Results 18,521-18,540 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

White Paper on Defence: Statements (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: For the record, the Minister for Defence currently has the marine portfolio.

White Paper on Defence: Statements (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: We are not proposing to change it, as I have just outlined. Why is the Deputy focusing on something that is not changing?

White Paper on Defence: Statements (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: They are not being driven out.

White Paper on Defence: Statements (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: That is what we have done.

White Paper on Defence: Statements (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: They will do it again if they have to.

White Paper on Defence: Statements (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The reduction in numbers happened under the previous Government.

White Paper on Defence: Statements (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy should not mislead the House.

Business of Dáil: Motion (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: I move:That notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, the House shall adjourn at 11.10 p.m.

White Paper on Defence: Statements (Resumed) (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: I thank all the Deputies who have contributed. I do not agree with some of the comments but I accept that people are making contributions in a spirit of trying to impact on what the outcome of the White Paper will look like. I will do what I can to take on board as many suggestions as possible that we have heard. I will not go through each suggestion because if I did that I would only...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Bodies (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 300, 301 and 336 together. As I previously said in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 495 of 9 June 2015, I am satisfied that arrangements for corporate governance oversight of agencies under the aegis of my Department are appropriate. I also re-iterate my statement on the independence of the performance of the functions of Sea-Fisheries Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Control of Dogs (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: One of the primary purposes of the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015 is to speed up the reunification of stray dogs with their owners. Therefore scanning dogs for microchipping is a normal procedure for dog pounds when stray dogs are presented. The obligation to check for the identity of the owner of a dog is already contained in the Control of Dogs Act 1986 which requires that a dog...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: TAMS Administration (30 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 4,600 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...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: Bord na gCon is a commercial State body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. The question of works on tracks is a matter for Bord nag Con. Bord na gCon has informed me that tracks are regularly upgraded and improved to enhance the standard and spectacle of racing.  In...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: On-farm Investment Schemes (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to say that I have just announced the opening of the new TAMS II Dairy Equipment Scheme yesterday, 29 June 2015. This is the second of the new Targeted Modernisation Schemes (TAMS II) to be launched under the new Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020. An indicative allocation of €50m is being made available under the terms of this Scheme over the full RDP period. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Data (30 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. All GLAS applications will now be assessed and approved in line with the priority environmental assets and pre-determined selection criteria. As applications are classified...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Applications (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 17 May 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections be completed to confirm eligibility under the schemes. The application of the person...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Penalties (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: In order to comply with EU requirements, the 2013 Single Farm Payment application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. This inspection identified discrepancies between the area declared and the area found resulting in an over-declaration in area of greater than 50%. Based on the terms and conditions of the scheme this resulted in no payment in respect of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013 is a legal instrument with wide application and potential use by a wide range of authorised officers in a wide variety of settings. Therefore local authorities, An Garda Síochána and my Department are empowered to take prosecutions in a summary manner. Over fifty prosecutions have been initiated under the Animal Health & Welfare...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grassland Sheep Scheme Payments (30 Jun 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2013 Grassland Sheep Scheme was received from the person named on 10 May 2013. Initial processing identified errors in respect of the commonage lands as claimed which have now been resolved with payment due to issue shortly, to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: TAMS Administration (30 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 measure: - young farmer capital investments, - dairy equipment, - low emission slurry spreading equipment, - organic capital investment, - animal welfare and farm safety (specifically beef and sheep handling facilities) farm nutrient storage...