Results 22,821-22,840 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Plant Protection Products (27 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive establishes a framework for European Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides by setting minimum rules to reduce the risks to human health and the environment that are associated with pesticide use. It also promotesthe use of integrated pest management. The Directive is designed to further enhance the high level of protection...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Premium Payments (27 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The application by the person named for payment under the Afforestation Scheme has recently been received in my Department. However, supporting documentation, including satisfactory proof of ownership, has yet to be submitted. A request for this information has issued to her registered forester and processing of the application will resume when this is received.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Installation Aid Scheme Eligibility (27 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: On 1 April 2015 officials from my Department met with a group representing farmers under the age of 40, who established their holdings prior to 2008 and who hold low value entitlements.  Following the meeting my Department carried out analysis to establish the total number of farmers in this group. It was established that this group comprises some 3,900 farmers. While it is possible to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon Inspections (27 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: Bord na gCon is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of greyhound racing under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958. It has specific powers conferred on it by the Greyhound Industry (Racing) Regulations 2007, S.I. 302 2007, which set out the detailed rules under which greyhound racing is conducted. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (27 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. Unlike many other national armed forces, the Defence Forces have no restrictions as regards the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties. All promotions and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Records (27 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department has reviewed its records in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy and I can confirm that the information provided has been noted and recorded.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Emergency Planning (27 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: I chair the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which includes senior officials of Government Departments, senior officers of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces and officials of other key public authorities, which have a lead or support role in Government emergency planning. The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning meets on a regular basis. The next...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (27 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The tables below set out the strength of the Permanent Defence Force as of 31 March, 2015, the latest date for which figures are available, across all three services and ranks, broken down by gender. The figures provided are for whole time equivalent posts. Army Rank Male Female Total Lieutenant General 1 0 1 Major General 2 0 2 Brigadier General 6 0 6 Colonel 33...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve Strength (27 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The tables below set out the effective strength of the Reserve Defence Force as of 31 March, 2015, the latest date for which figures are available, in both the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve broken down by rank and gender. Army Reserve Rank Male Female Total Lieutenant Colonel 5 0 5 Commandant 40 0 40 Captain 82 3 85 Lieutenant 162 30 192 Sergeant...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Council Meetings (27 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The next informal meeting of Defence Ministers will be hosted by Luxembourg as part of their Presidency of the EU Council and will take place on the 2nd and 3rd September, 2015. The agenda has not yet issued but it is expected that Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Missions and Operations and progress following the European Council meeting on Defence, in June 2015, will be discussed.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (27 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: As of 25 May 2015, Ireland is contributing approximately 500 Defence Forces personnel to 12 missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas including the lead organisation for each mission are listed in the tabular statement attached. In addition to the personnel listed in the tabular statement there is one Officer and one NCO deployed to the Embassy of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (27 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service. Targeted recruitment has taken place so as to maintain the level of 9,500 personnel and to ensure the operational capacity of the Defence Forces. As the Permanent Defence Force is currently below the agreed...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (27 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: Primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order rests with An Garda Síochána. The Defence Forces, pursuant to their role of rendering Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP), assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. The Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams respond when a request for assistance is made by An Garda Síochána in dealing...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (27 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: In 2014, Asbestos Containing Materials were discovered to varying degrees on five Naval Service ships: L É Ciara, L É Orla, LÉ Aoife, L É Eithne and LÉ Aisling. The discovery of the Asbestos Containing Materials, commonly referred to as ACMs,on the Naval Service ships was treated by the Department of Defence and the Naval Service with the upmost seriousness with the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (27 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: Officials from my Department recently met with the CEO and an official from Kildare County Council. The discussions centered on a number of issues including the Department’s future plans for Magee Barracks. Regarding the allocation of part of the Barracks for community use, the position is that following the closure of the Barracks in 1998, it was agreed that the entire site would...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (27 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: In June 2012 a Memorandum of Understanding was agreed between my Department and the Department of Health in relation to Air Corps’ participation in a pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service operating out of Custume Barracks, Athlone. From the commencement of the pilot EAS service until 24 May 2015 the Air Corps has completed a total of 998 missions of which 68 were from Co....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bioenergy Schemes (26 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Bioenergy (Willow) Scheme 2015 was launched in March 2015 and closed for applications on 30 April 2015.  The objective of the scheme is to provide establishment grants to farmers to grow willow to produce biomass suitable for use as a renewable source of energy so as to contribute to meeting renewable energy targets and stimulating the local economy. The Scheme is funded entirely...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (26 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 14 May 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on farm inspections be completed to confirm eligibility under the schemes. The application of the person named was selected for a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Herd Numbers (26 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: As expected, there has been a considerable increase in activity in regard to herdnumbers arising from the new Basic Payments Scheme negotiated in the context of CAP reform. As a result, there has been a significant increase in applicants to my Department’ s Regional Veterinary Officess for new herdnumbers and amendments to existing herdnumbers and these are being processed as quickly...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (26 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: I presume that the Deputy is referring to an incident in Athenry mart last February. The allegations of animal cruelty and neglect at the mart were investigated by officials from my Department at the time and were dealt with appropriately. The suggestion by the Deputy that animals were left in a stressed condition without food and water is unfounded.