Results 18,261-18,280 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: National Deer Cull (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to a Question last July 2014 (28157/14), responsibility for wild deer rests with my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under the Wildlife Acts. Officials from my Department provide on-going advice to keepers and their veterinary practitioners on disease control measures and bio-security in relation to wildlife, including deer,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bovine Disease Controls (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The farming community stands to gain approximately €100 million per annum from the eradication of BVD. Notwithstanding these gains which fall exclusively to the farming community, I have introduced a system of supports towards the removal of persistently infected (PI) calves. Earlier this year, in the context of the compulsory phase of the Programme now reaching its critical third...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Safety Scheme (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to say that there has been a high level of interest in the Farm Safety Scheme with over 6,200 applications received. To date over 4,200 approvals have issued to applicants to undertake work under the scheme and the local offices of my Department are querying further applications with farmers with a view to ensuring that as many applicants as possible undertake measures to improve...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 15thMay 2014. Issues were identified in relation to a number of parcels claimed by the applicant in 2013 and these are under review following an appeal by the applicant. This caused a delay in the processing of the 2014 application, however the 2014 application has recently been finalised...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse Racing Industry (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. The Racing Regulatory Body (Irish Turf Club) is a private body charged under the current legislation with responsibility for the integrity and the reputation of Irish racing in Ireland and Internationally. I have responded in detail to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Expenditure (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department acquires satellite imagery on an annual basis to facilitate the completion of remote sensing inspections under the Direct Payment and other area-based Schemes. This satellite imagery is provided free of charge by the EU Commission via the Joint Research Centre.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Foreign Naval Incursions (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), all vessels, including Naval vessels, have the right to innocent passage in territorial seas. Responsibility for the authorisation of visiting foreign Naval vessels to enter Irish ports rests with my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I have been advised that the Defence Forces are not aware of any...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (11 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: Under the Rural Development Programme for the 2014-2020 the following investments have been identified as priority areas to be targeted in the new TAMS scheme: (i) a young farmer capital investment scheme, (ii) dairy equipment, (iii) low emission spreading equipment, (iv) organic capital investment, (v) animal welfare and farm safety (specifically beef and sheep handling facilities) farm...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Payments (11 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: At the outset, I would like to welcome the fact that almost 27,000 applications were submitted in the first tranche of GLAS applications, which is very much in line with the projections I made when launching the scheme. The level of interest expressed in the new scheme has been remarkable. I should also say that the prioritisation of farms with clearly identified priority environmental...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (11 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The range of investment items included under the various TAMS measures was informed by the SWOT and needs analyses undertaken as part of the development of the new Rural Development Programme, as well as by an extensive consultation process with the various stakeholders. The funding of sheep fencing did not emerge as a priority from that process. However, I will keep the matter under review.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Eligibility (11 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department, in the context of delivering the Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas' Scheme and other area-based schemes, is required to carry out a comprehensive set of administrative and on-the spot checks to ensure scheme eligibility requirements were complied with. For exclusively owned land, a permanent fence will normally define the area to be measured. However, the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Eligibility (11 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: European Council Regulation 73/2009 state s that support under the Single Payment Scheme shall be granted to farmers upon activation of a payment entitlement per eligible hectare. An eligible hectare is defined as any agricultural area of the holding that is used for an agricultural activity. An agricultural activity is defined as "the production, rearing or growing of agricultural products...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon Inspections (11 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: Bord na gCon is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of greyhound racing under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958. It has specific powers conferred on it by the Greyhound Industry (Racing) Regulations 2007, S.I. 302 of 2007, which set out the detailed rules under which greyhound racing is conducted. Bord na gCon has confirmed to officials in my Department that its drug surveillance...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data Programme (11 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: All applications received under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme are currently being data captured. I expect that this process will be finalised shortly. My Department will make this information available to the Deputy as soon as possible after the initial data capture is finalised.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Herd Numbers (11 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: Under the new Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme introduced under the provisions of Rural Development Regulation (EU 1305/2013), which replaces the previous Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, applicants are required to adhere to certain eligibility conditions. The new Scheme requires in the first instance that applicants must hold a valid herd number issued by my Department or have applied for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (11 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: I have noted the 'Farm Income Review 2014', copied to me by the IFA earlier this year. Much of the analysis therein reflects similar analysis done by the Department, Teagasc and others in this regard. In relation to the CAP implementation issues which were raised in the Review: - The Single Payment Scheme was replaced by the Basic Payment Scheme and the Greening Payment in 2015. While...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon Staff (11 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: Bord na gCon is a commercial State body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, charged with the regulation and development of the greyhound racing industry. From 1stNovember 2014 all appointments to State Boards are made through the Public Appointments Service. At present there are four vacancies on the Board of Bord na gCon. My Department and the Board are currently working on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon Staff (11 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: I appointed Mr. Phil Meaney as chairman of Bord na gCon in April 2011. As the Deputy is aware it is Government policy in the case of those being proposed for appointment as chairpersons of state boards, that such persons will be required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas committee to discuss the approach which they intend to take to their role as chairperson and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon Staff (11 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: From 1stNovember 2014 all appointments to State Boards are made through the Public Appointments Service. At present there are four vacancies on the Board of Bord na gCon. My Department and the Board are currently working on role specifications for these posts taking into account the recommendation in the Indecon Report that skill sets of the Board should be enhanced in the legal, marketing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon Staff (11 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: Following the publication of the Indecon Report in July 2014, Bord na gCon submitted an action plan with timelines for implementing the 27 recommendations in the Indecon Report dealing with governance, finance, regulation and welfare. Bord na gCon has assured my Department that it has assiduously followed up on the undertakings included in its response to the Indecon Report. As part...