Results 13,441-13,460 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: Principal Officers and Assistant Principal Officers in my Department do not have access to official cars to assist them in carrying out their duties. When such officers use their private cars for official purposes, the Department processes expenses claims in accordance with protocols set down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I am not aware of any complaints lodged with my...

Seanad: Beef Industry: Motion (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: More people are entering farming now than has been the case for 20 years.

Seanad: Beef Industry: Motion (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Senators for raising this issue. I accept it is a genuine issue. Some of the things said by Senator Byrne are not borne out in the marketplace, but I accept there is a significant issue that the industry must tackle, particularly with regard to bull beef. There is an over-supply of animals that are outside the specification that is predominantly sought by retail supermarkets in...

Seanad: Beef Industry: Motion (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: That is the function of the Competition Authority. It applies to this sector the same as to any other sector.

Seanad: Beef Industry: Motion (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I understand I can reply.

Seanad: Beef Industry: Motion (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The heifer has just given birth.

Seanad: Beef Industry: Motion (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I did that.

Seanad: Beef Industry: Motion (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: It was for under 20 month beef, though. No one was encouraged to produce 22 or 24 month beef.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Legal Cases (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: This case relates to a claim in respect of a 1997 Supreme Court Judgement on the implementation of the Milk Quota Regulations which ruled that the Minister erred in failing to establish a National Reserve allocation for farmers who operated in special circumstances (e.g. developing farmers). The claim involved over 200 farmers but a settlement ruling by Ms Justice Laffoy in March 2001 was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Quotas (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I will take it that this question concerns mackerel. After extensive and lengthy consultations during 2009 and 2010, the then Minister introduced new management arrangements for polyvalent mackerel in November 2010. Mackerel allocations were made available to vessel owners based on track record from the two best years 2007, 2008, 2009. The policy sets out that 13% of the national...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1 May 2013. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. These checks are well under...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Eligibility (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that one of the land parcels declared, contained ineligible features. The person named has lodged an appeal. The case is under review at present and a decision is expected shortly. The applicant will be informed of the outcome of the appeal in the coming days.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Under the Terms and Conditions of REPS 4 scheme, the contract area must be retained for the duration for which REPS is payable over the course of the contract. Due to an overdeclaration of basic area in this case of 0.57 hectares, which was notified to the participant in January 2013, the Department imposed the following reductions and penalties as an overclaim amount in this case. Under the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tax Exemptions (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I have on-going contact with the Minister for Finance to ensure that tax policy reflects the Government’s commitment to agriculture and, in particular, to the objectives of smart, green, growth outlined in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. A review of tax measures in the farming sector, a joint initiative between my Department and the Department of Finance, was announced in Budget 2014...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Semi-State Bodies Mergers (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: One element of the Government Decision of 19 June 2013 in relation to Coillte was that a robust analysis be carried out to evaluate how to give effect to a beneficial merger of Coillte with Bord na Móna to create a streamlined and refocused commercial state company operating in the bio-energy and forestry sectors, as committed to in the Programme for Government. NewERA is undertaking a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Meetings (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The monthly whitefish meetings are organised in accordance with a formal written protocol which I put in place in November 2013. This protocol provides that the Committee will comprise representatives from each recognised Producer Organisation (PO), the Irish Fish producers and Exporters Association (IFPEA), the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Department. The meeting will be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Development (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres, which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department. My Departments Engineering Division are actively progressing the development of the Small Craft Harbour in Killybegs and a planning application was lodged with Donegal County Council on 19 December 2013. In the interim a wave monitoring buoy and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Severe Weather Events (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The severe weather conditions which Ireland experienced in the first weeks of this year affected communities around the country. Farmers located in the west and south of the country as well as farmers whose lands are adjacent to significant rivers were particularly badly affected by flooding. I outlined the support measures my Department put in place to assist farmers who had welfare concerns...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Forest Holders who suspect that the productive potential of their forest property has been impacted by sea water should consult with forestry professionals either in Teagasc or with their local professional forester. A qualified forestry professional can meet with owners on-the-ground and advise on the most appropriate course of action (if any) depending on the extent of the flooding\salt...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Appeals (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Under the Terms and Conditions of REPS4, the contract area must be retained for the duration for which REPS is payable. Due to a reduction in the contract area in this case over the course of the REPS4 contract, a clawback amount of €3,529.92 was applied. A letter informing the person named of the clawback issued, also advising of the opportunity to appeal the decision if desired. The...