Results 11,821-11,840 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: Afforestation grants are processed in two stages, commonly known as technical approval and financial approval. In the Autumn of each year, there is a limited opening of the second stage, that is financial approval, to those who have already received technical approval and are ready to plant, once the weather and other conditions are suitable for planting - usually within the late Autumn or...

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

Simon Coveney: The agri-food and beverage sector plays a very significant role in national economic development. It currently accounts for 7.1% of national gross value-added and 8.6% of employment. It has an annual turnover of €25 billion and its gross output of €20 billion comprises 21% of Ireland’s total industrial gross output. Between 2008 and 2012, the sector’s contribution...

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

Simon Coveney: Under Articles 101 to 109 of the Treaty for the Functioning of the EU, the European Commission, together with national competition authorities, are responsible for the enforcement of EU competition rules. Within the Commission, primary responsibility for direct enforcement rests with the Directorate-General (DG) for Competition. The Council of Ministers has no function in this regard. In...

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

Simon Coveney: Under the EU/Canada Trade agreement initialled last month by President Barroso and the Canadian Prime Minister, Canada was awarded a tariff rate quota for beef of 50,000 tonnes carcase weight equivalent. This equates to a quota of 39,000 tonnes of boneless beef. The quota is split between fresh/chilled beef comprising 31,000 tonnes, plus the existing 4,000 tonnes quota as part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Parking Charges (14 Nov 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, - 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 plan, and - in order to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences Applications (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: Article 43 of the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Regulation requires that Member States prepare a multiannual national strategic plan for the development of aquaculture activities in their territory. That article provides that “the multiannual national strategic plan shall include the Member State's objectives and the measures and the timetables required to achieve them”. ...

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

Simon Coveney: Under the EU/Canada Trade agreement initialled last month by President Barroso and the Canadian Prime Minister, Canada was awarded a tariff rate quota for beef of 50,000 tonnes carcase weight equivalent. This equates to a quota of 39,000 tonnes of boneless beef. The quota is split between fresh/chilled beef comprising 31,000 tonnes, plus the existing 4,000 tonnes quota as part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Alternative Farm Enterprises (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: Hemp fibre and seed are used to produce a wide range of commodities including food and beverage products, fibreboard, insulation, paper, composites, textiles, carpets, animal bedding and feed, cosmetics, body-care products, soaps, paints, fuels, and medicines. The growing of hemp requires a licence from the Irish Medicines Board (under the auspices of Department of Health). Hemp grown...

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

Simon Coveney: The keeping of mink is subject to licensing by my Department under the Musk Rats Act, 1933, and the Musk Rats Act, 1933 (Application to Mink) Order, 1965. There are four mink farm operators currently licensed. Licences are subject to a number of conditions, including the requirement to ensure that maximum steps are taken to prevent the release of mink. Among those conditions are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Inland Fisheries Stocks (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: The new CFP Reform, for the first time, introduces a regionalised approach to fisheries management. We have moved away from the old system of an EU decision making approach centralised in Brussels. The new policy puts fishermen at the core of developing conservation measures for fisheries in which they are involved and also makes specific references to taking account of the needs of small...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Policy (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Rural Development Programme for Ireland has an allocation of €4.83 billion for the period 2007 – 2013 to fund various support schemes in the agricultural sector under the principles of competitiveness, improvement of the environment, land management and the development of the wider rural economy. Support for agricultural development in less favoured areas (LFAs) forms an...

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

Simon Coveney: Payments under the Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other area-based schemes may be made only in respect of eligible land and applicants are obliged annually to declare the land parcels available to them; details of the eligible area of the land parcels are recorded on my Department’s Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). Details of the use and area claimed...

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

Simon Coveney: The CAP Reform package which I negotiated contains elements which could impact on those farming commonage lands. However, I am awaiting the adoption of EU Commission delegated acts; it is expected that discussion on these delegated acts will be concluded before year-end. The issue of stocking levels on Commonages and the approach necessary to address what is recognised as a very complex...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Parcel Review (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: As you are aware my Department is bound, under EU Regulations, to maintain the accuracy of the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) which underpins the direct payments. At the start of each year, my Department issues colour maps of all land parcels declared by farmers in the previous year together with a covering letter. In that letter, farmers are clearly informed of the need to...

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

Simon Coveney: With processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas Scheme having recently been completed, payments will shortly issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Appeals (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named registered 20 animals under the 2012 Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme. Following the completion of the validation process, twenty were eligible for payment. A set of twin calves was born to a cow in this herd in 2012 and as payment is made for each cow only one payment can be made in respect of the twin calves. The remaining animal is ineligible for payment based on information...

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

Simon Coveney: While an application under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2013, no payment is due as the person named does not hold any Single Payment entitlements.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: Payment under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme has not yet issued to the person named as the holding has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. As soon as the holding concerned is confirmed as having met these requirements, the case will be further processed with a view to payment at the earliest possible date thereafter.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Programme Funding (14 Nov 2013)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159, 170 and 171 together. 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...

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

Simon Coveney: The person named is an applicant under the Single Payment and Disadvantaged Area Schemes. In order to meet EU requirements, the application concerned was one of a number which was selected for satellite inspection. The inspection and related processes are nearing completion and the application concerned will be progressed immediately on completion. In the event that any queries arise...