfied the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Banking (6 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: The following are details of the monies held in accounts by the non-commercial State bodies under the aegis of the Department. The statement reflects the position as returned to the Department of Finance in January 2013. State Bodies Deposit @ 31/12/12 Rate of Interest on Deposit Teagasc €25.4m Interest Bearing A/Cs €1.4m Current A/C /Cash €26.8m ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Appeals (6 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: The appeal of the person named has been forwarded to the DAS Appeals Committee for consideration; when that Committee has adjudicated on this appeal, the person concerned will be notified of its decision, in writing.