Results 24,761-24,780 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Programme (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 392 together. II I am advised that no bills have been initiated in my Department since September 2013, nor have any bills been subject to the pre-legislative scrutiny procedure in the Oireachtas to date.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff Data (14 Jan 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 393 to 395, inclusive, together. There is one member of staff seconded to the Civil and Public Services Union since 2001. This secondment is sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and salary costs are recouped from the Union. The Staff Exchange Scheme between the Civil Service and the Private Sector was introduced in 2014 and was...

Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Many groups, not just one group, are interested in the implementation of GLAS. We meet farming organisations regularly, particularly the Irish Farmers' Association, IFA, and other groups including the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association, ICSA, and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association, ICMSA. I have met the representatives of the hill committee on a number of occasions and...

Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Departmental officials met farmers at those meetings; some were very happy with the proposals and others want changes. We are trying to respond in a progressive and sensible manner. To correct the record, I do not think it is a false premise to say there has been a problem with under-grazing on some commonage lands. Some areas have been under-grazed.

Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: There is a difference between acknowledging problems and providing Deputy Ó Cuív with all of the evidence.

Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Correct.

Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: I never said farmers are not willing to graze. I said that decisions made in the past and the manner in which things have unfolded since those decisions mean that some land is under-grazed. That is a problem because the only way to manage this land is to graze it, and that is why we introduced stocking rates as a requirement for the disadvantaged areas scheme, DAS. We want to get more...

Other Questions: Organic Farming Scheme Applications (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is concerned that a farmer in the organic scheme may not be able to avail of GLAS. I think it has been clarified that a farmer in the organic scheme can avail of GLAS.

Other Questions: Organic Farming Scheme Applications (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: I will clarify that matter for the Deputy, but my general point is that organic farmers are welcome in GLAS. Regarding the Deputy's question on organic farmers and the Athenry office, I am advised by my Department officials that an industrial dispute at local office level has developed in recent days and, unfortunately, this is delaying the processing of organic farm payments in some local...

Other Questions: Organic Farming Scheme Applications (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: I work in the political area. As I said, there is an industrial relations issue at the heart of this and it does not have a political solution. I will try to ensure that payments are received as quickly as possible.

Other Questions: Bord na gCon Administration (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy should welcome it.

Other Questions: Farm Household Incomes (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: If one adds up all of the direct payments, there has been a fall for several years. Next year, however, there should not be. Between now and 2020, there will be an effective increase in payments because of a very strong rural development programme, with increased expenditure each year. When one looks at the amounts of direct supports going into farming, rather than the number of schemes...

Other Questions: Beef Industry (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Exports of all Irish offal to Russia have been suspended following an audit inspection by officials from the Russian Federation in May this year. It also resulted in the suspension of exports of other prime beef cuts from a number of meat plants supplying to Russia at the time. In late June the Russian Federation also introduced an EU-wide ban on beef trimmings owing to alleged adulteration...

Other Questions: Beef Industry (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Yes, we have. The particular market for offal in Russia was attractive for us, as there are limited markets that pay well for offal. That is why it would be good to export offal back into the Russian market, if we could. This is one of the conversations we are having with the Russian authorities. Other countries are having similar conversations. Ultimately, we want to get back to a...

Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: My approach is to ensure everyone who wants to participate in GLAS will have the opportunity to do so and that the scheme is flexible enough to respond to different types of farming, whether it be in Connemara, east Cork, the midlands or County Donegal. We have listened to what farmers say. Hill farmers in commonage areas, predominantly in the west - particularly in parts of Counties Galway,...

Other Questions: Land Parcel Identification System (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Some of them require inspections to back up the maps.

Other Questions: Land Parcel Identification System (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: I can understand why that would be the perception because there were significant delays in digitisation a couple of years ago relating to the agri-environment options scheme. There has also been concern for a number of farmers in regard to the LPIS review and the accuracy of maps and so on. The mapping and digitisation and the change of system that has been in place for a year has caused...

Other Questions: Land Parcel Identification System (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: I will, of course. I will come back to the Deputy if there is a problem.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Fisheries Policy Negotiations (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Yes. Just for next year.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Fisheries Policy Negotiations (18 Dec 2014)

Simon Coveney: Every December we renegotiate.