Results 11,801-11,820 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: I have met the North East Pylon Pressure, NEPP, group a number of times. Many good people are involved in it. I was involved in long hearings at committee level that examined the different technologies, potential alternative solutions and the costs involved. This is not an easy issue to resolve. Anyone who pretends it is, that we could put everything underground and that there would be no...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Electricity Transmission Network (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: There is a difference between a direct current line and an alternating current line, which is what the grid must be. If one takes electricity from A to B without needing to take any power from that infrastructure between those two points, one can use a direct current line. It is much easier to put direct current lines underground. We do it all of the time. Alternating current, which is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: We are in a process and, before the end of the year, as I have said repeatedly, we will provide full clarity concerning the pillar 1 and pillar 2 payments. Pillar 1 is more straightforward and I have outlined my views on it many times. Some issues need to be decided upon, including whether we introduce a level of coupling, whether to transfer money between pillars, and the levels of support...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: I am not sure how long I have to answer these questions. The Deputy has asked four or five questions that require detailed answers. Let me start with the last one.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: We have had the debate on variable versus flat rate greening. My view on this, for which I campaigned at European level, is that a country should have the option for what is called variable greening. In my view, that will ensure all farmers will have the same incentive to implement the greening requirements.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: It is not the first time the Deputy has heard it.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: It is the same percentage incentive.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: If the Deputy wants to keep talking we will run out of time, but if he wants to listen to the answer I will give it to him.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: The European Commission refers to what is called a 30:30 greening obligation on farmers. That means that 30% of pillar 2 moneys will be guaranteed to be spent on environmental schemes, and 30% of a farmer's payment will be withheld unless he or she passes the greening criteria. If somebody is on €400 or €500 per hectare versus someone on €150 per hectare, one needs the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: Farmers know the consequences of the MFF, as we have been very upfront and transparent about it. The Deputy is repeating negative messages to try to upset people. The MFF negotiations were a significant success. We limited the reductions in direct payments to about 3%. Two years ago, people were talking about reductions of 30%, so the Taoiseach did a great job in protecting Common...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: I cannot give figures on pillar 2 because we have not yet decided on that. It is not my decision alone. It is my decision along with the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and their Departments. We need to put expenditure in place for the next three years and I need an expenditure commitment for the next seven years. I assure the Deputy that I will be...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sugar Industry (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: No one would be happier than me to see the sugar industry back in Ireland again. I have delivered many tractor-loads of sugar beet into what was a viable and profitable beet factory in Mallow. I have produced beet and have a reasonable understanding of that industry. Along with many others, I was sceptical and critical of how that industry ended in Ireland. I do not believe the question of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sugar Industry (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: People should not underestimate just how positive a sugar industry is for agriculture. It is a great crop and a cash crop for farmers that is not reliant on payments and subsidies. If we can rebuild this industry, we should do it. My understanding is that approximately half if not two thirds of the hectarage of sugar beet that was grown when we had a sugar industry is still grown in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sugar Industry (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: On a point of information, a Cabinet meeting has been called this morning, which I have to attend for approximately 15 or 20 minutes. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, will deal with some the questions while I am away. I will return for the remainder of oral questions, if possible. I appreciate the understanding of Members in this regard.

EU-IMF Programme: Statements (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: We changed it.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Missions Participation (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: Last month, I led the largest ever Irish agri-food trade delegation of 35 companies to the Gulf States of Qatar, United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with representatives from the meat, dairy, seafood, beverages, bloodstock and agri-services sectors and government bodies. The trade mission was organised by my Department, with the assistance of Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse Racing Industry Funding (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: Indecon Report Indecon Consultants were commissioned by my Department to undertake a review of certain aspects of the Irish horse racing industry. The terms of reference provided to Indecon did not extend to the greyhound racing industry. The Indecon Review consisted of an in-depth analysis of the legislation, governance structures, funding and management of the horse racing industry in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: The European Council agreement on the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) provides a total of €2.19bn, or some €313m per year, for Ireland under Pillar 2 of the CAP for the period 2014 - 2020. The development of a new Rural Development Programme under Pillar 2 will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving more sustainable management...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Communications (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: On my appointment as Minister I was struck by the range, variety and complexity of work carried out in this Department and the importance of communicating this important work to a wider public. Corporate Affairs Division of my Department is responsible for the communication of information to the public, and this is done through a variety of methods including speeches by Ministers, press...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare Issues (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: Horses can be slaughtered for human consumption subject to a number of conditions, including that they have been registered within six months of birth or by 31st December of the year of birth whichever is the later, have not have been treated with any prohibited veterinary medicines and are accompanied to the slaughterhouse by the horse passport. This latter requirement is an essential part...