Results 26,301-26,320 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Fisheries Policy Review (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: From the outset of the Common Fisheries Policy revision process, Ireland’s overarching goal was to ensure a sustainable, profitable and self reliant industry that protects and enhances the social and economic fabric of rural coastal communities dependent on the seafood sector, while balancing these objectives with the need to safeguard fish stocks for future generations. I strongly...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Harvest 2020 Strategy (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to report that the industry developed targets set out in Food Harvest 2020 are being successfully delivered. The following table illustrates the progress achieved on the three headline targets as well as the current position in each of the main agricultural sectors. Headline Targets Baseline (2007-2009 Average*) FH2020 Target Latest Position Primary €4.596...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not operate specific schemes of financial assistance for animal welfare groups. However since 1995 ex-gratia funding has been made annually to a number of animal welfare organisations directly involved in the delivery of animal care and welfare services. In May 2014, my Department invited applications from animal welfare bodies that wish to be considered for ex-gratia...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Applications (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: A review of the ortho-imagery of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme suggested that a number of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. Following an appeal from the person named, a Department inspector visited the holding and confirmed this not to be the case; payment due will issue to the person named in the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Noxious Weeds (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together. The Noxious Weeds Act 1936 provides for the control of the spread of six noxious weeds, namely, thistle, ragwort, dock, common barberry, male wild hop plant and the wild oat. Under the Act, it is an offence not to prevent the spread of these noxious weeds. The owner, occupier, user or managers of lands on which these weeds are present...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Data (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The information requested by the Deputy is being collated at present and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tax Reliefs Availability (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 274 together. Taxation policy is primarily a matter for the Minister for Finance. I have on-going contact with the Minister for Finance to ensure that tax policy reflects the Government’s commitment to agriculture and, in particular, to the objectives of smart, green, growth outlined in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. A Review of tax...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 2 in May 2002 and received payments for two years. Following an on-farm inspection a compliance issue was identified and the REPS contract was suspended in February 2005. However, this matter has since been resolved and no debt remains in respect of the REPS contract.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Bodies Board Remuneration (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The details of the salaries of the Chief Executive Officers of the Twelve State Bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are outlined in the table below. Body/Agency CEO Salary Sept 2014 CEO Salary Sept 2013 CEO Salary Sept 2012 Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board No CEO No CEO No CEO An Bord Bia €149,175 €149,175 €160,082 ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Bodies Board Remuneration (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The only body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board. The Army Pensions Board does not have a Chief Executive Officer. A member of staff of my Department is assigned to carry out the functions of Secretary to the Board. The holder of this position is an established civil servant.

Other Questions: Programme for Government Priorities (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I agree absolutely. I have been very anxious to attend the committee and I have been speaking to Deputy Stanton in this regard. I am aware that Deputy Ó Fearghaíl has asked for me to brief the committee on UNDOF which I intend to do but it is a question of finding an appropriate time to suit my timetable and that of the committee. I refer to my interaction with the agriculture...

Other Questions: UN Missions (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I state categorically that Irish troops were never instructed to surrender. It is important to understand the role of Irish troops in the UNDOF mission; they are called a mobile force reserve. Most of the UN peacekeeping force are relatively lightly armed with rifles. However, the Irish contingent is different in that our troops operate in armoured vehicles known as Mowag vehicles with a...

Other Questions: UN Missions (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I have been invited to speak at the international peace-keeping summit which will be held in New York on 26 September, next week. It will have a focus on existing peace-keeping missions but it will also focus on attempts to build capacity for peace-keeping and conflict resolution on the Continent of Africa. This will also provide a very interesting opportunity for Ireland. However, the big...

Other Questions: UN Missions (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I expect that a rotation of troops will happen in the middle of next month, in October.

Other Questions: UN Missions (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: There are many conflict zones in the world requiring peacekeeping missions. However, Ireland and the Irish Defence Forces have a lot of experience in the Middle East. We have had a significant presence in southern Lebanon for many years. In my view our expertise is suited to this mission. We have also been asked in no uncertain terms by multiple countries to stay there because of the role...

Other Questions: EU Meetings (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I have had two proper engagements with EU ministerial colleagues, the first meeting on the margins of a NATO summit which was an event for partners of NATO in certain peacekeeping missions. I had a very good bilateral meeting with my Dutch counterpart. Two Dutch officers are in the UNDOF mission. I made it very clear to my counterpart what Ireland requires in order to stay. She was in...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: It is my understanding that the Defence Forces are there at the request of the Garda Síochána. When the Garda Síochána asks for support, backup and assistance on security matters, the Defence Forces takes it seriously and provides it. The cost is assumed by the Department of Defence. On the broader issue, being a neutral state allows us to make decisions for ourselves...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: On costs, I can be helpful straight away. In 2012, the cost was €275,000 and in 2013 it was €221,000. There is a cost to it and it is presumably because the Garda Síochána is concerned that we need to provide protection, which is an issue in itself, to planes landing and taking off at Shannon Airport. They ask for our assistance and they get our assistance, but the...

Other Questions: Programme for Government Priorities (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for providing me with the opportunity to do this. My immediate priority will be to ensure that the Defence Forces retain the capability to fulfil all roles assigned to them by the Government, both at home and overseas. In this context, and within the available resource envelope, decisions to replace equipment and ongoing recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force will...

Other Questions: Programme for Government Priorities (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: For many years I have been highlighting what the Naval Service does in respect of fishing. Somebody questioned the link between the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Defence in respect of the same Minister having responsibility for the both Departments. For many years and across a number of Governments, the marine and defence areas were linked because of...