Results 10,921-10,940 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Genetically Modified Organisms (10 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Responsibility for the approval for the undertaking of field trials of genetically modified (GM) crops in the State rests with my colleague the Minister for Environment and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan TD, in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency. In July 2012, the EPA granted consent to Teagasc to carry out a field trial with GM blight resistant potatoes in Carlow over a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Conditions (10 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Participants in AEOS 2 and AEOS 3 who selected traditional hay meadow action, with the exception of Corncrake sites in the Shannon Callows, may commence cutting the meadow for hay immediately for the 2013 cutting season only. Where this earlier cutting date is availed of the conserving of the meadow as silage is not permitted.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: International Bodies Membership (10 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The FAO is one of the largest technical bodies of the UN. A large-scale reform began several years ago that included changes to the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), and decentralisation. Ireland and our EU colleagues have been instrumental in ensuring a more focussed strategy and increased budgetary control within the FAO in recent years. A new Programme of Work and Budget was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Appeals (10 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: A request for a review of the decision to reduce the eligible area, following an inspection under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme, is currently being examined. The person named will be notified of the outcome of this initial review as soon as possible, which can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office within 3 months.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Administration (10 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Officials in my Department have commenced reissuing notifications of the outcome of applications to all farmers in Limerick.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Appeals (10 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 22 November 2012. The process of ranking and selecting all AEOS applicants was clearly set out in the scheme documentation. Acceptance into the scheme was established using the pre-determined selection criteria as follows: 1. farmers in the Boora region of Co. Offaly who chose...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Appeals (10 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Officials in my Department are examining the issues involved and are currently conducting a review of the penalty imposed on Mr O'Connor's REPS payment. They will contact Mr O'Connor directly once the review is complete.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Eligibility (10 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 28 November 2012. The process of ranking and selecting all AEOS applicants was clearly set out in the scheme documentation. Acceptance into the scheme was established using the pre-determined selection criteria as follows: 1. farmers in the Boora region of Co. Offaly who chose...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Eligibility (11 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The agreement reached on 26 June between the three European institutions on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy will come into force in the 2015 scheme year. All existing payment entitlements will expire on 31 December 2014. Eligibility for the allocation of new entitlements is clearly defined, the first criteria being that the person must have received a direct payment under the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences Applications (11 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 to 207, inclusive, together. Fees in respect of aquaculture licences are payable in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act. My Department takes a pro-active approach in respect of the collection of fees. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on any particular case in view of the commercial sensitivities that may be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Grants (11 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The decision on this case is still pending. However, it is anticipated that a decision on the case will issue to the person named before the end of this month.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (11 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: I and my Department have been very proactive in presenting Ireland’s offensive and defensive interests in the agriculture elements of the EU/Canada (CETA) negotiations and in monitoring the progress of the negotiations in relation to agriculture. My officials have had several meetings with the Commission, including a meeting with the Director General for DG Trade, and have also...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Commonage Framework Plans (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Commonage lands form an important part of the farming enterprises of many farmers, particularly along the West Coast. They also form an important part of the local environment from the point of view of bio-diversity, wildlife, amenities and economic returns e.g. tourism. However, there is a substantial risk of land abandonment as under-grazing becomes more of a problem. Under-grazing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The processing of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application for the person named has recently been finalised by my Department and payment has issued directly to the nominated bank account of the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Trade in agricultural products is excluded from the scope of the European Economic Area (EAA) Agreement which makes Norway a part of the EU's internal market. However, Article 19 of the Agreement obliges signatories to "undertake to continue their efforts with a view to achieving progressive liberalization of agricultural trade". A bilateral agreement was drawn up in 2012, which established...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Properties (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The lease on these premises, Houston Hall, Raheen Business Park, Raheen, Limerick, is a matter for the Office of Public Works (OPW). Following the recent transfer of administrative staff to the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, we are working with the OPW with a view to consolidating all our remaining business units, including the Regional District Veterinary Office, on to one floor.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Reports (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The information request by the Deputy is listed in the following table. CONSULTANT TITLE OF REPORT DATE OF COMMISSION DATE OR EXPECTED DATE OF PUBLICATION PAYMENTS IN 2011 (March to December) € University College Dublin Evaluation of the EU School Fruit Scheme/Food Dude Programme in Ireland 2011 - Commission Regulation 288 of 2009 February 2011 10 January 2012 4,500 University...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Bodies Board Remuneration (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The details of the fees paid to Board members of the twelve State Bodies operating under the aegis of my Department for 2012 are outlined in the attached table. The issues of expenses paid to members of State Boards is an operational matter for the body itself. Body/Agency No of Board Members Term of Office Board Fees per Annum Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board 7 2 - 5 years Chair:...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 966 and 1007 together. The details of the salaries of the Chief Executive Officers of the eight Non Commercial State Bodies and the four Commercial State Bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are outlined in the following table. In relation to two Commercial State Bodies – Coillte and the Irish National Stud – the salaries of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 967 and 969 together. The attached table details the companies who were paid in excess of €20,000 for professional services during the period 1 June 2012 to 31 May 2013. In line with the Programme for Government, the Department is putting on its website details of payments for goods and services valued at more that €20,000. This threshold has...