Results 29,941-29,960 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Technology Adoption Programme Payments (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that the payment due under the 2012 Beef Technology Adoption Programme issued by my Department to the person named on 8 July 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Safety Authority Investigations (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The report on the 'Equine DNA and Mislabelling of Processed Beef Investigation', which I published on 14th March, provides extensive details on the investigation and the actions taken by my Department. Operations in a total of four plants were suspended (in some cases on a voluntary basis) for varying periods arising from the investigation. My Department is considering legal proceedings...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: It is important that we do as much as we can over the next few months to ensure that Irish farmers are not faced with the same issues and difficulties next Winter as experienced earlier this year in sourcing adequate fodder for their animals. Accordingly, Teagasc’s Interagency Fodder Committee is currently monitoring the fodder situation while also examining and co-ordinating the next...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: During the fodder situation, concerns regarding access to credit and flexibility around loan repayments were significant issues for many farmers. My Department has been in contact with the banks, co-ops and feed merchants to urge flexibility and co-operation. Both banks and co-ops have asked farmers to contact them to discuss the terms that are available and have indicated that they will show...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Processing of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is largely finalised, with a small number of residual cases continuing to be processed as further supporting documentation and information is submitted by applicants. To date, payments worth in excess of €210 million have issued to 95,590 beneficiaries compared to €223 million paid under the 2011 Scheme. The level of savings...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Of the five applications for approval of ships outstanding at the 29th May, four of the ships involved have now undergone inspections by an independent marine surveyor and a Department Veterinary Inspector. All four were deemed not to meet the standards laid out in the legislation in their current state. Detailed reports have issued to the ship owners on foot of these inspections. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse Slaughter Statistics (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 987 and 990 together. Horses can be slaughtered for human consumption subject to a number of conditions, including that they have been registered within six months of birth or by 31st December of the year of birth whichever is the later, have not have been treated with any prohibited veterinary medicines and are accompanied to the slaughterhouse by the horse...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Legal Costs (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Legal advice was sought outside of the Office of the Attorney General three times in 2011, none in 2012 and three times to date in 2013. The total costs for this service was €10,820.50 in 2011 and €19,907 in 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Eligibility (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The above named was selected for a 2011 eligibility inspection, which was carried out by way of Remote Sensing. In order to complete the inspection process, it was necessary to carry out an on-the-spot inspection of the holding of the applicant. The final conclusion of the inspection process was that 89% of the applicant’s declared land was deemed ineligible because of scrub. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: International Bodies Membership (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The FAO Conference is a bi-annual event that brings together representatives from virtually every country in the world. In addition to the formal agenda there are also a number of 'side events; organised by various groups and Member Countries covering various themes related to Food and Agriculture. As President of the EU, Ireland had the task of coordinating the views of all EU Member...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Inspections (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Due to the volume of the information requested by the Deputy, it was not possible to provide it in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2011 and has received full payment totalling €1,319.00 in respect of 2011. The person named was selected for a ground inspection which took place on 15th November 2012. Non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme were found in relation to the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Funding (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Helvick Pier, Ballincourty and Dungarvan Harbour are in the ownership of Waterford County Council and responsibility for their repair and upkeep rests with that Local Authority in the first instance. Under the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme my Department has provided funding for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers and slipways subject to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Funding (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department administers the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme on an annual basis. Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department and as such it receives funding annually on foot of the Programme. The following table shows the allocation of funding under...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Funding (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The harbour at Dunmore East is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department. Funding is made available on an annual basis by my Department to the Fishery Harbour Centres, including Dunmore East, via the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme. I am happy to confirm to the Deputy that funding in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department has in recent weeks received an enquiry from one shipping company in the UK regarding the approval procedure for ships engaging in the carriage of livestock on Roll on – Roll off vessels. However, no application has been received to date.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Payments (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person concerned is an applicant for grant-aid under the TAMS Sheep Fencing/Handling Scheme and has received approval to proceed with the investment works concerned. To date, my Department has no record of having received a payment claim in relation to the application concerned.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tax Reliefs Availability (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Capital Gains Tax Relief (CGT) is available to farmers over 55 years who dispose of certain qualifying assets. This relief, which is more commonly known as “retirement relief”, continues to be available having been in place for many years. Qualifying assets relevant to farming include: - The chargeable business asset of the individual which he/she has owned for at least ten...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Policy (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: Preparatory work for the next rural development programme has already commenced. This includes the appointment of independent ex ante evaluators in January 2013, following a public tendering process, to undertake an Ex Ante Evaluation, a Strategic Environmental Assessment and an Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Directive for the new rural development programme. Work on these three...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Export Controls (16 Jul 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be aware that last week I welcomed the milestone decision by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Food Safety Committee to formally lift longstanding bans on exports of Irish beef and sheepmeat from Ireland to the GCC region. These bans had been in place for well over a decade because of legacy concerns related to scrapie and BSE. This is a clear signal from the Gulf States of...