Results 14,621-14,640 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney
- Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: I am well aware that commonage farming does not operate in such a way that everybody contributes the exact same level of stocking rate. That would be a nonsense. There are some very active farmers in commonage areas and some less active farmers. However, in order for farmers to qualify for a single farm payment, they will have to have some stock in the commonage area for which they are...
- Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: One must have some stock. Otherwise one is effectively getting a payment for not farming.
- Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: Some stock.
- Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: Can I get this right? Is Deputy Ó Cuív suggesting that farmers who are not farming on land would draw down payments on that land?
- Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: That is what he seems to be suggesting. They are putting stock onto a piece of land somewhere else but they are drawing down payments on a commonage area in which they are not involved in farming.
- Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: If we were to take that approach, when it was audited by the Commission we would have another LIPIS-type issue on our hands whereby farmers would be drawing down payments on land in which they are not involved in farming. We must have a minimum level of agricultural activity in the commonage areas where farmers are drawing down payments and we should be able to manage that in a way that...
- Other Questions: TB Eradication Scheme (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for asking the question. I know it is an issue of concern to her and I wish to give her a detailed answer to it. The wildlife policy, which is a component of my Department’s TB eradication programme, has been developed in response to research which has demonstrated that the eradication of the disease is not a practicable proposition until the reservoir of...
- Other Questions: TB Eradication Scheme (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: I do not condone or in any way support the illegal killing of badgers in a way that is not licensed, controlled and monitored by my Department. I share Deputy O'Sullivan's views on the matter. It is important to note that culling badgers is only a part of a TB programme that has been extraordinarily successful in Ireland. We have less TB in Ireland now than at any time since 1953 when...
- Other Questions: TB Eradication Scheme (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: I reassure the Deputy that only last week I asked my Secretary General to examine the issue and to try to fast-track a vaccination programme for badgers if it could be done credibly. However, I will not undermine the efforts we have made over many years-----
- Other Questions: TB Eradication Scheme (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: -----until we are sure we can do it in a way that keeps the positive momentum in the existing TB eradication programme, which has been extraordinarily successful. Ultimately, we want to eradicate TB from Ireland in badger populations and in cattle populations. There is not a problem with badger numbers in Ireland. The cull will not compromise badger numbers. We have a healthy badger...
- Other Questions: TB Eradication Scheme (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: Ultimately-----
- Other Questions: TB Eradication Scheme (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: If Deputy Healy-Rae was listening earlier, which I doubt he was-----
- Other Questions: TB Eradication Scheme (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: -----I explained the trials we are running at the moment, which are showing credible results in the area.
- Other Questions: TB Eradication Scheme (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: Deputy Healy-Rae should not make a joke of the matter.
- Defence Forces Mission on the Golan Heights: Statements (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: Since 1974, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, has successfully supervised the implementation of the disarmament agreement maintaining an area of separation between Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights. An infantry group of 130 personnel deployed to the UNDOF mission with the approval of Dáil Éireann in September 2013. It acts as a force reserve...
- Defence Forces Mission on the Golan Heights: Statements (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: The UNDOF mission is not about the Syrian conflict.
- Defence Forces Mission on the Golan Heights: Statements (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: Our troops are not in the middle of that.
- Defence Forces Mission on the Golan Heights: Statements (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: The Deputy should be careful with what he is saying. Our troops are not going into that.
- Defence Forces Mission on the Golan Heights: Statements (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: There are families listening to this debate. The Deputy should be careful in what he is saying.
- Defence Forces Mission on the Golan Heights: Statements (23 Sep 2014)
Simon Coveney: I am being very careful.