Results 11,061-11,080 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Soil Fertility (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: Research has shown that a high proportion of Irish soils may be deficient in either phosphorus, potassium and other plant nutrients, which means that production may be limited on these soils. It is important to note that low pH (low lime levels) is also an issue on Irish soils and can reduce plant uptake of phosphorus. Phosphorus and nitrogen application rates are controlled by the Nitrates...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: EU Meetings (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Presidency meeting to which the deputy refers took place in Vilnius from 10-12th September 2013 - the previous such meeting having taken place in Dublin Castle in March 2013. The meeting involved EU Member State authorities (including ministries, services, agencies, etc.) responsible for matters of forest policy, to discuss and update themselves on the most relevant forestry issues at the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: EU Meetings (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The main topic for discussion at the informal meeting was the future of family farming in the context of globalisation. Discussion was based on a paper prepared by the Lithuanian Presidency which posed questions to Member States concerning the ways in which EU and national governments could enhance sustainability and support innovation, the most appropriate mechanisms for transmission of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Advertising Expenditure (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The vast bulk of the Department’s advertising consists of press notices in the specialised farming press, provincial newspapers and national daily newspapers. This includes the publication of Statutory Notices that are required to comply with various national and EU legislative requirements. Other media such as television and radio are rarely used. Decisions on the placement of notices...

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

Simon Coveney: The details of the fees paid and Statutory provision for the appointment of Board members to the Boards of the twelve State Bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are outlined in the following table. The issue of expenses paid to members of State Boards is an operational matter for the body itself. Body/Agency Statutory provision for appointment of Board members by Minister...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1179 and 1180 together. The details requested of the twelve State Bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are outlined in the following table. Body/Agency Number of Board Members Chairperson Vacancy (Currently) Board Member Vacancies (Currently) Anticipated Chairperson Vacancy in next 6 Months Anticipated Board Member ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Milk Quota Cessation (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The EU milk quota regime will end on 31 March 2015. This decision was made in the context of the 2008 CAP Health Check. Ireland strongly supported the abolition of the milk quota regime on the basis that quotas were widely regarded by both the Irish dairy sector and market analysts as a brake on the potential of the Irish dairy sector to respond positively to market opportunities. The...

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

Simon Coveney: The EU/Central American Trade negotiations were concluded in May 2010 and on 29 June 2012, the EU Trade Commissioner and his counterparts in Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama) signed an Association Agreement. On 11 December 2012, the European Parliament approved the agreement to apply to EU relations with Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama as of 1...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Organic Farming Action Plan 2013 - 2015 has four main objectives; increase the production base in Ireland, with a view to replacing where possible imports with Irish organic produce, promote awareness of the potential export market, seek to develop sustainable export markets for Irish organic produce as supplies become available and to identify issues which are impeding the growth of the...

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

Simon Coveney: An application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 5 December 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: - farmers in the Boora region of Co. Offaly who chose...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Alternative Energy Projects (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: Applications for approval to transform animal by-products (ABP) into biogas or compost must meet the requirements of the EU ABP Regulation (EC) 1069 of 2009. I understand the applicant in this instance, who has received first stage approval-in-principle, advised my Department some time ago that he was in the process of finalising permits and financing. No correspondence has been received...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Inland Fisheries Ireland Investigations (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: In relation to Pilot Complaint 764/09/ENVI, my Department forwarded all relevant material to the EU Commission, including material supplied by Inland Fisheries Ireland. In addition, the EU Commission arranged for Inland Fisheries Ireland to make a direct oral presentation of its position at a meeting with the Commission on 19 December 2011 at which my Department was also present. Following...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbour Authority Properties (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for the operation and management of the six Fishery Harbour Centres including Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre. The Fishery Harbour Centres were set up by virtue of the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 (as amended) and their primary objective is to provide for the needs of fishermen and the fishing industry generally. There are no plans to invest in or develop...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Penalties (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is referring to farmers, who submitted maps with their 2010 Single Payment Scheme applications, outlining ineligible features which required to be excluded from the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). My Department is currently carrying out a complete review of the applications of farmers, who had an exclusion processed in respect of the 2009 SPS scheme-year and were written...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Funding (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The 2014 Estimate for my Department will be considered within the context of the gross expenditure ceilings that were allocated to all Departments for the period 2012 -2014 under the Government’s Medium Term Expenditure Framework. The Government decision in relation to the expenditure ceilings was taken in order to strike a balance between needs and priorities on a multi-annual basis,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted an application to transfer the single payment entitlements of her late brother to her by way of inheritance under the 2012 scheme year. She also submitted a copy of his will and death certificate and a letter from her solicitors advising that the Grant of Probate was not yet available. Officials from my department have requested the outstanding information on two...

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

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1 September 2011. 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 completed before any payment can issue. The person named was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Alternative Energy Projects (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The formulation of policy regarding energy generation, including bioenergy, is a matter in the first instance for my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, T.D. As regards anaerobic digestion, in 2007 my Department approved grant-aid for development of ten anaerobic digesters under the National Development Plan. To date, only one of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Penalties (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: Officials in my Department are collating the data requested by the Deputy and will forward it directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Inspections (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department, in the context of delivering the Direct Payment Schemes, is required to carry out on-the-spot inspections on a number of farms covering such issues as eligibility under the Scheme, compliance with EU legislation in the areas of the environment, food safety, animal health and welfare and plant health and ensuring that the farm is maintained in good agricultural and environmental...