Results 22,021-22,040 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: I can assure the Deputy we recognise the existence of the Air Corps. We announced a permanent air ambulance service with the Health Service Executive just before this debate started. It is to be located, ironically, in a location that some people have expressed concerns about, concerns that, in my view, are not founded. I am more than aware of the role of the Air Corps and its...

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: That is not true. The Deputy is raising fears-----

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: We will have an opportunity to debate the defence White Paper again, I suspect. I hope Deputy Naughten will be part of that debate and I am sure he will be. I have repeatedly given commitments on Custume Barracks in Athlone. The numbers stationed there now are higher than they were under the previous Administration even though many people have said otherwise. We intend to ensure that...

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: That has been happening actively.

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy knows that they are misleading comments.

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is the one who is misleading the House.

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: I have no difficulty either but it has been ruled out of order so I cannot accept it.

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to present this Bill to the House. This is a short technical Bill. It was debated in the Seanad yesterday for 15 to 17 minutes or thereabouts. It provides for the inclusion in the Defence Act 1954 of an appropriate naval rank for the position of Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. I thank Members for facilitating...

Seanad: Seanad Public Consultation Committee Report on Farm Safety: Motion (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: Yes.

Seanad: Seanad Public Consultation Committee Report on Farm Safety: Motion (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: I thank the House for the invitation to attend and for devoting so much time to this issue. I congratulate Senators Denis O'Donovan and Martin Conway who acted as chairperson and rapporteur, respectively, for this report. I have read it and looked at the recommendations and will try to accommodate as many of them as possible. Some of the recommendations are already being implemented and I...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data Programme (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: Payments under the 2014 Beef Data Programme began to issue on 26 June 2015. Further processing was required on this particular case, which has now been finalised. Payment under the Scheme will issue shortly directly to the bank account of the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2014 Single Farm Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 25 March 2014. During processing of this application, a dual claim error arose in relation to one of the parcels declared. Following investigation it was established that the person named did not have the right to claim this parcel, which resulted in an over-declaration and consequently a deduction...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Correspondence (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: Bord na gCon is the 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. I regard it as important that representations are replied to as quickly as possible. I am advised by Bord na gCon that a sub-committee has been established to examine the matter involved. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Data (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: The data requested by the Deputy is detailed and complex and, therefore, it will take some time to compile all of the requested data. The LPIS Review was carried out during the second half of 2013. The findings of the Review were applied to 2013 applications under the Direct Payment Schemes. My Department is currently compiling the requested data in respect of the 2013 scheme-year. It should...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Superlevy Fine (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: The milk quota regime ended on March 31st. The abolition of milk quota presents a massive opportunity for the Irish dairy sector and one which we should look forward to with confidence. The fact that producers will face a super-levy bill in relation to the final year of the system is obviously unwelcome. However, the rules governing the imposition of a super levy were set by regulations...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Administration (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: The National Reserve in 2015 is based on 3% of the Basic Payment Scheme financial ceiling, which is estimated at providing approximately €24 million in funding. Based on the level of applications, with some 6,500 having been received, it is expected that there will be considerable demand on the National Reserve fund in 2015. From 2016 onwards there is no designated funding for the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Industry (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is responsible for the identification and registration of greyhounds in the Irish Greyhound Studbook. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon (BNG) under Section 26 (2) of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 (the Act). BNG is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Eligibility (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: The number of entitlements to be allocated to any one farmer under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015 is based on the number of eligible hectares the farmer declared in 2013 or 2015, whichever is lesser. The value of those entitlements is based on the total value of entitlements owned by the farmer in 2014 plus the value of any payment received under the Grassland Sheep Scheme in that year. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: Section 13 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997 sets down timeframes within which the Minister shall endeavour to determine an application for an aquaculture licence. However, in the absence of a commencement order, there is no statutory timeframe in force for the determination of applications for aquaculture licences under the Act. The commencement of Section 13 of the Fisheries...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Coveney: Under the provisions of Section 19A(4) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 a licensee who has applied for the renewal or further renewal of an aquaculture licence shall, notwithstanding the expiration of the period for which the licence was granted or renewed but subject otherwise to the terms and conditions of the licence, be entitled to continue the aquaculture or operations in relation...