Results 26,521-26,540 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Management (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The planting levels achieved under the State’s afforestation scheme are determined by both the interest among landowners in forestry as a land-use option and the availability of funding. In recent years, including 2014, funding has been provided for about 7,000 hectares of new planting. In the years 2011 to 2013, the average annual planting level was in the region of 6,500 hectares...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Harvest 2020 Strategy (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to report that 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...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Programme for Government Implementation (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: I have provided, in the schedule beneath, the implementation update o n the commitments in the 2011-2016 Programme for Government for which my Department has primary responsibility. The timeline for delivery of these commitments is the lifetime of this Government but the Deputy will be aware that the nature of these commitments is such that ongoing development and progress is the norm....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: There are currently two dedicated vessels, the MV Express 1 and the MV Atlantic M, approved for the carriage of livestock by sea from Irish ports to North Africa.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Commonage Framework Plans (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: With a view to having a system to meet the requirements of the Basic Payment Scheme, which will be implemented in 2015, my Department will be writing to all commonage claimants in the coming weeks setting out the minimum and maximum stocking density for the commonage as assessed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in conjunction with my Department. The claimants will have the right,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Administration (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: Commonage lands form an important part of the farming enterprises of many farmers, in addition to being crucial from the point of view of bio-diversity, wildlife, amenities and tourism. However, there is a growing risk of land abandonment on commonages as under-grazing becomes more of a problem. Farming of commonages is a complex matter, with issues about the legal right to claim, in addition...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: Under the rules governing t he free movement of g oods and services within the EU, a ll Irish beef producers have ready, unimpeded and equal access to all EU Member State markets without restriction. Artic les 34 to 36 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union prohibit Member States from maintaining or imposing barriers on intra-EU trade in goods. These provisions give rise to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Appeals (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Agriculture Appeals Office received an appeal from the above-mentioned in relation to a dual claim. On receipt of the file from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine the appeal was assigned to an Appeals Officer. An oral hearing was requested in this case and was held on 17 June 2014. A decision issued, in writing, to the above mentioned on 15 July 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: TB Eradication Scheme (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 557 and 562 together. My Department is aware of the report referred to by the Deputy. While this report will be studied further in my Department as part of the ongoing review of the bovine TB eradication scheme, I should point out that this paper has modelled data specific to the British bovine TB eradication programme. It should also be noted that the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Adviser Appointments (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: In answer to the Deputy’s question, two Special Advisers are employed in my Department, details of which are provided below:- Name Current Salary Ross MacMathúna (from 16/1/2012 to date) €103,200 (single point scale) Áine Kilroy (from 18/4/2011 to date) €81,676 (3 rd point Principal Officer Standard Scale) The salary increase for one of my advisors,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Appointments to State Boards (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: Since May 2011, expressions of interest are invited from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. In making board appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant mix of knowledge and expertise to contribute to the relevant board....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Priorities (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: I have a number of key priorities for the period ahead as Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine.  In my view, we are now entering what will be a critical and exciting time for the agri-food sector. In particular, the coming year will see the transition to the new Common Agricultural Policy and the rollout of the new Rural Development Programme which will deliver a vital injection...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Communications (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: As I have retained my portfolio as Minister of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, there was no requirement to provide me with further briefing. When I was appointed in 2011, I was provided with such briefing and a redacted version of that is still available on my Department’s website

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Adviser Appointments (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: Details in relation to Special Advisers appointed by me since taking office are set out below. In respect of two of the appointments, the salary cap was exceeded, given the substantially higher salaries each earned in the private sector. The salary increases were approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Name Title Salary Fergal Leamy from 11/4/2011 to 9/9/2011...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Emergency Aeromedical Service (16 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: In June 2012, following agreement between my Department and the Department of Health, a pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service commenced operations. The service is operated by the Air Corps out of Custume Barracks, Athlone. An evaluation of the pilot service was undertaken last year by an inter-agency Audit and Evaluation Group and a Report submitted to the then Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (16 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The 2000 White Paper on Defence and the earlier Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan both identified the requirement to address the age profile in the Defence Forces. A key element in military life is the need for personnel to maintain a level of fitness for combat readiness. This requirement must be balanced with the need to retain experience and expertise, particularly at managerial...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Commencement of Legislation (16 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: There are no Acts currently in force under my Ministerial area of responsibility which have parts or sections yet to be formally commenced.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (16 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) with effect from the 1 stNovember 2012. Full entitlements have issued in respect of the 2010, 2011 , 2012 and 2013 Scheme years. During the checking process in respect of the 2013 Scheme year an over-claim was identified in relation to the Natura action which resulted in a penalty being...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (16 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: I have received the correspondence in question and will reply directly to the person named. I am very cognisant of the challenges facing those farmers who farm lands are situated on the islands, in particular, the additional costs incurred in farming island lands. Mindful of this, I have decided to target specific support for island farmers via a new top-up to be introduced under the Areas...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Expenditure (16 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: My Department is the accredited paying agency with responsibility for the proper management and disbursement of European Union funds. The European regulations governing the Agri Environment Options Scheme require that administrative checks be carried out on all applications and that on the spot inspections be carried out on at least 5% of beneficiaries. The fundamental reason for these checks...