Results 21,481-21,500 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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June 2015 at which point 29,531 valid applications were received for the programme. 1,519 applicants have subsequently withdrawn from the Programme, a figure which amounts to 5% of all valid applications.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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (8 Oct 2015)

Simon Coveney: As of 01 October 2015, Ireland is contributing 494 Defence Forces personnel to 12 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the following tabular statement. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed, are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 195 personnel, the...

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

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible. The Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State. However, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence (2015) is to provide...

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

Simon Coveney: The resources available to the Defence Forces to carry out their operational commitments are kept under constant review. I am satisfied that the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps and Naval Service, have the necessary resources to meet these commitments. With regard to surveillance, the Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron carries out aerial surveillance of the Irish Exclusive...

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

Simon Coveney: Following a Government Decision on 12 May 2015, an Irish Naval Vessel, L.É. Eithne, was deployed to the Mediterranean on 16 May, 2015, to assist the Italian Authorities with the collective effort to save lives in the Mediterranean. L.É. Niamh replaced L.É. Eithne in July 2015 on completion of her deployment. L.É. Niamh has since been replaced by L.É. Samuel Beckett...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 to 118, inclusive, together. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 August 2015, the latest date for which figures are available was 9,082, comprising 7,337 Army, 726 Air Corps and 1,019 Naval Service personnel. The following table outlines the establishment, strength and vacancies of the Permanent...

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

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, I, along with my colleague Mr Brendan Howlin, T.D., Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, have accepted the findings of the Adjudicator’s Report in respect of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) claim under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme in relation to the service limits for Privates and...