Results 14,101-14,120 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, I invited key stakeholders, including farm organisations, beef processors and relevant state agencies, to a round table discussion on the future development of the beef sector on 17 April and held a second meeting on 3 June. This initiative was intended to provide a useful forum for all the main players in the industry to engage positively and present constructive...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Reports (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: A review of certain matters relating to Bord na gCon has been commissioned by my colleague the Minister of State, Mr Tom Hayes, TD. The aim of this review is to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to facilitate the growth and development of the greyhound racing industry into the future. The review encompasses the policy, governance and regulatory framework and the financial...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: A wide cross section of individuals was invited to attend the conference, including some members of animal rights groups. A member of National Animal Rights Association was invited to the conference but chose not to attend, while the President of Irish Council Against Blood Sports was in attendance. Delegates from the Hunting Association of Ireland were also in attendance.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: I understand that the matter to which the Deputy refers is being investigated by An Garda Síochána and the investigation is ongoing. Like all activities on the public road, sulky racing is governed by the Road Traffic Acts and imposes an obligation pursuant to these acts on the person engaged in this activity to drive their vehicles with due care for other road users and not to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: Under the provisions of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 the regulation of coursing is chiefly a matter for the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon, which is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry, greyhound racing and coursing. The ICC has confirmed that it has systems in place...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: Horse owners have a duty to ensure the welfare of horses in their ownership and/or their care and to dispose of them appropriately. On a regulatory level, local authorities have responsibility under the Control of Horses Act, 1996 for dealing with straying and abandoned horses. My Department makes a contribution to local authority towards implementation of the Act and in this regard local...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Expenditure (18 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: It is not possible to provide this information in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (18 Jun 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 was notified of this in April 2014. Following resolution of the outstanding issues, payment was recently processed. Payment totalling €16,140.19 issued dated 16 June and I expect it to be in the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (18 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st 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 be non-compliant in respect of the Coppicing of Hedgerows, Laying of Hedgerows and Alternative Water Source for Bovines...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Appointments to State Boards (18 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: Since May 2011, a notification has been placed on my Department’s website inviting expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. On 21 May 2014 an updated list of board vacancies was placed on my Department’s website. I have also advertised the State Board vacancies in the national newspapers....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Appeals (18 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Agriculture Appeals Office received an appeal from the above mentioned on 8 January 2014. The appeal was acknowledged and a request was sent to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for the Department file and a statement on the issue. The Department file was received on 21 May 2014 and was assigned to an Appeals Officer. As an oral hearing has been requested in this case,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Plan (18 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (RDP) will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas. The proposed measures for inclusion in the new RDP were the subject of extensive stakeholder consultation and the resultant public feedback informed...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Payments (18 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The final consultation on the draft Rural Development Programme (RDP) has just recently closed and work on the costed elements of the GLAS Scheme, which form the basis of the payment rates, is well advanced. I expect to be in a position to make an announcement in this regard in the very near future, before I submit the proposals to the European Commission.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Administration (18 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The governing regulations identify key priorities that must be addressed in the design of the mandatory agri-environment measure under the terms of the new Rural Development Programme. These include Halting Biodiversity Decline, Maintaining Water Quality and Combating Climate Change. A balance between these priorities must be delivered and the proposals for GLAS reflect an appropriate...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Administration (18 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: A key element of the new strategy for managing commonages under GLAS is the development of a collective approach, where the majority of shareholders come together to manage the land in the best interests of the broader environment. GLAS is an environmental scheme and all measures proposed under that scheme must make a clear contribution towards better environmental management of agricultural...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Eligibility (18 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: My Department published a consultation paper on the new Rural Development Programme in January 2014. In the case of TAMS II, the paper set out a number of priorities, including further support to encourage investment in the dairy sector in view of the forthcoming abolition of milk quotas; an enhanced scheme of grant-aid for young farmers; investment in low-emission slurry-spreading...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Eligibility (18 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: No decision has yet been taken on the maximum investment ceilings which will be applicable under the proposed new schemes for TAMS II. Final decisions in relation to the treatment of partnerships under these new Schemes also remain to be taken.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Eligibility (18 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: GLAS (the Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme) is part of a suite of proposed measures under the new Rural Development Programme (RDP). I will be submitting the draft RDP to the European Commission within the next few weeks and I would hope to secure formal approval in time to roll-out the new GLAS Scheme for applications before the end of this year. The regulations allow for up to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Applications (18 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The information requested by the Deputy is being collated at present and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (18 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: To date, a total of €57.68m has been paid in respect of REPS4 this year. The budget for 2014 for REPS is €117m, so there remains a balance of €59.32 m to spend under this scheme to the end of the year. The following table sets out the payments made under AEOS 1, 2 and 3 in 2014 to date and the proposed amount to pay before the end of the year. Scheme Paid to date...