Results 29,761-29,780 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry Development (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: I am confident that the industry developed targets set out in Food Harvest 2020, our comprehensive plan for the development of the sector, are achievable and can be met. This planned expansion of the sector will contribute to Ireland's economic recovery. The main targets in the Food Harvest report are by 2020 to increase the value of - Agriculture, food (including seafood) and drink...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Exports (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 481 and 482 together. I have had no discussions with my UK counterpart on this issue. In the event of the UK deciding on a different form of relationship with the European Union, negotiations would be undertaken at EU level on the form of trading relationships that would apply and whether this would include a free trade area. Ireland and the UK have strong...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Labelling (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation at both EU and domestic level, with The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) under the aegis the Minister for Health responsible for the enforcement of food safety and labelling requirements in Ireland. It carries out this remit through service contracts with my Department and other agencies...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Payments (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: Following a recent on-farm inspection it was established that the size of the sow house currently under construction by the person named is in accordance with the specifications submitted with the application and for which an approval has already issued. The person named is an approved applicant under the TAMS Sow Welfare Scheme.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Labelling (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation at both EU and domestic level, with The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) under the aegis the Minister for Health responsible for the enforcement of food safety and labelling requirements in Ireland. It carries out this remit through service contracts with my Department and other agencies...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Irish fishing fleet depends on healthy and sustainable stocks for it’s medium and long term viability. The 2013 Fisheries Impact Assessment which I presented to the Oireachtas late last year acknowledges that while many stocks in which the Irish fleet have an interest are not in a healthy biological state, there has been an improvement in 2012 on the state of the resource base in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Cereal Sector (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The maintenance of an efficient and viable cereals sector in Ireland is clearly very important to the well being of the agrifood industry. Indigenous production of cereals is of course, an important part of primary agriculture production. In addition to generating an income for our tillage farmers, the cereals sector is a key source of grain for the milling and malting industry and feeding...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Technology Adoption Programme Payments (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: Approved 2012 Beef Technology Adoption Programme participants were required to attend a prescribed number of discussion group meetings or approved national events, in addition to completing two Tasks, chosen from a menu of eight, designed to enhance on-farm efficiency. The broad range of available Task options allowed participants to choose those best suited to the business needs and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Appeals (24 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 28th November 2012. The process of ranking and selecting all AEOS applicants was clearly set out in the scheme documentation. Acceptance into the scheme was established using the predetermined selection criteria as follows: - farmers in the Boora region of Co. Offaly who chose Wild...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grant Payments (19 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The file in question has been provided by my Department to the Agriculture Appeals Office.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (19 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The National Dairy Council (NDC) is a private company owned by its member dairy processors/co-operatives. As Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I have no ownership, planning or operational role in relation to the organisation. I have been made aware of a case brought by the Dairy Council of Northern Ireland against the NDC with the European Commission DG for Competition. It...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Farming (19 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The application for an aquaculture and foreshore licence submitted to my Department by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) are currently under active consideration in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and 1933 Foreshore Act. The preparation of the EIS is a matter for the applicant. It would not be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grant Payments (19 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: All afforestation grants are paid to enable an applicant to establish a forestry plantation and the applicant gains an asset as a result of these grants. The applicant employs a forestry company to do the establishment work and, as with any service provided, he/she must pay the company for the work completed. The plantation owner may pay the contractor directly or he/she may sign a mandate...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Afforestation Programme (19 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: Where debts arise on afforestation contracts, each liability is assessed on a case by case basis. As the Statute of Limitations Act 1957 and the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991 legislate for debt recovery and related matters, this legislation may apply to some afforestation contract debt cases.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (19 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: There are no plans to defer any commitments within REPS plans and the commitments as set out in the REPS 4 Plans must be delivered in accordance with the agreed schedule.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Afforestation Programme (19 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: A report on land availability for afforestation is being compiled by a COFORD Council group and is currently at a draft stage. It will be submitted to the Council, and subsequently for consideration by the Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Afforestation Programme (19 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: Because of the proximity of the proposed planting to a national monument, a detailed archaeological examination of the area was required. This examination is now complete and the application is currently with the Forestry Inspectorate for consideration and recommendation in relation to the project. This should be complete within the next few weeks and a decision on the application will be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Pension Scheme (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988. The types of pension schemes currently operated by Coillte and their respective deficits/surpluses are as stated in the Company’s Annual Report 2012, copies of which were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas at the end of July 2013. As the defined benefit Coillte Teoranta No. 1 Fund...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Premium Payments (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: The applicant in question has two forestry contracts. The second instalment of the establishment grants for these two forestry plantations have not been paid due to outstanding remedial works. In July 2011 the applicant was notified of the works needed to bring the first site up to standard. In July 2012 she was notified that works were also required on the other plantation. The first...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications (18 Sep 2013)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 4December 2012. The process of ranking and selecting all AEOS applicants was clearly set out in the scheme documentation. Acceptance into the scheme was established using the pre-determined selection criteria as follows: - farmers in the Boora region of Co. Offaly who chose...