Results 22,881-22,900 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Stock Conservation (26 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: I presume the Deputy is referring to the transitional financial assistance currently being provided to fishermen since the introduction of a maximum landing size of 127 mm for lobsters on 1 January 2015. The Lobster (Conservation of Stocks) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 591 of 2014), which I signed into law in December 2014, concluded the roll-out of changes to lobster conservation measures which I...

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 applications to my Department’s Regional Veterinary Offices for new herdnumbers and amendments to existing herdnumbers and these are being processed as quickly...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data and Genomics Programme (26 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: In order to meet the programme objectives, it is necessary that all participants in the BDGP undertake a training course which inter alia will provide them with information regarding the optimal use of breeding indexes. The use of this data is a key driver of efficiency and profitability at farm level. In accordance with Procurement Regulations, my Department will be inviting service...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data and Genomics Programme (26 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 416, 420, 422 and 425 together. The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme and will provide suckler farmers in Ireland with funding of some €300 million over the next 6 years. The BDGP builds on the investment in data recording and genomics in recent years, and will ultimately bring about...

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 15 May 2014. The Terms and Conditions of the 2014 Single Farm Payment Scheme provide that applicants hold a registered herd number or have applied to the local District Veterinary Office for a herd number on or before 15 May 2014. The District Veterinary Office has confirmed to us that...

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

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted an application under the Single Payment and Disadvantaged Areas Schemes on 14 May 2013. A Transfer of Entitlements form was also received on 29 April 2013. This Transfer of Entitlements application was a reversal of an earlier transfer in 2007 between the person named and his son. The second transfer application was due to exceptional circumstances....

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

Simon Coveney: The table sets out details of the overseas visits I am planning between now and the end of 2015. In addition Minister of State Hayes will travel to Rome from 9 to 11 June to address the 39th session of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Conference. The purpose of these visits varies. By and large the objective of my visits to other EU Member States relates to agriculture and...

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

Simon Coveney: Last year, Irish agri-food exports to China increased to €620 million, making China Ireland’s second most important market, after the EU as a whole. Therefore, a long with the Taoiseach, I was very pleased to welcome Premier Li Keqiang and a large Ministerial delegation, including Minister for Agriculture Han Changfu, on a visit to the Garvey farm in Co. Mayo on 17 May. This...

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

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 10 April 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: Illegal Fishing Allegations (26 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: As advised in the previous replies, from time to time I receive allegations or such allegations are sent to the Department in relation to illegal fishing activity. In every instance, these allegations are sent to either the SFPA and/or An Garda Síochána, as appropriate, for investigation. In respect of the letters received in relation to Castletownbere allegations of illegal...

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

Simon Coveney: Trade policy is an exclusive power of the European Union and accordingly only the EU, and not individual Member States, can legislate on trade matters and conclude international trade agreements. The EU Commission negotiates with the trading partner on behalf of the EU. It does this, working closely with the Member States in the Council and keeping the European Parliament fully informed. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (26 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2009 and received payments for the first 4 years and 7 months of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. This file was subject to an inspection under the EU...

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

Simon Coveney: The person named registered 45 animals under the 2014 Beef Genomics Scheme. My Department has investigated the issue surrounding tag number 131015370317, and following review, has cleared the herd for payment. Payment will issue in the coming weeks subject to further validations.

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

Simon Coveney: Payment under the Beef Data and Genomic Programme will be made on the basis of a maximum payable area (MPA), subject to compliance with all other requirements as specified in the Terms and Conditions. This area is calculated by dividing the number of calved cows in 2014 by 1.5 and it is this MPA that cannot be reduced below 20%, not the entire area declared on the Basic Payment Scheme. ...

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

Simon Coveney: The year 2014 was established as the base year for the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) for both eligible land and animals. The scheme forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme and was agreed following extensive negotiations with the Commission. During these negotiations it was made clear to officials from my Department that using future year animal numbers as a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon Contracts (26 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: Bord na gCon is a commercial State body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, charged with the regulation and development of the greyhound racing industry. Bord na gCon has informed me that in total they are dealing with twenty-four different companies in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy. Bord na gCon have twelve contracts currently in place with fixed...

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

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2009 and received payments for the full 5 years and 7 months of the REPS4 contract. His participation in the Scheme ended on 31 December 2014. REPS4 is a measure under the 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can...

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

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and Grassland Sheep Scheme was received from the person named on 7 May 2013. A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme revealed that four land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. Following the review of my Department’s...

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

Simon Coveney: My Department does not directly grant aid remedial works on watercourses. However, under the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) payment may be drawn down for a range of actions which can contribute to the stabilisation of river banks. These include Riparian Margins, Protection of Watercourses from Bovines or Small Woodland Establishment. The first tranche for GLAS closes today...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Foreshore Licence Applications (26 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department is currently processing the application referred to by the Deputy in accordance with applicable legislation and in conjunction with ongoing legal advice. Every effort is being made to conclude the processing of the application as soon as possible having regard to all legal requirements. As the application is under consideration as part of a statutory process it would not be...