Results 27,541-27,560 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (26 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 person named did not satisfy these minimum requirements....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 172 and 177 together. The Animal Health and Welfare Act, which I commenced last month, applies to all animals and imposes additional responsibilities on all owners of animals. With regard to the welfare of animals, the Act puts clear obligations on owners regarding the need to look after animals under their care. These relate to feed and drink, shelter...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Farming (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: My Department’s Engineering Division, in conjunction with the Marine Institute, conducted a survey at the site referred to by the Deputy at the first available opportunity and have provided preliminary scientific and technical reports to my Department. The very severe weather conditions experienced at the time of the incident referred to by the Deputy are well documented. At all times...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Farming (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: An application by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay was received by my Department in 2012. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement are being considered under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act. The assessment process will take full account...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: TB Eradication Scheme (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The holding in question was restricted due to a TB breakdown with effect from 22 March 2013. A total of 93 reactor animals were identified and removed during this breakdown. The herd has been de-restricted since 20 February 2014. However, a number of discrepancies were identified in the context of the restriction relating to identification of animals on this holding. Officials of my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 171 together. Market conditions in the beef and cattle sector are monitored on an on-going basis by my Department. Under Regulation 1249/2008, DG AGRI of the European Commission receives beef carcase prices from all Member States, including Ireland on a weekly basis. The European Commission chairs a Management Committee on Animal Products and the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together. As the Deputy will be aware, commercial enterprises in Ireland have benefited greatly from the introduction of the Single European Market, giving them tariff free access to a European market of almost 500m consumers. The free movement of goods and services within the Single Market means that Irish enterprises now have access to export...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: As a small trading nation, we depend on trade to drive our economy and have much to gain from free trade agreements. In that respect we have substantial offensive interests in the agreements being negotiated with the United States and also with Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. Of course we have defensive interests too – related primarily to our beef sector. Our strategy is to push hard...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Labelling (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Food production and labelling rules in the European Union operate in accordance with harmonised rules and member states controls are subject to audit and supervision by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the EU. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) under the aegis the Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety and labelling requirements in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Imports (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: International trade in agri-food products is a reality which we embrace as a general proposition, as a country with a strong export focus, it is clearly in Ireland's broader economic interests to ensure that there is a stable and balanced international trade environment. To protect animal and public health and in accordance with international trade agreements, the European Union (EU) has...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Data (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Single Payment Scheme - Payments under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme began issuing on target on 16 October. To date payments worth nearly €1.2 billion have issued to 122,659 applicants. An additional 631 applicants remain to be paid. All of those who have yet to be paid have been contacted by the Department in relation to various queries which must be resolved prior to payment being...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 to 182, inclusive, and 184 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Market analysis predicts that medium term prospects for global dairy markets are good, with growth in world population and wealth expected to stimulate strong levels of demand for dairy products. More than 85% of Irish dairy production is exported and Ireland has access for dairy products to over eighty countries worldwide. Nevertheless I am working with industry to raise the profile of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Expenses (26 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: Principal Officers and Assistant Principal Officers in my Department do not have access to official cars to assist them in carrying out their duties. When such officers use their private cars for official purposes, the Department processes expenses claims in accordance with protocols set down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I am not aware of any complaints lodged with my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Plant Protection Products (25 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive’s primary aim is to reduce the risks to human health and the environment that are associated with pesticide use. The directive is designed to further enhance the high level of protection achieved through the entire regulatory system for pesticides. This Directive (Directive 2009/128/EC) is transposed into Irish law by Statutory Instrument No....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Herd Numbers (25 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The application for an additional herd number in this case relates to lands that form part of an existing pet farm which is also registered for bovine, ovine, porcine and poultry. An inspection carried out indicated that the requirements for an additional herd number (viz. separate/defined holding) were not met. My Department has written to the applicant outlining the position and the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Payments (25 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: An Official of my Department has made direct contact with the person named on this issue; this is a complex situation where while the person named grew the sugar beet, he was not the Single Payment Applicant at the time entitlements were allocated. Every effort is being made to resolve this issue.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (25 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and received payments for the full six years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. Following the review and re-digitisation of commonage lands in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (25 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: In developing the shape of the new system of Direct Payments in Ireland, I have been very conscious of the needs of sheep farmers, in particular those who farm on hill and commonage land. In general sheep farmers hold low value entitlements under the current Single Payment Scheme and will benefit significantly from the model of convergence that is to be applied in Ireland where those with a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (25 Mar 2014)

Simon Coveney: A review of the land declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that several land parcels were over-declared. The applicant was notified accordingly by letter dated 21 September 2013, in which he was also advised of his right of appeal. To date, no appeal has been received.