Results 21,941-21,960 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Inspections (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: Under the Direct Payment Schemes my Department’s staff only enter farmer’s property on foot of an application under one or more of these schemes in accordance with the terms and conditions of that scheme. It is a condition of all such schemes that an applicant who submits lands as part of that scheme, grants permission to the Department to inspect all the lands submitted by that...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 560 and 561 together. Having witnessed dairy market developments affecting milk and dairy commodity prices in Ireland and the EU, I presented a paper offering possible solutions to both the EU Commissioner and my EU ministerial colleagues earlier this month. These were presented on the basis of my belief that they were appropriate for consideration by the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: The development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for me given the crucial role which the industry plays in supporting approximately 7,000 jobsincluding production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services. In 2014 export volumes increased by approximately 7%, with growth to the UK, Continental Europe and International markets. Export values increased by some 3% and are in the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Functions (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is committed to maintaining the highest standards of financial management and controls and to this end it is the policy of the Department to maintain and support a quality internal audit function. The Department’s Internal Audit Unit derives its authority from the Secretary General, in his capacity as Accounting Officer, to whom the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Contracts Data (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: It is not possible to provide this information in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Pension Provisions (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Acts 1923 -1980 (as amended). Its principal function is to investigate applications for disability pensions, allowances and gratuities under the Army Pensions Acts and to report its findings to the Minister for Defence.The Board consists of a chairman and two ordinary members (both medical doctors )....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Medals (22 Sep 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: Road Safety (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Military Police are responsible for ensuring good order and discipline within the Defence Forces and this role includes monitoring the speed of military service vehicles and the speed of all traffic within military installations. Speed checks are conducted outside of military installations on a regular basis by the Military Police but this is to detect the speed of military service...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: One of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power, which in practice means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. Pursuant to a request made by An Garda Síochána for the support of a Naval vessel, L.É. Ciara was deployed in the waters around Sceilig Mhichíl last week. No additional costs were incurred as a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Military Authorities that all ships in the fleet carry defibrillators. Training in the operation of this equipment is provided by approved in house instructors and all training is in accordance with PHECC (Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council) guidelines.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: Taking account of the impact of the Public Service Pension Reduction under the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Acts, there are currently twenty Permanent Defence Force (PDF) pensioners whose gross pensions before tax and USC are in excess of €60,000 a year. The requested information in respect of retired civil servants of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: Following a Government Decision on 12 May 2015, the Irish Naval Vessel, L.É. Eithne, was deployed to the Mediterranean on 16 May, 2015, to assist the Italian Authorities with the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean. During her deployment from mid-May to mid-July 2015, L.É. Eithne rescued a total of 3,377 migrants from the waters between Libya and Sicily. L.É. Niamh...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Functions (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Defence has a long-established Internal Audit Unit which operates in accordance with the Internal Audit Standards published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in November 2012. These Standards apply the Institute of Internal Auditors’ International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing across all Departments and other Vote...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts Data (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am advised that the total fees paid to private for-profit companies by my Department for outsourced services in the period September 2014 to August 2015 was €1.318 million.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts Data (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department is not responsible for the provision of any public services which have been outsourced.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Local Authority Leases (16 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: I understand that the lease in question is between the Tralee Oyster Fisheries Society and Kerry County Council (as successor of the Tralee and Fenit Harbour Commissioners) and is therefore a matter in which I have no statutory role.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Strategy Statements (16 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department is committed to implementing the priorities set out in the Programme for Government and in the Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016. These form the underlying basis of the work of my Department. The work of my Department is also driven by the objectives and strategies, goals and actions deriving from its Statement of Strategy 2015 – 2017. This is drawn in turn...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Payments (16 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: The following tables detail amounts paid up to end of December 2014 and to date in 2015 under 2014 Single Farm Payment Scheme and 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in counties Westmeath, Longford and nationally. Payments under both schemes continue to be made on an ongoing basis. 2014 Single Payment Scheme Payments County 2014: Amount Paid 2014 SPS 2015: Amount Paid 2014 SPS CARLOW...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheepmeat Sector (16 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: Under EU legislation, breeding and fattening sheep must be certified as having been continuously resident on a holding of origin for at least 30 days prior to export, including a "standstill" period of 21 days prior to export during which time no sheep have been introduced on to the holding.  A derogation applies where sheep introduced during the standstill period are completely isolated...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishery Harbour Centres (16 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: Pursuant to the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 (as amended), my Department has responsibility for the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, An Daingean, Ros An Mhil and Killybegs. Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is first and foremost a working fishery harbour and its primary objective is to provide for the needs of fishermen and the fishing industry...