Results 20,801-20,820 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: State Bodies (19 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not established any new State bodies or agencies since February 2011 and there are no new public bodies currently being planned. There are no State bodies or agencies subject to a sunset clause under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (19 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: For security and operational reasons, it would not be appropriate for me to provide the details sought in the question.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (19 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: This Unit is officially designated 'Sciathán Fianóglach an Airm', which is normally translated into English as 'The Army Ranger Wing'. In the recently published White Paper on Defence, the Government has committed to further enhance the capabilities of the Army Ranger Wing, in particular with the aim of increasing the strength of the unit considerably. As the Army Ranger Wing is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Equipment (19 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Air Corps’ fleet consists of eight general purpose helicopters comprising six Agusta Westland AW139 and two Eurocopter EC135 aircraft. Each AW139 helicopter is certified to carry a maximum of 14 personnel including crew. Each EC135 helicopter is certified to carry a maximum of seven personnel including crew.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Data Protection (19 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: There have been no instances where legislation was introduced by the Minister for Defence, which contained a provision amending the Data Protection Acts to allow for the transfer of personal or other data collected, retained and processed by the State for a particular purpose towards another specific purpose from 1stJanuary 2000 to date.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: State Bodies (19 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: No new State bodies or agencies have been established under the aegis of the Department of Defence since the Government took office in March 2011 . The only State Board currently under the aegis of the Department of Defence is the Army Pensions Board.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (19 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: The requested information in respect of civil servants of the Department of Defence or civilian employees employed with the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.   As regards members of the PDF, there are two distinct sets of defined benefit occupational pension schemes in place (including associated spouses and children’s...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I think most people know what the formalities are in respect of the horse and greyhound racing fund. I will be happy to answer questions from members following my presentation. The most recent estimates available suggest the horse and greyhound racing industries underpin over 24,000 jobs and stimulate approximately €1.6 billion in economic output. The industries receive financial...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I will deal with the matter.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: There are several busy racetracks along the west coast.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: Perhaps I could respond quickly to some of the Senators' questions before they leave. On harness racing, I have much sympathy for the case made by the Irish Harness Racing Association. I have met its representatives and I did ask that harness racers be facilitated in Dundalk and they were. The Irish Harness Racing Association is an affiliate of Horse Sport Ireland rather than Horse Racing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: We need to understand what lies behind this. The racing industry is a hugely valuable one. Racetracks run important events. There needs to be a conversation between the harness sector and horse racing sector so that each understands that tracks can be used without damage being caused to the turf or the surface. I have asked Horse Racing Ireland to have that conversation with the harness...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: It receives about €5 million, half of which it gets from us and the other half from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Deputy should not forget that there are multiple disciplines, including ponies, eventing, showjumping and dressage. There are other demands to be met, including Connemara ponies in the west to putting Olympic teams together. We have been increasing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: For the first time it has also facilitated the holding of an event on one of the top tracks.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: We will intervene again, but-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I understand the issue involved, but to be fair to HRI, the Irish Harness Racing Association is not affiliated to it. It is an affiliate of Horse Sport Ireland.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: That is fine, but what is happening for the first time is a conversation between the Irish Harness Racing Association and HRI. The conversation got off to a slow start, but it is now developing and we should give it an opportunity to develop further, rather than put HRI under pressure and say we will not give it any money until it does X, Y and Z for the harness racing industry. I can speak...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I might not be able to attend next week.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am sorry, but this is not about HRI giving it money because we must ensure the funding allocated for the equine industry is fair and proportionate. We have a fund to fund the horse racing industry which at present does not incorporate harness racing. Harness racing is included in the sports horse sector.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2015: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Simon Coveney: We changed that.