Results 10,701-10,720 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences Application Numbers (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: At present there are in the order of 600 aquaculture licence applications awaiting determination. This number comprises of both new licence applications and applications in respect of renewal applications for existing licences. The backlog has developed over a period of approximately nine years and largely arises because the majority of areas for which aquaculture licences are sought are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Applications (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: Under the EU Regulations governing both REPS and AEOS and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. Successive EU audits have made it clear that compliance with the Regulations must be strictly adhered to and that all...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Application Numbers (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme was a five-year programme for beef breed animals which were born during the period 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2012. This Scheme was fully funded by the Exchequer. Over the five year duration of the Scheme, in excess of €155 million has already been delivered in support to suckler cow farmers. The Scheme has made an important contribution to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Development (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has submitted an application for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement are currently being considered in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act. My Department has also issued a Site Investigation Licence to BIM in respect...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Programme Funding (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: The amount of EU co funding due in 2013 under 2007 - 2013 Rural Development Programme (Pillar I) for measures administered by my Department is estimated at €176 million. This compares to €294.4 million in EU co funding received in 2012. The lower figure for 2013 reflects the likely amount of EU funding remaining to be drawn down under the programme based on the estimated...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: It is important that we do as much as we can over the next few months to ensure that Irish farmers are not faced with the same issues and difficulties next Winter as experienced earlier this year in sourcing adequate fodder for their animals. Accordingly, Teagasc’s Interagency Fodder Committee is currently monitoring the fodder situation while also examining and co-ordinating the next...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: Further to the Government decision that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte's forests be considered for sale, NewERA, Coillte, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department examined the financial and other implications of developing the potential of Coillte's forest assets. This examination included the identification of the forestry assets involved, the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: I want to take the opportunity to again emphasise both my own and the Government’s commitment to the agri-environment schemes as operated by my Department. These schemes put environmentally friendly farming at the forefront and recognise the vital role farmers play in delivering public goods in protecting the environment and the natural heritage for the benefit of society as a whole....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ash Dieback Threat (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: To date, 36 forestry plantations have tested positive for the disease, all planted with imported stock. The disease has also been confirmed at 15 horticultural nurseries, 13 roadside landscaping projects, 13 farms (REPS/AEOS), 3 garden centres and 2 private gardens. As a precautionary measure in order to reduce the potential spread of the disease, my Department has written to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Conditions (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: A total of 9,703 applications were received by my Department under the re-opened Agri-environment Options Scheme and, based on the annual budget of €20 million available and following the ranking and selection process, a total of 6,000 applicants have now been approved for participation in the scheme. 4,483 applicants selecting Grey Partridge, Natura and Commonage actions were...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: EU Presidency Issues (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: As Chairman of the AgriFish Council of Ministers during the six months Irish Presidency of the Council, I can report that significant progress has been made on the Presidency's policy objectives. Recent months have seen very positive developments in the negotiations on reform of the CAP and I am confident that we will achieve political agreement on this package before the end of June. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Development (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres, which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department. I am aware of the many potential benefits of a small craft facility at this location, including the spin-off for the local economy, and I have allocated funding of €20,000 under the 2013 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Eligibility (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 54 together. In order to be eligible under the Single Payment Scheme and other area based schemes, an applicant must ensure that all agricultural land is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC). Cross-compliance involves two key elements: - A requirement for farmers to comply with 19 Statutory Management Requirements...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Allotments Provision (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 66 together. As Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I have no function with regard to allotments. The Acquisition of Land (Allotments) Act 1926, which falls under the remit of the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, enables local authorities to let allotments in urban areas to an individual for the specific purpose...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: Under the EU Regulations governing the scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. Successive EU audits have made it absolutely clear that compliance with the Regulations must be strictly adhered to and that all...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Expenditure (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: EU Commission approval for the introduction of a number of targeted agricultural modernisation schemes (“TAMS”) which were designed to support productive investment in the agricultural sector was received in March 2010, with total funding of €110 million as provided for in Ireland’s Rural Development Programme for 2007-2013. This funding has enabled investment to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Credit Availability (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: During the recent fodder crisis, concerns regarding access to credit and flexibility around loan repayments have been significant issues for many farmers. My Department has been in regular contact with the banks, co-ops and feed merchants to urge flexibility and co-operation during this time. Both banks and co-ops have asked farmers to contact them to discuss the terms that are available and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: Further to the Government decision that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte's forests be considered for sale, NewERA, Coillte, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department examined the financial and other implications of developing the potential of Coillte's forest assets. This examination included the identification of the forestry assets involved, the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farmers Indebtedness (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: I, along with my officials, am in regular contact with farm bodies, various national banks and the Banking Federation concerning credit and indebtedness matter relating to farmers. I am acutely aware due to recent weather events that some farmers may be having short-term difficulties in managing their borrowings and in my recent engagements with the banks I requested that they take a flexible...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: State Bodies Code of Conduct (19 Jun 2013)

Simon Coveney: Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established in 1958, under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. The Board has wide powers to regulate all aspects of greyhound racing. The Board of Bord na gCon, comprising of seven members - a Chairman and six ordinary members, is responsible for leading and...