Results 26,621-26,640 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: I am acutely aware of the importance of the beef sector and sensitive to the concerns of farmers in relation to beef prices at this time. Prices have declined since the highs of last year, not only in Ireland but internationally and also in our most important beef export market, the UK. However as the Deputy is aware, it is not for me or for that matter any Minister for Agriculture to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Legislative Process (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: Since this Government took office my Department has published four Bills: - Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill (28 July 2011); - Animal Health and Welfare Bill (25 April 2012); - Forestry Bill (24 April 2013); - Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill (15 May 2014) The Regulatory Impact Assessments for the Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill, the Animal Health and Welfare...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Appeals (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced in the REPS4 Scheme on 1 November 2008 and his contract under the Scheme ended on 31 December 2013. On examination of his REPS file, it was found that he was claiming Natura payments on land which was not designated as Natura land but rather was designated as proposed NHA (Natural Heritage Area). The person named arranged for an amended REPS plan in relation to his...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Debt Collection (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not have a policy of engaging the services of a debt collection agency for pursuing money owed to it.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Parcel Identification System (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: My Department is bound, under EU Regulations, to maintain the accuracy the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) which underpins the direct payments. At the start of each year, my Department issues colour maps of all land parcels declared by farmers in the previous year together with a covering letter. In that letter, farmers are clearly informed of the need to carefully examine each map...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Parcel Identification System (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: As you may be aware my Department is currently examining land parcels declared under the Single Payment Scheme and other area-based Direct Payment Schemes. As part of this review an ineligible area was identified and removed from a parcel declared by the person named.The person named was notified of this decision and of her right of appeal. Following an appeal from the person named my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Funding (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The library in my Department is used, in the main, by officers of the Department. It has an electronic portal that allows users access documents held in electronic format. Specialised software and hardware are provided to internal users who are visually impaired to facilitate access to this information. Given the availability of and access to the internet and on-line information my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1 May 2013. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. These checks have been...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Advisers Remuneration (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: In response to the Deputy’s question, I have outlined below details of the salaries paid to the Special Advisors employed in my Department. A salary increase for one of my advisors which is marginally higher than the pay guidelines for such a position was approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This request was based on the substantially higher salary which he was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: A review of the lands declared by the person named under the Single Payment Scheme in both 2012 and 2013 revealed that a number of land parcels declared contained ineligible features. This review resulted in an over-payment being applied under the 2012 Scheme which was netted-off the balancing payment due under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme. In order to clarify the position regarding the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the events at the race meeting in question, which is clearly a matter of concern, and my Department has been in touch with the Irish Turf Club in this regard. The Turf Club, which incorporates the Irish National Hunt Steeple Chase Committee (INHSC), sets and administers the rules of racing for all thoroughbred race meetings throughout the State in accordance with Section 39 (1)...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences Applications (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The application referred to by the Deputy is in respect of a site located within Lough Swilly which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 sites). My Department is constrained by European law from issuing or renewing aquaculture licences for sites located within Natura 2000 areas...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ash Dieback Threat (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: I am aware that the measures taken to control the spread of ash dieback (Chalara fraxinea)and the collapse in demand for ash plants, have both created difficulties for a number of nurseries. However, due to the current economic difficulties, I regret to inform you that it is not possible for my Department to introduce a compensation scheme for nursery stock producers arising from the measures...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The European Union scheme of geographical indications (GI) protects the names of quality agricultural products and foodstuffs where a strong link exists between the characteristics of a product or foodstuff and the defined geographical area. It represents a niche in European food production where a speciality typical of the locality is produced in a common way. In the case of a Protected...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1 May 2013. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks an over...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: TB Eradication Scheme (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: My Department’s TB Eradication Programme has incorporated a comprehensive badger removal policy since 2004 in response to research conducted over the years by the Department and others which demonstrated that the eradication of the disease is not a practicable proposition until the issue of the reservoir of infection in badgers, which is seeding infection into the cattle population, is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from the 1 May 2013. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, have to be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, there was an extensive Public Consultation in 2008 and 2009 on the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which covered all aspects of animal health and welfare. Furthermore, there was an extensive debate on these issues in both houses of the Oireachtas, including on fur farming. My Department issued a press release on 7 of March announcing the commencement of the Animal...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Remuneration (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: The number of increments awarded to the various groups of staff employed by my Department in the period requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Year Agricultural Inspector Grades Technical Agricultural Officer Grades Veterinary Inspector Grades Administrative Grades Total No. Increments awarded 2008 191 225 230 1060 1706 2009 227 250 166 1042 1685 2010 215 250 137 976...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Rehiring (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: Details of retired staff who have been re-hired by my Department on a contract basis since March 2011 are set out in the table below. These contracts which have now expired were subject to normal pension abatement rules. Grade prior to retirement Costs associated with contract Assistant Secretary General 2011 - €66,047 - 2012 - €75,352 - 2013 - €52,231 Principal...