Results 9,301-9,320 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Interim Report on Equine DNA-Mislabelling of Processed Meat: Statements (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: I apologise for the fact that Opposition spokespersons did not receive the interim report a little earlier. When I briefed them yesterday, I stated they would receive copies by 11 a.m. today. However, it took a little longer to distribute them. This was because we were obliged to make some changes.

Interim Report on Equine DNA-Mislabelling of Processed Meat: Statements (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: They have literally just come off the presses. I will have copies distributed to Members immediately. Two months ago to the day - 14 January - my Department was first informed by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, of its finding of 29% equine DNA in a single beef burger sold in Tesco and manufactured at the Silvercrest plant in County Monaghan. This finding in the FSAI meat...

Interim Report on Equine DNA-Mislabelling of Processed Meat: Statements (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: Absolutely not.

Interim Report on Equine DNA-Mislabelling of Processed Meat: Statements (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: This was the first country in the European Union to uncover this because this was the first country in the European Union to use DNA testing in the food system.

Interim Report on Equine DNA-Mislabelling of Processed Meat: Statements (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: I suggest the Deputy read the report before making ill-informed comments.

Interim Report on Equine DNA-Mislabelling of Processed Meat: Statements (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: For the record, it did not have intelligence.

Interim Report on Equine DNA-Mislabelling of Processed Meat: Statements (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: That is what we are planning to do.

Interim Report on Equine DNA-Mislabelling of Processed Meat: Statements (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: Directly.

Interim Report on Equine DNA-Mislabelling of Processed Meat: Statements (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: If we choose, they may act as agents. The Deputy has not read the report and should do so if he has the chance.

Interim Report on Equine DNA-Mislabelling of Processed Meat: Statements (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: Outsiders could not investigate it.

Interim Report on Equine DNA-Mislabelling of Processed Meat: Statements (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: It would have.

Interim Report on Equine DNA-Mislabelling of Processed Meat: Statements (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: Just to clarify that, of the 957 tests recently taken by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, only seven tested positive for traces of horsemeat. These were all known products already.

Interim Report on Equine DNA-Mislabelling of Processed Meat: Statements (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: I agree.

Interim Report on Equine DNA-Mislabelling of Processed Meat: Statements (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: Just to be accurate. It did not deny it but it did not tell us either. That was the problem.

Interim Report on Equine DNA-Mislabelling of Processed Meat: Statements (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: I thank all the Deputies who contributed to this debate. Several Members asked if we could have a detailed discussion on this report, its consequences and its policy implications at the agriculture committee. I want to do that and give as much time as is necessary. I have shown myself to be more than willing to go to committee for long question-and-answer sessions on this matter. We will...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Redeployment (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: One Superintending Veterinary Inspector has been seconded to Animal Health Ireland as its Chief Executive in September 2009 and my Department continues to pay his salary as part of its annual subvention to AHI. Two Executive Officers have been seconded from my Department since 1994 to Horse Sport Ireland Limited. The salaries in respect of the two individuals are recouped from Horse Sport...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse Passports (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: EU legislation 504/2008 provides that equine animals must be identified from 1 July 2009 with a passport and a microchip. The relevant national legislation is S.I. No. 357 of 2011 - European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2011 (as amended). This legislation provides that if an equine animal has not been identified within six months of the date of its birth, or by 31 of December in the year...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named registered 2 animals in 2011 and 3 animals in 2012 for the Suckler Welfare Scheme. Errors were identified in relation to both of the 2011 born animals and following correspondence with the applicant these errors have now been resolved. Payment will issue shortly in respect of these animals. One of the 2012 born animals is ineligible for payment as it was not registered...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in April 2008 and received payments for the first four years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. These checks have now been completed for 2012 in this case...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments (14 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named registered 5 animals under the 2012 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Errors have been identified in respect of all of these animals and the applicant has been written to with a view to resolving the issues. Payment cannot be considered until these issues have been resolved satisfactorily.