Results 13,421-13,440 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Administration (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Under the Terms and Conditions of the Direct Aid Schemes, which includes the Single Payment scheme, farmers are obliged to declare only eligible land when making their applications and are to exclude ineligible features such as roads, buildings, farmyards, dense scrub, etc. These claims are then recorded on the Department’s Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). Given the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Payments (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) which were established on the basis of the old 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme are now closed for the receipt of applications. Over 10,000 grant applications were received from farmers under the various TAMS prior to the relevant closing date for each scheme. All eligible applications which were received by my Department by the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tax Code (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Officials from my Department have had discussions with the Department for Finance regarding the tax implications of the transfer of leased-out entitlements. It has been confirmed that, in accordance with tax law, this will give rise to a tax liability. I have written to the Minister of Finance outlining the situation and asking him to consider whether there are any options in this regard.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Reopening (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The proposed new agri-environment scheme GLAS (Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme) provides for a maximum payment of €5,000 for up to 50,000 farmers, and a further payment of up to €2,000 for a limited number of farmers who take on particularly challenging environmental actions. The proposed minimum contract is five years. Payment rates for specific actions have yet to be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Processing of the application of the person named under the 2012 and 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was recently finalised, following confirmation of compliance with a lower stocking rate than that of the Scheme minimum, due to restrictions under an Agri-Environment Plan. Payments under both years are due to issue to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2011 and full entitlements have issued in respect of the 2011 and 2012 Scheme years. During a 2013 inspection, the person named was found to have non-compliances in respect of the Coppicing of Hedgerows, Laying of Hedgerows and Alternative Water Source for Bovines actions....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2011 and full payments have issued in respect of the 2011 and 2012 Scheme years. The person named was selected for an on-farm inspection which took place on 11 September 2013. During this inspection, issues of non-compliance with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Under 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, eligible applicants’ holdings were required to have satisfied minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. The person named did not satisfy these minimum requirements....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 172 and 177 together. The Animal Health and Welfare Act, which I commenced last month, applies to all animals and imposes additional responsibilities on all owners of animals. With regard to the welfare of animals, the Act puts clear obligations on owners regarding the need to look after animals under their care. These relate to feed and drink, shelter...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Farming (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: My Department’s Engineering Division, in conjunction with the Marine Institute, conducted a survey at the site referred to by the Deputy at the first available opportunity and have provided preliminary scientific and technical reports to my Department. The very severe weather conditions experienced at the time of the incident referred to by the Deputy are well documented. At all times...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Farming (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: An application by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay was received by my Department in 2012. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement are being considered under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act. The assessment process will take full account...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: TB Eradication Scheme (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The holding in question was restricted due to a TB breakdown with effect from 22 March 2013. A total of 93 reactor animals were identified and removed during this breakdown. The herd has been de-restricted since 20 February 2014. However, a number of discrepancies were identified in the context of the restriction relating to identification of animals on this holding. Officials of my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 171 together. Market conditions in the beef and cattle sector are monitored on an on-going basis by my Department. Under Regulation 1249/2008, DG AGRI of the European Commission receives beef carcase prices from all Member States, including Ireland on a weekly basis. The European Commission chairs a Management Committee on Animal Products and the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together. As the Deputy will be aware, commercial enterprises in Ireland have benefited greatly from the introduction of the Single European Market, giving them tariff free access to a European market of almost 500m consumers. The free movement of goods and services within the Single Market means that Irish enterprises now have access to export...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: As a small trading nation, we depend on trade to drive our economy and have much to gain from free trade agreements. In that respect we have substantial offensive interests in the agreements being negotiated with the United States and also with Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. Of course we have defensive interests too – related primarily to our beef sector. Our strategy is to push hard...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Labelling (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Food production and labelling rules in the European Union operate in accordance with harmonised rules and member states controls are subject to audit and supervision by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the EU. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) under the aegis the Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety and labelling requirements in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Imports (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: International trade in agri-food products is a reality which we embrace as a general proposition, as a country with a strong export focus, it is clearly in Ireland's broader economic interests to ensure that there is a stable and balanced international trade environment. To protect animal and public health and in accordance with international trade agreements, the European Union (EU) has...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Data (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Single Payment Scheme - Payments under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme began issuing on target on 16 October. To date payments worth nearly €1.2 billion have issued to 122,659 applicants. An additional 631 applicants remain to be paid. All of those who have yet to be paid have been contacted by the Department in relation to various queries which must be resolved prior to payment being...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 to 182, inclusive, and 184 together. From the outset of the Common Fisheries Policy revision process, Ireland's overarching goal was to ensure a sustainable, profitable and self reliant industry that protects and enhances the social and economic fabric of rural coastal communities dependent on the seafood sector, while balancing these objectives with the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Market analysis predicts that medium term prospects for global dairy markets are good, with growth in world population and wealth expected to stimulate strong levels of demand for dairy products. More than 85% of Irish dairy production is exported and Ireland has access for dairy products to over eighty countries worldwide. Nevertheless I am working with industry to raise the profile of the...