Results 26,821-26,840 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: EU Regulations governing the administration of the Single Farm Payment Scheme require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, are completed before any payment issues. The 2013 application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility/cross compliance inspection. The results of this inspection have been finalised and payment...

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

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2014. However, since he does not currently hold any Single Payment Scheme entitlements, there is no payment due him under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tax Code (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: While taxation policy is primarily the responsibility of the Minister for Finance, I have on-going contact with him 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. There are two main measures which facilitate the inter-generational transfers of farms...

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

Simon Coveney: A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that one of the land parcels in question contained ineligible features. As the person named applied submitted an application for a review of my Department’s decision, a visit by a Department official to verify the position was necessary to progress the matter. The results of the...

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

Simon Coveney: A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that one of the land parcels declared contained ineligible features. The person named was notified of this in April 2014, and responded agreeing with the findings. Payment under the Single Payment Scheme will issue shortly based on this reduced area.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, I invited key stakeholders, including farm organisations, beef processors and relevant state agencies, to a round table discussion on the future development of the beef sector on 17 April and held a second meeting on 3 June. This initiative was intended to provide a useful forum for all the main players in the industry to engage positively and present constructive...

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

Simon Coveney: A review of certain matters relating to Bord na gCon has been commissioned by my colleague the Minister of State, Mr Tom Hayes, TD. The aim of this review is to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to facilitate the growth and development of the greyhound racing industry into the future. The review encompasses the policy, governance and regulatory framework and the financial...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: A wide cross section of individuals was invited to attend the conference, including some members of animal rights groups. A member of National Animal Rights Association was invited to the conference but chose not to attend, while the President of Irish Council Against Blood Sports was in attendance. Delegates from the Hunting Association of Ireland were also in attendance.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: I understand that the matter to which the Deputy refers is being investigated by An Garda Síochána and the investigation is ongoing. Like all activities on the public road, sulky racing is governed by the Road Traffic Acts and imposes an obligation pursuant to these acts on the person engaged in this activity to drive their vehicles with due care for other road users and not to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: Under the provisions of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 the regulation of coursing is chiefly a matter for the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon, which is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry, greyhound racing and coursing. The ICC has confirmed that it has systems in place...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: Horse owners have a duty to ensure the welfare of horses in their ownership and/or their care and to dispose of them appropriately. On a regulatory level, local authorities have responsibility under the Control of Horses Act, 1996 for dealing with straying and abandoned horses. My Department makes a contribution to local authority towards implementation of the Act and in this regard local...

Topical Issue Debate: Installation Aid Schemes Eligibility (12 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: We really appreciate that.

Topical Issue Debate: Installation Aid Schemes Eligibility (12 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: While I have a script which provides a great deal of technical information in terms of what young farmers are entitled to under the new CAP - direct payments, rural development programmes and positive discrimination in the form of a 20% top-up on single farm payments and access to 60% grant aid for capital investment programmes on their farms, as opposed to the 40% which applies to everybody...

Topical Issue Debate: Installation Aid Schemes Eligibility (12 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The problem arose when installation aid was abolished without notice. Many people who had submitted applications missed out because there was literally a shut-down of that scheme. Many people were caught out by that. We have not been able to find the money to reopen that scheme and so I decided to prioritise young farmers through the new CAP, which we have done very successfully. A young...

Topical Issue Debate: Installation Aid Schemes Eligibility (12 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: National reserve.

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: I will provide some clarity and respond to a number of questions and comments. I echo the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe's comments, in that there has been a considerable community effort to try to solve a genuine problem adjacent to the estate. It could not be solved easily without access to some of the estate's land. The community is not getting something on the cheap, as it is paying...

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: We are doing that under the food use programme. We spend a good deal of money each year on fruit and vegetables in schools. They grow them in schools.

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Wallace should take his time and get his breath back.

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: I would say the Deputy was fitter in those days.

Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages (12 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Bill 2014 which is a technical amendment to existing legislation governing the use and disposal of land at the Johnstown Castle estate. The scope of the Bill is narrow and straightforward. It is purely an enabling provision to permit Teagasc to develop part of...