Results 10,981-11,000 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports (17 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Food Harvest 2020 sets a target of €12 billion in total food and drink exports by 2020. The value of exports is of course a function of supply and demand and other factors, but despite difficult economic conditions in the market place, Irish agrifood exports are continuing to perform strongly. The interim export target for 2015 is €10 billion and the fact that the value of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (17 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together. One of the main features of the CAP reform package, on which political agreement was reached last month, is the flexibility provided to Member States to take individual decisions in regard to implementation of the common policy. In that regard, the general rule for allocation of payment entitlements under the new regime is that the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences Applications (17 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: An application by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay was received by my Department last year. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement are being considered under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act. A determination in respect of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: European Council Meetings (17 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: I attended the first meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council under the Lithuanian presidency which took place on 15 July 2013. At the commencement of the meeting, Lithuania announced its priorities for the upcoming six months. In agriculture, these include finalisation of the legal texts of the CAP reform package, completion of negotiations on transitional arrangements and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Proposed Legislation (17 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department is currently examining submissions received in respect of the dog microchipping initiative that I announced in the course of the passage of the Animal Health and Welfare Act through the Oireachtas earlier this summer. As part of this process, my Department will be glad to examine the draft Bill that you have kindly forwarded. However, it should be noted that the issue of dog...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (17 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together. The CAP reform agreement on 26 June provided two options for Member States in relation to the internal convergence of direct payments: either a flat rate per hectare payment (the Commission’s proposal) or partial convergence (Irish model). Under partial convergence, farmers with payments below 90% of the national average payment...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Rehiring (17 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: No retired civil servant has been retained by my Department since January 2013 where normal abatement rules do not apply. The parallel information in respect of the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the Bodies themselves.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Haddington Road Agreement Savings (17 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The measures applying to my Department and agencies under the aegis of my Department are set out in the relevant sectoral collective agreement under Haddington Road, appendix 4, Proposals for Civil Service and NCSSBs. As stated by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, the Haddington Road agreement will facilitate a reduction of €1 billion in the public service pay and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (18 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Operational issues in relation to sea fisheries control are a matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). I have asked the SFPA to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (18 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Control of the fishing within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone is a matter for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, operational issues concerning sea fisheries control are a matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. The SFPA has not advised me of any policy issues arising in respect of any...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Data (18 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: I took a decision earlier this year to establish two new agriculture attaché posts in the Irish Embassies in Beijing and Moscow respectively. This was a reflection of the growing importance of these markets to exports of Irish agri-food products. Following an internal competition, these posts have now been filled. The agricultural attaché to Moscow will take up duty at the end of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications (18 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 29th 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: Information and Communications Technology Issues (18 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Department provides a range of online services to its customers and partners in the agri-food industry. These services are based on a wide range of modern and efficient IT systems that underpin the Department's critical business processes. The Department continues to improve its online services and make maximum usage of next generation technologies in information and communications to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: EU Presidency Issues (18 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Developing and supporting Blue Growth was one of the priorities of the Irish Presidency of the European Union. Specifically, we aimed at concluding an Action Plan for the Maritime Strategy for the Atlantic Ocean area and obtaining European Council endorsement of that Plan. We were successful in both objectives. The Irish Presidency also managed to achieve the first step in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Domestic Pets (18 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Agreement was reached during the course of the Irish Presidency on a new regulation to replace Regulation 998/2003, which lays down animal health requirements for the non commercial movement of pet animals, primarily for rabies control. Under the EU rabies regime pet dogs, cats and ferrets can travel with their owners around the European Union provided they are accompanied by a ‘pet...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (18 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The tenth UN Forum on Forests (UN FF10) was held in Istanbul, Turkey from 8th to 20th April 2013 during Ireland’s recent Presidency. This was a world-wide forum with many countries, UN Organisations and NGOs present holding diverse views and objectives. It represented a major logistical and diplomatic challenge for Ireland which, with the European Commission, acted as lead negotiator...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Agencies Pension Provisions (18 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The details of the pension scheme used by the State agencies and commercial State companies under the aegis of my Department are an operational matter for the bodies concerned.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Expenditure (18 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The number of kilometres claimed and total travel expenses paid to the Minister of State and I since March 2011, is set out in the following table: Year Minister /Minister of State Number of Kilometres Travel Expenses Subsistence Expenses 2011 Minister Coveney 41,806 €14,448.84 €2,762.85 2011 Minister of State - Shane Mc Entee 42,171 €14313.98 €2,385.06...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Legislative Process (18 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The information sought by the Deputy is available on the Oireachtas website, , under the Seanad portal.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Staff (18 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: I have detailed the information requested in the following tables: Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney - Private Office (8 staff) Grade Salary at 1/7/2013 Salary at 1/7/2011 Private Secretary €57,745 €57,745 Special Adviser €103,200 €130,000 Special Adviser €81,676 €80,051 Political Adviser €49,790 €47,304 Executive Officer...