Results 12,221-12,240 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Reports (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: Coillte has been the subject of a number of reviews over the last number of years. The review of Coillte, to which the Deputy refers, is one which was undertaken on foot of a commitment in the previous Government’s Renewed Programme for Government. It is not my intention to publish the outcome of that review, as that particular review exercise was superseded by the analysis undertaken...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department is keeping the horse welfare situation under review and, in particular, the need for additional welfare measures. However, there is no evidence of a major welfare problem in the horse sector at present due to the relatively high level of horse slaughterings this year and the very good weather well into the Autumn, which has created a very favourable fodder situation. My...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Offences (12 Dec 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 prosecution of fisheries infringements are carried out on behalf of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Herd Numbers (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: I am fully aware of the issues facing beef producers at present, and despite the budgetary constraints in which I and other Ministers must operate, I recently announced a package of Budget measures designed to assist in improving the long-term profitability of a vulnerable sector that is particularly reliant on direct payments. While suckler cow numbers have remained relatively stable since...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: Recent issues in relation to abuses of animal welfare, particularly in the case of horses, highlight the need for intervention before animal welfare is threatened. My Department, in conjunction with the local authorities and the Garda are adopting a pro-active approach in relation to animal welfare and, in recent weeks have seized 82 horses in the Cork city area. While a small number of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Marketing Programme (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: In the second half of 2013 I undertook trade promotion and inward investment visits to Switzerland, the United States, the Gulf States and Japan. These resulted in the following developments in access to these markets. Japan announced the opening of its market to Irish beef. This is a very prestigious market worth some €12 to €15 million annually. In regard to the United...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: I believe that the proposals presented by the European Commission in the CAP reform package are very positive in relation to the Organic Sector. For the first time in the Common Agricultural Policy there are provisions set out under Article 30 of the current draft Rural Development Regulation to support the conversion to or the maintenance of Organic Farming practices and methods. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: The trade mission to Nigeria took place from 13 to 15 November last. It was organised by Enterprise Ireland and led by my colleague Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello. The visit was part of a wider programme that also encompassed South Africa. The overall aim of the visit was to develop trade in this important emerging market in Africa. Nigeria is the most populous...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Programme Funding (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: Under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007 - 2013 over €4.8 billion is currently allocated to fund the support measures under the Programme. Various co-financing rates have applied at different times and to different measures over the course of the RDP. However, up to late November 2013 there had been total expenditure of €4.03 billion, of which €2.27 billion was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Household Incomes (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: While there are no plans to extend the current REPS 4 Scheme I am pleased to say that the revised CAP 2014 – 2020 gives priority to agri-environment schemes and requires that the new Rural Development Plan must include an agri-environment scheme. The process for the introduction of new schemes under the revised CAP is well underway. I am, of course, conscious of the financial...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Administration (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2013. He was the subject of a cross report from this Department's ERAD Division on 24 October 2013 that detailed cross compliance breaches concerning the identification and registration of bovines and significant issues concerning animal welfare. These breaches...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st November 2010 and full payments have issued in respect of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Scheme years. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: As processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Disadvantaged Area Scheme has recently been finalised, payment will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: The penalty applied in this case is as a result of a multi-annual sanction applied to a 2012 ground inspection as required under the terms and conditions of the scheme. The outcome of the ground inspection was appealed by the person named to The Agriculture Appeals Office and the decision was to uphold the original inspection result. A letter detailing the multi-annual sanction will issue...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: In the time available it has not been possible to provide the information requested. The material is being compiled and will be sent directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: There are a total number of 29,240 persons eligible to be paid under the 2013 REPS4 Scheme. A total number of 14,113 persons have been paid their 2013 REPS4 to date. Payments are continuing on a daily basis. There are currently 13,746 farmers active in AEOS 1 and 2. A total of 9,308 of these farmers have been paid in respect of the 2013 Scheme year. Payments are continuing on a daily...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Applications (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) form part of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme. I have, therefore, no plans to extend the current closing date and farmers must lodge an application with my Department on or before 31 December 2013 in order to be eligible for grant-aid under the TAMS. However, the TAMS Sow Welfare Scheme has been extended to the end of February...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: As it is not possible to compile the full information requested in the available timescale, I am arranging for it to be provided directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Commonage Framework Plans (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: The report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture is a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate regarding the issues surrounding commonage lands, the views of the various stakeholders having being sought and considered by the Committee. As I have indicated previously, while it is generally accepted that this is a very complex matter and requires a very detailed action plan to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (12 Dec 2013)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 192 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 (RDP) under Pillar 2 will be a key support in enhancing the...