Results 24,121-24,140 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Commonage Framework Plans (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am confident that the majority of farmers who are farming commonage land in land in Ireland will participate in the GLAS Scheme (the Green Low-Carbon Agri-environment Scheme) and will operate under the Management Plan drawn up for each commonage. Under the Cross Compliance requirements, farmers must ensure that land is maintained in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition. Where my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Labelling (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: In 2011 the European Union passed the Food Information for the Consumers (FIC), Regulation 1169/2011, which has updated the requirements for consumer information and labelling in a number of areas, including origin labelling for meats other than beef. Following on from the requirements of the FIC, Commission Regulation No. 1337/2013 introduces mandatory origin labelling for meat from pigs,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Natura 2000 (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Under the initial Financial Plan for the Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2013 an indicative amount of €528m was allocated to Natura 2000. The Natura measure provides for compensation to farmers for disadvantages in their farming activities arising out of 3 Directives – the Habitats Directive, the Wild Birds Directive and the Water Framework Directive. Natura 2000...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Payments (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application was not received by my Department from the person named under the 2014 Beef Genomics Scheme and, therefore, no payment is due to the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fruit and Vegetable Sector (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: There are no mushroom producer groups recognised in Ireland. There is one mushroom producer organisation recognised in Ireland for the purposes of the EU Scheme of Aid for Producer Organisations in the Fruit and Vegetable Sector. This scheme provides for payment of EU aid to recognised producer organisations to implement multi-annual operational programmes, approved in advance by the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: As of 1st February 2015, Ireland is contributing 432 Defence Forces personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world. Four Defence personnel are serving with the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Ireland has participated in this mission since its establishment in 2010. Prior to that, from 2001 to 2010, Defence Forces personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Communications (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are committed to the provision of the highest standard of customer service to the individuals and organisations with whom they interact. The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces Customer Charter and Customer Service Action Plan, covering the period 2013 – 2015, sets out the principles and standards of customer service that can...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: As outlined previously to the House, a claim has been received from the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) in relation to this matter and it is being dealt with under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. Discussions have taken place with the Representative Association, with regards to their claim, under a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 109 together. I am satisfied that the level of resources available to the Defence Forces, including training resources and equipment, enables them to carry out their roles, both at home and overseas. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Equipment (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The acquisition of new equipment and technology for the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence and is a matter that is kept under constant review. The budgetary situation will continue to dictate the level of funding available for new equipment, training and Information Technology Equipment upgrades for the Defence organisation. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The development of a new White Paper on Defence is under way. The White Paper will provide the future policy framework for Defence and Defence provision for the next decade. A key part of the development of the White Paper is the consideration of potential challenges to our defence and security environment that may emerge into the future given that such areas can be volatile and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 December 2014, the latest date for which figures are available was 9,280, comprising 7,457 Army, 766 Air Corps and 1,057 Naval Service personnel. The following table outlines the establishment, strength and vacancies of the Permanent Defence Force, by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 31...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (18 Feb 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table. - 31 December 2011 31 December 2012 31 December 2013 31 December 2014 Total PDF Strength 9,438 9,359 9,236 9,280 In relation to the figures in the table, the serving strength figures for 2013 and 2014 are the Whole Time Equivalent strengths. The fluctuation in strength is based on the serving strength at the end of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: As of 1 February 2015, Ireland is contributing approximately 432 Defence Forces personnel to 11 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 deployed to the Embassy of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order including the protection of the internal security of the State rests with An Garda Síochána. However, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence (2000) is to provide Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. A...

Other Questions: Aquaculture Licences (17 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: On the first question, in 2011 two applications were received; in 2012 two applications were received; and in 2013 and 2014 no applications were received for new licences for fin fish farms. On renewal of licences, eight applications were received in 2011; nine applications in 2012; two applications in 2013; and two applications in 2014. It is important to say that in the case of renewals,...

Other Questions: Aquaculture Licences (17 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Just to be clear, as I said earlier, we made positive determinations in respect of two renewal applications and both of those were trout farms, nothing to do with salmon at all. I am not going to give a timescale for the Galway Bay application because I have to wait to get recommendations on my desk. I have put those who are considering this application under some pressure to try to get...

Other Questions: Beef Exports (17 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am not going to get into making judgments on issues that were subjects of tribunals in the past as I do not believe it is helpful. As I said, I am very comfortable that we have regulatory systems that allow us to produce the safest and highest quality beef in the planet. It is not just me saying that. We are the only European country allowed to export beef to the United States because of...

Other Questions: Aquaculture Licences (17 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: It is a fair concern to outline that there have been some challenges with aquaculture licensing. Before I came into office, no aquaculture licence had been granted for five years. The European Commission took Ireland to court because its licensing system was not fit for purpose. As a result, we have put a licensing system in place that would be required as gold standard, which involves...