Results 10,401-10,420 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (22 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: Again, these are technical amendments to update the list of legislation.

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (22 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: I thank this House, in particular, for its contribution to this Bill. I hope I have taken on board most of the concerns expressed by Senators. I certainly tried to do that, both here and in the Dáil, and I believe the Bill is better for it. The original draft of this legislation was put in place by the previous Government. It has been amended, changed and modernised, as appropriate,...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (22 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: May I respond?

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (22 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: I am happy to outline the status of the fodder issues at the moment, which are serious and have been for some time. The fodder crisis began this time last year because we really had no summer from June onwards. Parts of west and north County Cork, and County Kerry had only three days without rain from the start of June to the end of August. It was an extraordinary weather pattern that then...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences Applications (23 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: Castlemaine Harbour is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 site). My Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has been engaged in a major programme of data...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (23 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: The following is the position regarding the applications under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme for the years mentioned: - Payment under the 2008 Scheme issued to the registered herdowner on 30 September 2008. - Payment under the 2009 Scheme was delayed due to issues regarding one of the land parcel declared. However, these have since been resolved, with payment due to issue shortly. - No...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Agencies Staff Numbers (23 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the allocation and management of human resources, are the responsibility of the company. Coillte has advised that it does not employ staff to work exclusively at Donadea Forest, but that a number of staff cover the Kildare area, including Donadea. These...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Eligibility (23 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person concerned is an approved applicant under the TAMS Sow Welfare Scheme. The applicant now wishes to alter the dimensions of the building in respect of which approval has issued to him under the Scheme. In these circumstances, a confirmatory letter from the relevant local authority or, in its absence, revised planning permission from that authority will be required before grant...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (23 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 November 2010 and full payments totalling €783.84 and €4,703.01 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 the Land...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (23 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware the negotiations on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy are not yet finalised so that it is not possible to say with any certainty what the outcome will be in respect of any aspect of the new single payment regime. However, I can confirm that there are no proposals at present to deviate from the current situation where eligible area planted with forest from...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (23 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 November 2010 and full payments totalling €685.55 issued in respect of 2010. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Disease Controls (23 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is officially free of Brucellosis since 2009 (our last case was in 2006). The rules relating to Brucellosis provide that, even where the disease has been eradicated, a reduced testing programme must be implemented for a period of 5 years. In view of this, my Department has scaled down the Brucellosis testing programme as follows: - the age threshold for annual round testing has...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: European Union Solidarity Fund (23 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that the EU Solidarity Fund, which has been mentioned as a possible source of further support, would not be available in these circumstances. The EU Solidarity Fund, is in the main, confined to major disasters which have lasting repercussions on economic stability, living conditions and the natural environment. The EU Solidarity Fund only intervenes for non-insurable public...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Security (23 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Department's agricultural attaché in Rome combines his function as the liaison officer with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations with other consular and trade responsibilities including assisting and promoting Ireland's agri-food business interests in Italy and neighbouring countries. Ireland plays a full and active role in all aspects of the work of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (23 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has a strict system of transport rules in respect of both national and international journeys. The current Irish regulation in relation to the approval of ships for livestock transport is set higher than that which applies in other EU Member States. Detailed inspections are required before approval is given to ships transporting animals. The requirements for approval of dedicated...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (23 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: I have actively monitored the evolving situation in recent weeks arising from unusual weather patterns and as set out below have not been slow in taking steps not only to mitigate its immediate effects, insofar as possible, but also to avoid difficulties into the future. In terms of the imported fodder transport scheme, following consultation with Met Eireann, Co Ops, the farming...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Legal Costs (23 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department actively manages its legal affairs and constantly seeks to minimise legal costs. While legal costs incurred by State Bodies are an operational matter for the Bodies themselves, my Department promotes early engagement and active management of legal matters concerning them.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Funding (28 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: Renard Pier, Caherciveen is owned by Kerry County Council and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the local authority in the first instance. My Department has however, provided funding for the development and repair of local authority owned harbours, piers and slipways in 2013 as part of the fishery harbour and coastal infrastructure development programme. No...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta Lands (28 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 582 together. Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of the State’s forestry estate, are the responsibility of the company. Coillte has advised, in relation to entry fees, that, while pedestrian access is free, the company has no...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (28 May 2013)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 14 November 2012 and an acknowledgement letter has issued to the person named. The processing of all applications is now being finalised and applicants, including the person named will be informed of the outcome of the selection process this week.