Results 27,441-27,460 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Under the Terms and Conditions of REPS 4 scheme, the contract area must be retained for the duration for which REPS is payable over the course of the contract. Due to an overdeclaration of basic area in this case of 0.57 hectares, which was notified to the participant in January 2013, the Department imposed the following reductions and penalties as an overclaim amount in this case. Under the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tax Exemptions (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: 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 measures in the farming sector, a joint initiative between my Department and the Department of Finance, was announced in Budget 2014...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Semi-State Bodies Mergers (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: One element of the Government Decision of 19 June 2013 in relation to Coillte was that a robust analysis be carried out to evaluate how to give effect to a beneficial merger of Coillte with Bord na Móna to create a streamlined and refocused commercial state company operating in the bio-energy and forestry sectors, as committed to in the Programme for Government. NewERA is undertaking a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Meetings (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The monthly whitefish meetings are organised in accordance with a formal written protocol which I put in place in November 2013. This protocol provides that the Committee will comprise representatives from each recognised Producer Organisation (PO), the Irish Fish producers and Exporters Association (IFPEA), the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Department. The meeting will be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Development (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres, which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department. My Departments Engineering Division are actively progressing the development of the Small Craft Harbour in Killybegs and a planning application was lodged with Donegal County Council on 19 December 2013. In the interim a wave monitoring buoy and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Severe Weather Events (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The severe weather conditions which Ireland experienced in the first weeks of this year affected communities around the country. Farmers located in the west and south of the country as well as farmers whose lands are adjacent to significant rivers were particularly badly affected by flooding. I outlined the support measures my Department put in place to assist farmers who had welfare concerns...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Forest Holders who suspect that the productive potential of their forest property has been impacted by sea water should consult with forestry professionals either in Teagasc or with their local professional forester. A qualified forestry professional can meet with owners on-the-ground and advise on the most appropriate course of action (if any) depending on the extent of the flooding\salt...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Appeals (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Under the Terms and Conditions of REPS4, the contract area must be retained for the duration for which REPS is payable. Due to a reduction in the contract area in this case over the course of the REPS4 contract, a clawback amount of €3,529.92 was applied. A letter informing the person named of the clawback issued, also advising of the opportunity to appeal the decision if desired. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (27 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Under 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, eligible applicants’ holdings were required to have satisfied minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. The application of the person named has only recently been...

Seanad: Beef Industry: Motion (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: It was for under 20 month beef, though. No one was encouraged to produce 22 or 24 month beef.

Seanad: Beef Industry: Motion (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I understand I can reply.

Seanad: Beef Industry: Motion (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The heifer has just given birth.

Seanad: Beef Industry: Motion (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I did that.

Seanad: Beef Industry: Motion (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: That is the function of the Competition Authority. It applies to this sector the same as to any other sector.

Seanad: Beef Industry: Motion (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Senators for raising this issue. I accept it is a genuine issue. Some of the things said by Senator Byrne are not borne out in the marketplace, but I accept there is a significant issue that the industry must tackle, particularly with regard to bull beef. There is an over-supply of animals that are outside the specification that is predominantly sought by retail supermarkets in...

Seanad: Beef Industry: Motion (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: More people are entering farming now than has been the case for 20 years.

Other Questions: Fishing Communities (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I have got some feedback and know most of the boats in Wexford are smaller. We will re-evaluate the scheme, but we cannot change it because it is in the process of being applied. I cannot change any scheme midstream. If there are moneys left over, we will look at how best we can spend them to the best possible effect. My objective is to help as many people as possible. There are many...

Other Questions: Fishing Communities (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: There are plenty of owners of boats between 12 m and 15 m in length who are in difficulty too following the storms. The problems are not solely confined to boats under 12 m. I would like to have much more to spend in this sector. We are examining broader actions we can take to help the inshore sector, which is not before time either, but I only have €1.5 million to spend. We will...

Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: This is an ongoing process about which I spoken to the Deputy on several occasions. This is a sensitive issue as there are thousands of commonages across the country. We have a new commonage framework programme that needs to be implemented in partnership with the farmers in question and the National Parks and Wildlife Service which has a role to ensure commonages are farmed appropriately....

Other Questions: Commonage Framework Plans (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The important point is that the European Commission sees progress in this area. There has been progress as the liaison process is under way, but there will be difficult commonage areas that will require local public meetings to be held. We are planning that structure with the farming organisations in order that it can be rolled out over time. Implementation of the new commonage framework...