Results 14,181-14,200 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Island Communities (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: In recognition of the additional obstacles faced by those farming on off-shore islands, including transport costs, I have decided that an additional, top-up, payment should be made available under the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (heretofore known as the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme). My intention is to include this proposal in the draft Rural Development Programme 2014/2020, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Identification Schemes (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No. 1760/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000, which established a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and the labelling of beef and beef products, defines a “keeper” as any natural or legal person responsible for animals, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, including during...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: I have not received any representations on this matter. However I have asked my officials to investigate the extent of the trade in this activity and report back to me in the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: There are a number of sources of information on the beef industry that are publically available, including animal births, prices, slaughter figures, carcase classification and farm income. Some of this information comes from my Department and others from different State agencies. Within the publications on my Department’s website under the beef pricewatch heading, there is a wealth...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named does not currently have an outstanding overpayment with this Department. She did, however, have approximately €4,000 deducted from her 2013 Single Payment advance in respect of a Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) overclaim. She subsequently appealed to this Department and the original decision was upheld. She was advised of the option to further appeal this...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: Since I first proposed the 80% participation level on Commonages to qualify under Tier One of GLAS, I have further reviewed the position and I announced on 13 May 2014 that I was building in a second-tier access to the Scheme where a minimum of just 50%participation could be secured. The collective agreement will apply only to active farmers. I believe this will significantly ease the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Fisheries Policy Review (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: Following months of intense lobbying and negotiation, I announced on 12 June 2014 that I had secured €148 million from the new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund for the period 2014 to 2020 for the development of the Irish seafood industry and the coastal communities that depend upon it. This funding is more than double the amount that was available to Ireland during the last Common...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Fisheries Policy Review (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The EU Regulation establishing the European Maritime and Fisheries, published on 20 May 2014, requires Ireland to prepare an Operational Programme in order to avail of co-financing from the Fund. Following months of intense lobbying and negotiation, I announced on 12 June 2014 that I had secured €148 million from the new Fund for the period 2014 to 2020 for the development of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: My Department has met with circus representatives and with representatives from the ISPCA and the DSPCA to discuss the use of animals in circuses and to prepare a Code of Practice for circuses to be adopted under Section 25 of the new Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. I have no plans to introduce a ban on the use of animals in circuses but I am keeping the matter under review.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Milk Quota Trading Scheme (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 to 424, inclusive, together. As the Deputy is aware, my Department has carried out investigations into allegations that milk collections from a milk supplier were credited to another milk supplier which was facilitated by the milk purchaser concerned. Where allegations of non-compliance are made, my Department investigates such matters to ensure that...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 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 payment can...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Legal Costs (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 426 to 428, inclusive together. As the Deputy is aware, the agriculture and food sector contributes significantly to the Irish economy, not least because of the reputation that our produce has earned in the marketplace from the perspective of food safety and integrity. This reputation arises as a direct result of the high level of compliance from...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: On-farm Investment Schemes (24 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 consultation paper set out a number of priorities for on-farm investment schemes under the new Programme. These included, in the poultry sector, the upgrading of facilities in the areas of renewable energy, water and medicines. I intend to include further details...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon Administration (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: Following on the completion of an open public tender competition commissioned by my colleague the Minister of State, Mr Tom Hayes, TD, independent consultants were appointed to undertake a review of certain matters relating to Bord na gCon. The terms of reference for this review were as follows: The successful Tenderer, building on the Dalton Report and having regard to the measures taken...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (24 Jun 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 Scheme year. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Harvest 2020 Strategy (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The development of the Irish Whiskey sector has been a key export success story for Ireland. Exports are showing double digit growth and a resurgence in demand is making Irish Whiskey the fastest growing premium spirits category globally with premium brands leading the way. In 2013, over 6.2 million 9-litre cases of Irish Whiskey were exported to over 100 countries. Irish Whiskey embodies...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (24 Jun 2014)

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

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: EU Issues (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Most Deprived Scheme has been managed by my Department for a number of years and participation in the scheme has steadily increased since 2007. Over the period 2007 to 2014, some €5m worth of product has been distributed in 1.8 million individual parcels to those most in need. The 563 charities who participated in the scheme this year availed of cheese, rice and butter. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Commonage Framework Plans (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: Commonage lands form an important part of the farming enterprises of many farmers, in addition to being crucial from the point of view of bio-diversity, wildlife, amenities and tourism. However, there is a real risk of land abandonment as under-grazing becomes more of a problem. Farming of commonages is a complex matter, with issues about the legal right to claim, in addition to regular...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Commonage Framework Plans (24 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: Commonage lands form an important part of the farming enterprises of many farmers, in addition to being crucial from the point of view of bio-diversity, wildlife, amenities and tourism. However, there is a real risk of land abandonment as under-grazing becomes more of a problem. Farming of commonages is a complex matter, with issues about the legal right to claim, in addition to regular...