Results 31,761-31,780 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

State Forestry: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Technical Group for bringing this motion before the House and giving me an opportunity to speak on the issue. I was not present for the start of the debate yesterday because I was in Brussels. I am pleased to be in the House this evening to contribute to this important debate which, however, may be somewhat premature. There is an assumption that a decision has been made and it...

Topical Issue Debate: Horsemeat Investigation (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: I will answer any questions the Deputy has on this issue. If he wants to ask me those questions privately, I will brief him privately. If he wants to ask me those questions on the record, we will take them in the House. If he wants to ask me those questions in committee, we will do it there. We have nothing to hide. This industry must be transparent. That is the reason for the ongoing...

Topical Issue Debate: Horsemeat Investigation (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: We have a special investigations unit which is independent within my Department. It is working with the FSAI, which is also independent, and with the Garda, which the Deputy must accept is entirely independent. I have to give political leadership, because not only do we need a thorough investigation of how this happened from an Irish perspective in order to contribute to the Europe-wide...

Topical Issue Debate: Horsemeat Investigation (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: It was the Deputy's initiative, was it?

Topical Issue Debate: Horsemeat Investigation (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Ó Cuív keeps saying I have not answered certain questions. I have answered that question. I have produced an information note for anybody who wants it - I will send it to the Deputy this evening - on what we have done in the past 12 months regarding equine identification, passports, linking those passports with microchips, increased supervision within equine slaughtering...

Topical Issue Debate: Horsemeat Investigation (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will shortly obtain a written response to which he can refer. I agree with him in the context of the outcome he is seeking, namely, restoring credibility and confidence to an industry which has been damaged by what happened during the past six weeks. That is the reason we are so focused on getting the answers the Deputy is looking for, and I believe we have the independence in the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named is one of a number of applicants under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, whose cases were impacted by the requirement to have had a minimum stocking density on their holding of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011 and who applied for and were refused derogation in this regard. The person named subsequently availed of the option to appeal to the independently...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horticulture Sector (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector, funded under the 2007-2013 National Development Plan, provides grant aid for horticultural growers who are making capital investments in specialist plant and equipment. The main objectives of the scheme are to improve the quality of products, to facilitate environmentally friendly practices and promote...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Applications (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named registered 12 animals for the 2011 Suckler Welfare Scheme. When initially applying to participate in the Scheme in 2008, applicants undertook to carry out and notify my Department of relevant measures carried out in respect of their animals for the full 5 year duration of this Scheme. In August 2011, applicants were informed of the requirement to notify details of such...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 22 November 2012. The initial processing of the applications has been completed and acknowledgement letters have issued to all applicants. The detailed actions listed in each application are currently being recorded and all applications will be ranked and selected according to the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Labelling (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: In 2011 the European Union passed a new Council Regulation on Food Information for the Consumers (FIC), Regulation 1169/2011, which has updated the requirements for consumer information and labelling in a number of areas including; country of origin or place of provenance including the origin labelling for meats other than beef, voluntary labelling of all foods and the mandatory labelling of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1 September 2011. 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. During these checks an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: Under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, holdings of eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of six consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. While the holding of the person named was confirmed as having...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: Following a death in the family concerned, it was necessary that the legal processes be completed and the resultant amendments made to my Department’s records, on foot of legal documentation submitted. These processes have been completed and payments under both the Single Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme have issued respectively in December 2012 and January 2013 to the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: Under 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, holdings of eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of six consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. While the holding concerned has been confirmed as having bovines and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Application Numbers (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010 and full payments totalling €1,567.05 and €4,999.96 issued in respect of 2010 and 2011 respectively. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Numbers (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 256 together. My Department, from time to time, employs staff from agencies to provide certain services when such proves to be more cost effective and Department staff are not available. Such expenditure is based on competitive tendering with extensive use of Central Government and Department specific frameworks which continue to drive costs down....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (27 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: A retired Assistant Secretary was re-engaged by my Department on a contract basis which is due to expire at the end of the EU Presidency on 28 June 2013. His current contract involves a total cost of €63,553.50. A retired Senior Research Officer was re-engaged by my Department on a contract basis for a limited period which is due to expire on 1 March 2013. Since...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (26 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 14th November 2012. The initial processing of the applications has been completed and acknowledgement letters have issued to all applicants. The detailed actions listed in each application are currently being recorded and all applications will be ranked and selected according to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Applications (26 Feb 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Single Payment Scheme is governed by the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009, Commission Regulation (EC) No 1120/2009 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1122/2009. During the validation of the land declared by the person named in the application for the purposes of payment, it was established by this Department there was an over-claim in respect the land in question....