Results 16,821-16,840 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reorganisation (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: A re-organisation of the Defence Forces was initiated by the former Minister for Defence in line with the Government’s decision to stabilise the strength ceiling of the PDF at 9,500 personnel. The consolidation of three under-strength Army Brigades into two full strength Brigades ensured that within the revised strength ceiling, the operational effectiveness of the Permanent...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The matter to which the Deputy is referring is the recent arrest and detention in Beirut by the Lebanese authorities of the alleged perpetrator of the murder of Privates Thomas Barrett and Derek Smallhorne and the attempted murder of Private John O’Mahony, while they were serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on 18 April 1980. The alleged perpetrator,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: UN Missions (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: At the request of the United Nations, following Government and Dáil Éireann approval, a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force has been deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights in Syria since 2013. The current Irish contingent, the 46th Infantry Group, is based in UNDOF Headquarters in Camp Ziouani. It operates in the role of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Security and Defence Co-operation (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) provides a framework for developing and furthering bilateral co-operation and relations between the Department of Defence and the UK Ministry of Defence. The MoU takes into account matters such as military forces training; exercises and military education; exchange of views on EU Common Security and Defence Policy; potential for joint contributions to UN...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: As of 1 February 2015, Ireland is contributing approximately 432 Defence Forces personnel to 11 missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas including the lead organisation for each mission are listed in the tabular statement attached. In addition to the personnel listed in the tabular statement there is one officer deployed to the Embassy of Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Following the closure of Columb Barracks, Government Departments and other Public Bodies were invited to identify any interest in the property. No such interest was expressed. Consequently a portion of the former barracks has been licensed by my Department to Westmeath GAA Board for use as a training centre. Discussions are at an advanced stage with the Board in relation to the possible lease...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Homeless Persons Supports (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Civil Defence is a statutory volunteer based organisation. Its principal role is to support the Primary Response Agencies, such as the Gardaí and the HSE, in dealing with emergencies. It is also involved in a wide range of community support activities. Responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with local authorities. The Deputy will be aware that on...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Aircraft (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland rests with the Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade in accordance with the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952. There is ongoing liaison between my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality regarding security matters generally. This includes such matters as...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Work is continuing on the development of a new White Paper on Defence. Working groups comprising civil and military representatives from the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are considering likely future operational demands and the defence capabilities required to meet these demands. This work will inform recommendations regarding future defence provision. A key part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The total strength of personnel in Custume Barracks at 31stJanuary 2015 was 1,006. Of this figure 940 personnel were in appointments associated with the units stationed in Custume Barracks and 66 personnel were attached to Custume Barracks while on courses of training, including recruit training. In addition to this figure Defence Forces personnel are, from time to time also temporarily...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named is an applicant under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme 2010. A Department review of the non-productive capital investment claims submitted by applicants was undertaken in 2014. This review identified irregularities with documentation submitted for reimbursement in some of these claims. A full Department investigation is now underway into this matter and the application...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data Programme (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Beef Genomics Scheme was launched in 2014. The person named submitted an application under this Scheme on 19 March 2014. The validation of this application has recently been finalised and any outstanding payment will issue to the applicant as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data Programme (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Beef Genomics Scheme was launched in 2014. The person named submitted an application under this Scheme on 19 March 2014. The validation of this application has recently been finalised and any outstanding payment will issue to the applicant as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2014 Single Payment/Disadvantage Area Scheme was received from the person named on 8 April 2014 with a declared area of 15.30 hectares in respect of the 17.90 entitlements held. The 50% advance payment under the Single Farm Payment issued on 16 October 2014 and the balancing payment issued on 1 December 2014, without any deductions, to the nominated bank account of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The recent announcement of Irish beef gaining re-admittance to the US market was the result of significant political, technical and diplomatic efforts by my Department, Bord Bia and Irish Embassy in Washington DC. It was a collaborative effort which has borne fruit, with Ireland being the first European country to regain access to the biggest beef market in the world. The US beef market...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: 2014 was undoubtedly a very challenging year for the beef sector but despite the difficult market environment, the value of overall beef exports rose slightly to €2.27 billion. The volume of beef available for export was approximately 530,000 tonnes whilst average prices fell by around 11%. The volume of beef destined for the UK (up 9%), Continental Europe (especially Italy,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Price volatility has been a significant feature of agricultural commodity markets including beef in recent years. In Ireland, average prices rose steadily from €3.22 a kilo at the start of January 2011 to an unprecedented peak of over €4.40 per kilo in June of 2013. They subsequently declined to €3.51 in September of 2014 before recovering to the current price with...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Harvest 2020 Strategy (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am confident that the industry developed targets set out in Food Harvest 2020 are attainable and can be met. As the Deputy is aware, the main targets in the Food Harvest report are by 2020 to increase the value of: - Primary output in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector by 33%; - Value added production by 40%; - Agriculture, food (including seafood) and drink exports by 42%;...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The information sought in respect of the various sectors is set out under the headings. Beef The prospects for the beef sector have improved significantly after a difficult year in 2014. Since September, average prices have risen by over 15% and now stand at €4.05, exclusive of VAT, for R3 Steers. This price is 5.5% higher than the same period last year and is also ahead of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry Development (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides the framework for the long term sustainability of fish stocks around our shores, the continued economic viability of our fishing fleet and fish processing industry while supporting our families and communities that depend on the sea for their livelihood. A key element of the new CFP is the setting of fishing levels on the basis of MSY...