Results 23,561-23,580 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agricultural Production (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 347 together. Irish agricultural production is already independently and internationally recognised as one of the most climate and resource efficient systems in the EU and the world. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has found that Irish dairy production has the lowest Carbon-intensity, with Austria, in the EU. The potential...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Labelling (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 348, 350 and 352 together. Rules on the labelling of meat and meat products are laid down in EU legislation. For beef, compulsory labelling rules have been in place for many years, and require food business operators to label fresh, frozen or minced beef with specific information to enable the product to be traced back to the animals from which it was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agricultural Production (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: Targets for agri-food growth were set out in Food Harvest 2020 and I am confident that they are fully achievable over the next five years. As the deputy is aware, the main targets in the Food Harvest report are, by 2020, to increase the value of: -Primary output in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector by 33% -Agriculture, food (including seafood) and drink exports by 42% -Value...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agricultural Production (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The drive to intensify agricultural production and improve competitiveness implies some degree of structural change in farming. However this need not imply a move away from family farming, which has always been the backbone of the European model of agriculture. On the contrary, in my view, structural change is vital to ensure that our family based farming systems continue into the future...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides the framework for the long term sustainability of fish stocks around our shores, the continued economic viability of our fishing fleet and fish processing industry while supporting our families and communities that depend on the sea for their livelihood. A key element of the new CFP is the setting of fishing levels on the basis of MSY (Maximum...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Artisan Food Sector (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The artisan or speciality food sector in Ireland was valued at c €615 million in 2012, with some 350 producers employing more than 3,000 people. Evidence suggests that the sector can have a significant impact on local economies. The emergence of Ireland’s artisan food sector, supported by growing consumer demand for niche products and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, has...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Identification Schemes (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: There are currently seven equine organisations approved under EU and National Legislation by my Department to maintain studbooks for animals whose parentage is established (pedigree animals). In addition, two of these organisations are approved to maintain a register for animals whose pedigree is not established (non-pedigree). These organisations are subject to regular inspections by my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Exports Growth (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: Dairy exports in 201 4 were valued at over €3bn and the dairy sector is by a number of measures the country’s largest indigenous industry. Due to its reputation and significant global footprint, the dairy sector in Ireland retains significant future growth potential. The removal of quotas will be a key driver in this respect. Ireland exported dairy products worth €2.3Bn...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Cereal Sector (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: As I indicated to the Deputy only a short time ago on this matter, the maintenance of an efficient and viable cereals sector in Ireland is clearly very important to the well being of the agri-food industry. Indigenous production of cereals is of course, an important part of primary agriculture production. In addition to generating an income for our tillage farmers, the cereals sector is a key...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 2) with effect from the 1 st September 2011 and payment has issued in respect of the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Scheme years. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agricultural Production (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The reply is as follows: Beef I am pleased to note that prices at the end of last week have increased 15% since last September and are now 6% higher than in the same point in 2014. Current beef prices in Ireland stand at 103% of the EU15 average. As of the end of last week, the average prices paid (excluding VAT) for an R3 steer stood at €4.03/kg and an R3 Heifer at €4.14, an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: On Friday last, 27 March 2015, I announced plans for a new €241 million development programme for the seafood sector for the period up to 2020, co-funded by the EU through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. Our Seafood sector is worth in the region of €850 million annually to our economy, with exports growing by 70% since 2009 to €540 million. Seafood is widely...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Quotas (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides the framework for the long term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks around our shores and is designed to ensure the long term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters. A key element of the new CFP is the setting of fishing levels on the basis of MSY (Maximum Sustainable Yield). This should ultimately lead to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Pensions (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: As outlined in my previous replies, following the relevant High Court Order a fresh examination of the case in question was undertaken and all aspects of the case, including, in particular, the representations made by the person’s solicitors, were fully considered by the then Minister for Defence. A new bona fidedecision was made by the then Minister. Section 13(2) of the Army Pensions...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks Closures (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: Agreement has been reached for the sale of the former army barracks in Clonmel to Tipperary County Council and it is expected that this sale will be fully complete in the coming weeks . Since its closure in March 2012 a total of €132,458 has been spent on security and maintenance. The Defence Forces advise that they have utilised Hotel Minella for the conduct of Command and Staff...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Neutrality (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 364 to 366, inclusive, together. Whilst I am aware of the proposed centre in question, its development is not something that I or my Department have had any involvement in. Ireland's policy of military neutrality is defined by non-participation in a military alliance or mutual-defence arrangements. In my view, this policy would not be affected by the proposed...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Direct Payment Scheme Eligibility (26 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: Under the provisions of the governing EU Regulations, in particular, Regulation EU No 1307/2013, my Department is only entitled to make payments under the Basic Payment Scheme, and the Greening Payment on land that meets the requirements of the Regulations. The determinations referred to were carried out to ensure that the regulatory requirements would continue to be adhered to in the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Legislative Process (26 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department has submitted one piece of legislation for pre-legislative scrutiny since 2011, namely the Horse Racing Ireland Bill which is currently being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Council. It will submit future proposed legislation for pre-legislative scrutiny in accordance with the Pre-legislative Consideration Standing Order introduced in November 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grassland Sheep Scheme Payments (26 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under 2014 Grassland Sheep Scheme was received from the persons named on 23 April 2014. Processing of the Grassland Sheep Scheme application has recently been completed with payment due to issue directly to the nominated bank account of the persons named shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (26 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under 2014 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 7 April 2014. Processing of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application was completed on time with payment issuing at the earliest possible date, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 24 September 2014.