Results 27,961-27,980 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sulky Racing (12 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: I understand that the matter to which the Deputy refers is being investigated by An Garda Síochána. This investigation is currently 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...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Inspections (12 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named was the subject of a Nitrates inspection carried out on 27 February 2013 by my Department on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. This inspection recorded breaches under the Nitrates Regulations relating to the failure to minimise the creation of soiled water and the inadequate collection of livestock manure. This resulted in a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (12 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1st 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 are well under...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Parcel Identification System (12 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: As indicated in reply to a previous Question regarding this matter, following initial processing of the application of the person named, dual claims were identified in respect of a number of land parcels declared. Query letters issued to both applicants regarding their entitlement to claim the disputed land. While replies have been received, both farmers maintain that they have the right to...

Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: It is a reasonable question. During the negotiations at European level I have been very strongly in support of positively discriminating in favour of young farmers because we need generational change in this industry. Fewer than 6% of farmers are under the age of 35 in Ireland and that is no basis for the kind of growth and expansion we want for this sector. Everybody agrees we need more...

Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: That is because we cannot; the regulation does not allow it.

Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The idea that anybody would be trying to sell this as a bad deal for young farmers-----

Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: -----is not doing justice to the new Common Agricultural Policy deal. There is more being done for young farmers in this Common Agricultural Policy reform than we have ever seen before.

Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: That is because of a stand Ireland, along with a number of other countries to support the Commission, took to try to get this mandatory measure of positive discrimination in favour of young farmers over the line. It was a success and acknowledged as such-----

Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: -----by young farming organisations. The Deputy is trying to pick case studies from around the country whereby he wants money to be given to everybody.

Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: When we have a limited amount of money to spend, we have to prioritise who gets it. We have prioritised young farmers in their first years of farming. They will get priority treatment and that is what they will get under the negotiated Common Agricultural Policy, which has been welcomed by practically everybody except the Deputy.

Other Questions: Aquaculture Licences Applications (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: There is considerable frustration over aquaculture and nobody is more frustrated than I am. I must be clear, firm and consistent on every application that comes to me, whether it is an application for a very large operation in Galway Bay or for a small operation in Ballycotton. We are obliged to act in a way that is consistent with our commitments to the European Commission and we will do...

Other Questions: Aquaculture Licences Applications (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: I will be somewhat vague on this. I believe the potential is significant. Europe views Ireland as probably having the cleanest aquaculture in the world. Our coast to the west and south west is open to the cleanest waters on the planet, in the Atlantic. That is why organic farmed salmon in Ireland commands a premium price on international markets and why Irish shellfish attracts so much...

Other Questions: Single Payment Scheme Administration (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: I probably gave the Deputy most of the numbers on that earlier. I can probably read the answer for him again.

Other Questions: Single Payment Scheme Administration (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: That is the number of farmers who want us to reconsider the issue and have sought an appeal. However, more than 4,800 farmers are involved here. I will send the Deputy the detailed answer I have here, rather than reading it out because we would run out of time if I did. Approximately 72% of farmers have no issue with mapping or eligibility. A further 20% approximately have made an...

Other Questions: Aquaculture Development (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: It is not unusual for Ministers to aspire to develop an industry and also to have a regulatory function in terms of licensing. Unfortunately, the licensing system introduced by a previous Government, of which Deputy Ó Cuív was part, has caused us a great deal of problems.

Other Questions: Aquaculture Development (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: We are changing the system. We have done so. That is why we now have a template for aquaculture licences, which is something the previous Government could never do.

Other Questions: Aquaculture Development (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: That is why we now have an agreement with the Commission about how this should be done. Unlike the previous Government, we are doing it.

Other Questions: Aquaculture Development (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The system is not a problem. The system can function and will function. I have answered the question about liability. If there is a problem with any fish farm in this country, the operator of that project will need to have liability in place. That will be part of the usual licensing application and delivery process. The same will apply to the project that is under consideration if it...

Other Questions: Aquaculture Development (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: As I have said, this application is under consideration at the moment. I do not intend to debate the intricacies or details of this or any other application. The questions asked by Deputy McGrath must be answered in a very thorough way as part of that process, and they will be. I refer, for example, to the questions that have been asked about the engineering specifications that are...