Results 11,181-11,200 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Direct Payment Regulation which will take effect from 2015 gives Member States the option to grant Coupled Support to farmers. Such support is restricted to a specified list of sectors which includes cereals, protein crops, potato, milk and milk products, sheep-meat and beef. In addition such support may only be granted in circumstances where any such sector is undergoing certain...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Payments (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the difficulties which the pig sector is facing and the potentially negative impact of the end September 2013 deadline for completion of work under the Sow Welfare Scheme. However, EU Commission approval is required for an extension to this deadline. I am in consultation with the EU Commission for an extension to this deadline. Such an extension, if approved, would, of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Inspections (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 89 together. My Department, in the context of delivering the Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other area related schemes, is required to carry out an annual round of inspections covering both the eligibility of the land declared to draw down payments and also cross compliance aspects, to ensure adherence with EU regulatory...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 81 together. After an in-depth process of consultation and negotiation that was initiated in 2011, the Council of Ministers, the European Parliament and the Commission reached agreement on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy under the Irish Presidency on 26 June 2013. The agreement provides a framework for the continuing application of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences Applications (24 Sep 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: Single Payment Scheme Applications (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: Payments under the Single Payment Scheme may be made only in respect of eligible land and applicants under the Scheme are obliged annually to declare the land parcels available to them. Details of the eligible area of the land parcels are recorded on the Department's Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). Details of the use and area claimed for each of some 900,000 eligible land parcels...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry Issues (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: I published a detailed report on the "Equine DNA and Mislabelling of Processed Beef Investigation" on 14th March 2013, which provides extensive details on the investigation and the actions taken by my Department. Operations in a total of four plants were suspended (in some cases on a voluntary basis) for varying periods arising from the investigation. My Department is actively considering...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare Issues (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The National Parks and Wildlife Service officers do not come within the scope of my function. The Deputy will be aware that under the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965 responsibility for prosecutions rests with An Garda Síochána. If the Deputy wishes to forward details of a specific case involving animal cruelty, my Department will be happy to examine the evidence and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The timing of the Single Farm Payment is of critical importance to farmers and the wider rural economy, given that it represents in excess of €1.2 billion of the €1.6 billion that is paid out annually in direct aid. The SFP forms a significant part of the annual income of farmers in Ireland; in many cases it is used to subsidise the running costs of the farming enterprise and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse Slaughtering Issues (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: Under EU law, responsibility for compliance with food safety and traceability requirements rests in the first instance with food business operators. This is augmented by official controls, applied at different stages in the food supply chain. My Department implements official controls in relation to horse identification at marts and other sales venues, in abattoirs under its supervision and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Development (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The House will be aware that I have been considering introducing a charge for parking facilities within Howth Fishery Harbour Centre for some time for the following reasons: - to assist in operating Howth Fishery Harbour Centre on a financially-sound basis, - to provide a source of revenue for further investment in Fishery Harbour Centre facilities, - as part of an overall traffic management...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Inspections (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department, in the context of delivering the Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other area related schemes, is required to carry out an annual round of inspections covering both the eligibility of the land declared to draw down payments and also cross compliance aspects, to ensure adherence with EU regulatory requirements in the areas of public, animal and plant health,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Penalties (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: It is not possible to provide this information in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: In light of the difficulties experienced by farmers in sourcing fodder supplies, earlier this year I announced the allocation of funding for an imported fodder transport scheme, designed to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage (hay, silage, haylage) from outside the island of Ireland. The aid substantially covered the cost of transport into the country, thus reducing the cost to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Inspections (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department, in the context of delivering the Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other area related schemes, is required to carry out an annual round of inspections covering both the eligibility of the land declared to draw down payments and also cross compliance aspects, to ensure adherence with EU regulatory requirements in the areas of public, animal and plant health,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Programme Funding (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: Under the Rural Development Programme 2007 - 2013 [RDP] a total of €2.9 Bn of EAFRD funding was allocated at programme level. This was subsequently allocated at axis level under the programme financial plan. Since the launch of the RDP, expenditure under the programme has amounted to close on €3.74bn. This represents close on 77.6% of the total value of the Programme which is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Conditions (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: Preparatory work for the next Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014 - 2020 is well underway. Under the current draft Rural Development Regulation, my Department must undertake an ex ante evaluation, a public consultation, a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) a needs assessment, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and an appropriate assessment (AA) in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grant Payments (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Direct Payment Regulation which will take effect from 2015 gives Member States the option to grant Coupled Support to farmers. Such support is restricted to a specified list of sectors which includes cereals, protein crops, potato, milk and milk products, sheep-meat and beef. In addition such support may only be granted in circumstances where any such sector is undergoing certain...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be fully aware of the importance of payments made under the Single Payment Scheme, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other Direct Payment Schemes to the annual income of Irish farmers. My Department is bound, under EU Regulations, to maintain the accuracy the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS), which underpins the processing of applications under these Schemes as well...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Agencies Staff Data (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The total number of staff working in Teagasc on 1st January for each respective year is as follows: Year Number (fulltime equivalents) 2011 1,296 2012 1,189 2013 (end August) 1,134 The distribution of staff is an operational matter for the Teagasc Authority to determine. Accordingly, the Deputy may wish to contact Teagasc directly for a more detailed reply.