Results 19,481-19,500 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Department, in accordance with the recommendations of the Beef Activation Group, carried out a re-calibration trial on the mechanical beef grading system in 2013/14. This trial was conducted strictly in accordance with EU rules and was overseen by the Department with a panel of international experts. In addition, Teagasc acted as an independent body designated by the Department to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The November 2014 Beef Round table discussions resulted in a comprehensive agreed package of measures to further develop the beef sector and included commitments for all parties including processors, farm organisations, my Department and various state agencies. As part of that package, agreement was reached between MII and farming organisations that processors would not impose any price...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Administration (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Department is finalising the processing of GLAS applications. Confirmation that the AEOS contract has been terminated will be sought from farmers and my officials expect to be in a position, by early November,  to provide a definitive figure for the number of farmers who terminated their Agri-Environment Options Scheme contracts in order to join GLAS.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together. Payments were withheld arising from suspected interference with a TB test and, since the person concerned has initiated legal action, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Legal Cases (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The court case the Deputy refers to related to a farmer from Cavan. Following on from the case, my Department carried out a review into certain aspects of the case. I can confirm to the Deputy that a copy of the report was provided to a member who had made representations on the herd owner’s behalf.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Commonage Land (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department has recently compiled a database of Commonages throughout the country, which is publicly available on the Department’s website and is regularly updated.  Most of the information requested by the Deputy can be freely obtained from this database, which can be accessed through the following link: ]. In this database, all commonages are listed in county order,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Eligibility (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: There is no change to the list of rare breeds eligible for support under GLAS, and this list includes Dexter cattle. The full list of eligible rare breed animals is comprised as follows: Connemara Pony, Kerry, Moiled and Dexter cattle, Irish Draught, Kerry Bog Pony and Galway Sheep. The conditions for qualifying as a rare breed are very strict and I have no plans to add any additional breeds...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Genetically Modified Organisms (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The opt-out provisions to restrict any currently authorised/pending GMO for cultivation is provided for in Directive (EU) 2015/412 which falls within the remit of my colleague Mr. Alan Kelly TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Directive allows for Member States to effectively ban crops “during the authorisation procedure of a given GMO or during the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Eligibility (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: On the basis of the plans submitted for the 27,000 applications received to date under Tranche 1 of GLAS, it is clear that we have already met or exceeded our targets for the entire RDP period for some GLAS actions. These include the Low Input Permanent Pasture action and the Planting of New Hedgerows. For this reason, it is proposed to adjust the provision for the Low Input Permanent...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data Programme (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: Under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme all participants will have to attend general scheme training by the end of October 2016. This training will focus on how participants can best complete the actions under the scheme, while also maximising the potential benefits which the scheme can offer to the their farm. Ireland’s Rural Development Programme specifies that this training will...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data Programme (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The closing date for the Beef Data & Genomics Programme was 5 June 2015 at which point 29,531 valid applications were received for the programme. 1,519 applicants have subsequently withdrawn from the Programme, a figure which amounts to 5% of all valid applications. This withdrawal rate is in line with previous Suckler Schemes run by my Department. Indeed in recent weeks the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data Programme (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme, and will involve a budget of some €300m over a six year period. The BDGP is intended to improve the quality of the national suckler herd and deliver an accelerated improvement in the environmental sustainability of the beef herd through the application of genomics technology. To...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data Programme (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme, and will involve a budget of some €300m over a six year period. The BDGP is intended to improve the quality of the national suckler herd and deliver an accelerated improvement in the environmental sustainability of the beef herd through the application of genomics technology. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department is currently examining approximately 400 cases that submitted invoices from one particular company to verify and support claims under the non-productive capital investment action of AEOS. It is known that in some cases the invoices submitted were for greater amounts than actually paid by the participants. Funding provided under the scheme comes partly from the EU and partly...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Payments (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2015 Basic Payments/Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 20 April 2015. Processing of the application under the ANC scheme has recently been finalised. Payment is now issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named. In relation to the Basic Payment Scheme and Greening Payment, I am pleased to confirm that...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Deployment (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. The number of occasions per month this...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Medals (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware the provisions for the award of military medals are incorporated in Defence Force Regulations A9 (New Series) - 'Dress and Medals'. The Regulations provide that a recommendation for the award of the Distinguished Service Medal must be made and forwarded to the Chief of Staff not later than four years after the performance of the act in respect of which the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and the Naval Service will be considered in the context of the lifetime of the recently published White Paper. The White Paper recognises that there are several new and or enhanced platforms to be procured. In the context of the Air Corps fleet, this includes the replacement of the Cessna fleet with three larger aircraft suitably equipped for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Strength (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Government are committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Air Corps at the agreed establishment figure of 886. The current strength of the Air Corps (as of the 31st of August, 2015) is 726 whole time equivalent positions. I am informed by the military authorities that 10 Air Corps cadets have been inducted to date this year and that 25 Air Corps apprentices will be enlisted...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Training (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am informed by the military authorities that the Air Corps regularly trains with other Defence Forces personnel, particularly in areas such as helicopter drills and landing area preparation. The Air Corps conducts both Military and Technical Training which ensures that it can meet all on- island operational commitments, support the Defence Forces in preparation for overseas deployments and...