Results 24,601-24,620 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Plan (15 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: Under the new Rural Development Plan 2015-2020, it is proposed that under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme 2015, holdings of eligible applicants will be required to maintain a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock unitsfor a minimum retention period of seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishery Harbour Centres (15 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: Brandon Pier is owned by Kerry County Council and responsibility for the maintenance and development of the pier rests with that local authority in the first instance. My Department, however, provides funding for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme subject to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Maintenance (15 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: Renard Pier is owned by Kerry County Council and responsibility for the maintenance and development of the pier rests with that local authority in the first instance. My Department, however, provides funding for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme subject to...

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

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the concerns raised in this regard, which are specifically in relation to the new GLAS scheme. The closing date for the submission of applications under the GLAS Scheme is fixed by regulation and must be respected. However, in order to streamline the application process and maximise the use of time available my Department will provide an online application system for the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (15 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: The opening of any major third country market for Irish beef is a very positive development for the entire beef sector given our heavy reliance on exports. This is particularly true of a huge market like the US, even more so given we are the first EU member State to secure such access which I believe is testimony to the quality and production values associated with Irish beef. The total US...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fuel Prices (15 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: I would call on the fuel supply sector to ensure that the maximum possible benefits of the falling prices are fully reflected in retail prices, which will obviously be of direct benefit to the farming sector and all consumers. It is not possible to be precise in quantifying the benefits that might accrue to farmers this year arising from the recent fuel price falls. However I would expect...

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

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 7 May 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The application of the person named was selected...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (15 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is not currently approved for the export of beef to the Chinese or Taiwanese markets. However, there have been significant developments recently regarding China. Following political, technical and diplomatic engagement with the Chinese authorities over several years, the Chinese Ministers for Agriculture and for Quarantine and Inspection Services agreed, during my trade mission in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licence Eligibility (15 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: Kincasslagh Bay is located within Gweedore Bay and Islands Special Area of Conservation (SAC). In order to ensure compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives, an Appropriate Assessment has to be carried out before any aquaculture licensing determination may be made in respect of aquaculture applications for sites in the bay. My Department is working with the Marine Institute, Bord...

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

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 4 April 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The application of the person named was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (15 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in October 2009 and received payments for the first five years 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. Following an inspection in July 2014 a letter issued advising the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Semi-State Bodies Remuneration (15 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: There are currently twelve State Bodies under the remit of my Department. Of these, eight are non commercial entities and four are commercial entities. Non-Commercial Bodies Commercial Bodies Aqua licensing Appeals Board Bord na gCon Bord Bia Coillte Bord Iascaigh Mhara Horse Racing Ireland Marine Institute Irish National Stud National Milk Agency Sea Fisheries...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: I do not accept the accuracy of what the Deputy is saying. I travelled to Pakistan some years ago and interviewed people in refugee camps who had come from Afghanistan following the bombings that took place there in the wake of the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States. I remember very clearly the things I saw there and the people to whom I spoke. This is not a simple black and...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for his timely question. The total number of Army bomb disposal call-outs was 141 last year, down from 250 the year before. However, that is not to suggest the problem is going away. The figures go up and down year on year, from 180 back in 2008 to 141 last year. The figure could be higher this year; we will have to wait and see. Explosive ordnance disposal is the...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: It is not appropriate for me to talk about numbers while the conciliation process is ongoing. It is a priority for me to secure agreement through that process with RACO so we can move ahead and ensure, first, that we maintain the training levels and skill sets that are needed in this very important area and, second, that we have the numbers we need to ensure we are fully covered. I intend...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: The point of moving on from the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, mission is to move away from having large numbers of heavily armed foreign troops in Afghanistan and towards the resolute support mission, which is a training mission to help build Afghanistan's capacity to run its own affairs. We are trying to move away from a wartime situation and to create peace and stability...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: That is a ridiculous thing to say, with all due respect.

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: We need to put things in perspective. The US launched a military campaign in Afghanistan because of 9-11, when there was considerable proof of terrorist training camps in Afghanistan. Mistakes were made subsequently and there are major challenges in Afghanistan to creating a functional, normalised state, but the idea that pulling all of the contributing non-Afghan troops out would somehow...

Other Questions: Defence Forces (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: Can I just say-----

Other Questions: Defence Forces (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am trying to be helpful.