Results 17,921-17,940 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (14 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 113 together. I believe that a successful conclusion of the trade negotiations between the EU and US for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership will be good for the Irish agri-food sector and will increase our exports. Ireland has strong offensive interests in these trade negotiations, particularly in the agri-food sector. We are seeking...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (14 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The facilities at the central laboratory complex in Backweston and at regional laboratories are capable of meeting the vast majority of my Department’s analytical and diagnostic requirements. While DAFM Laboratories have the capability to carry out most of the tests in these areas, for cost efficient reasons, some low volume, highly specialised reference test methods that are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry Development (14 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 120 together. BEEF I am pleased to note that prices at the end of last week have increased 15% since last September and are now 8% higher than in the same point in 2014. Current beef prices in Ireland stand at 106% of the EU15 average. As of the end of last week, the average prices paid (excluding VAT) for an R3 steer stood at €4.08/kg and an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (14 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The milk quota regime ended on March 31st. Planning for the post-quota period has been ongoing amongst all stakeholders for a number of years and I believe we have the right balance of measures in place to ensure that Irish dairy farmers can enter the new era with full confidence. With respect to the impending super levy, flexibility has been secured from the European Commission for farmers...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (14 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: One of the main policy changes agreed in the 2013 reform of the Common Agricultural Policy was to give Member States the flexibility to redistribute EU direct payments between farmers with a view to ensuring a fairer and more equitable distribution of these payments. This flexibility allowed Member States to even out anomalies in payment levels while ensuring that the level of redistribution...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports (14 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The primary indicator of the competitiveness of this country’s food and beverage exports on world markets is the performance of those exports in recent years. The sector’s exports have performed strongly in the last five years, reaching an estimated €10.45 billion in 2014 and consolidating the sizeable increases seen annually since 2010. These have seen the value of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Equine Industry (14 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department has introduced a number of regulations in recent years designed to improve the traceability of equines, including horses. The regulations apply equally to thoroughbred and non-thoroughbred horses. With regard to the identification of equines, Commission Regulation 504 of 2008, which sets down the implementing rules relating to the methods of identification of equines, has been...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (14 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department and Bord Iascaigh Mhara continue to monitor employment in the seafood industry through CSO statistics and other information gathered by BIM in the course of their work with the industry. On 27 March 2015, I announced plans for a new €241 million development programme for the seafood sector for the period up to 2020, co-funded by the EU through the European Maritime and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Discards (14 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The dumping of “surplus catch”, or “discarding” as it is most commonly referred to, is a complex global problem where unwanted catches are returned to the sea as a result of a number of factors including quota restrictions, high grading, minimum landing sizes and market conditions. Ireland has been to the forefront for many years in the drive to reduce and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Consultancy Contracts Data (14 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the total amount of expenditure on consultancy by my Department since 2011 is set out in the table below. My Department is always mindful of the costs involved in engaging consultants. External consultants are engaged only when there is a clear need for specialised expertise and following a rigorous examination of skills and resources...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare Expenditure (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department has had extended correspondence with the person referred to by the deputy in relation to this matter and has explained the position to him on many occasions. In addition, HRI and the Turf Club have confirmed to my Department that they have fully examined all matters under their remit in respect of this issue, and that they have apprised the person concerned of the outcome. My...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheep Technology Adoption Programme Eligibility (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named, although a participant in the 2014 Sheep Technology Adoption Programme was not included in a return (Form STAP3) by his discussion group facilitator indicating compliance with the terms and conditions of the Programme. Accordingly, he was not considered for payment. To date no appeal has been received in this matter. Furthermore the medical evidence mentioned has not been...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Eligibility (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2013 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 18 April 2013. Payment has not issued to the person named as, at this stage, the holding concerned has not satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. The person named was informed of this decision in writing on 30 January 2014 and advised of the option to appeal...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named was one of a number of applicants under the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, whose cases are impacted by the requirement of a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011 and who applied for and was refused for derogation in this regard. The person named was notified of the outcome in writing and advised of the option to appeal to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: Officials in my Department have examined the case of 2014 Single Payment Scheme application of the person named. As the parcel in question was afforested in 2014 and has been deemed eligible for aid under the Afforestation Scheme it can be considered as eligible land under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme. My Department is now arranging to update the 2014 Single Payment Scheme application of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Penalties (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2013 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2013 and payments issued on 16 October 2013, 2 December 2013 and 30 September 2014 respectively under the Single Farm Payment Scheme and a payment issued on 27 September 2013 under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Commonage Land (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department is carrying out a review of the findings of the inspection of the commonage parcel in question. On completion of this review, direct contact will be made with all of the claimants involved advising them of the outcome of this review.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Inspections Reports (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: EU Regulations governing the Direct Payment Schemes and other area-based schemes requires my Department to carry out on-the-spot checks on a number of farms covering such issues as eligibility under the schemes and compliance with Cross Compliance requirements, as set down in EU legislation, and the standards for Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC). These inspections are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishery Harbour Centres (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: Pursuant to the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 (as amended), my Department is responsible for the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, An Daingean, Ros an Mhíl and Killybegs. Charges for the use of facilities and services at each of the Fishery Harbour Centres are levied by virtue of the Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates & Charges) Order...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Expenditure (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: In line with normal practice, the person concerned was asked in December 2014, through the local State Solicitor to whom he had submitted his initial claim, to provide a breakdown of the fees claimed along with supporting documentation. My Department has not received the requested material to date. On receipt of this, the matter can be progressed.