Results 32,621-32,640 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: While the three markets in question are open to exports of live cattle from Ireland, no trade is currently taking place. The question of when trade will begin is dependent on a number of factors, including commercial factors such as price and demand and the availability and cost of suitable sea transport. My Department has made every effort to facilitate ship approval and I am hopeful that a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta Dividend (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: Coillte Teoranta paid a dividend of €2 million to the State in September 2012. This was an interim dividend in respect of the period January to June 2012. Discussions regarding final dividend for 2012 are not concluded.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: The CAP reform proposals provide an option for Member States to apply a regional approach but there is no obligation on Member States to do so.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Eligibility (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme, is, in fact, is due to end on 31 December 2012. This Scheme was a five-year Scheme for beef animals born in herds owned by eligible participants during the period, which commenced on 1 January 2008 and ending on 31 December 2012. In that regard, I have made funding of €10 million available in 2013 to continue to make aid payments on calves born in 2012....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Grassland Sheep Scheme is one of the measures funded by unused Single Farm Payment funds. Under the governing EU Regulations, the payment of aid under these measures cannot commence prior to 1 December. I am pleased to announce that payments under the 2012 Grassland Sheep Scheme to sheep farmers will issue in the coming days and that the vast majority of eligible applicants will be paid...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Feabhsú Céibheanna (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: Is le mo Roinn an Cuan Thuaidh in Oileán Chléire agus tá sí freagrach dá réir sin as é a chothabháil agus a dheisiú. Tá monatóireacht á déanamh ag mo Roinn ar chúrsaí ag an gCuan Thuaidh le roinnt blianta anuas agus go háirithe ar mheath na coda sin den Chuan Thuaidh ar a dtugtar Srón an Tairbh. Tá an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Applications (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department, in the context of delivering the Single Payment Schemes, Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme and other area related schemes, is required to carry out a programme of annual inspections. This inspection regime covers both the eligibility of land declared to drawn down payments and also cross compliance aspects, to ensure adherence with EU regulatory requirements in the areas of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare Issues (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Animal Health and Welfare Bill, in the main, consolidates existing legislation in the animal health and welfare area. It does not introduce any new requirements on farmers. Animal welfare is an essential part of farming practices and the Animal Health and Welfare Bill represents a further step towards improving Ireland’s already high welfare standards and practices. Markets and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: I have discussed the proposal for a tax relieved loan scheme with the Irish Farmers Association and other interests. The proposal was also discussed by my officials with the Department of Finance, who have responsibility for tax policy.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ash Dieback Threat (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Department yesterday announced a significant stepping up of its eradication measures based on the results of its ongoing Chalara survey. The interim results from the major winter survey currently being undertaken has confirmed further positive samples for the presence of Chalara. This brings the number of positive cases to 22, including 15 in young plantations, 6 in horticultural...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Payments (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: Total funding of €20 million was provided in the Department’s Vote this year for the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes which provide support for investment in the Poultry, Sow, Dairy and Sheep sectors. To date in 2012, €12.84 million has been paid out under the schemes and I expect that total expenditure will reach €15.1 million by the end of the year....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: Approximately 10,000 AEOS 3 applications were received in my Department’s offices at Johnstown Castle by close of business on Friday December 7, the closing date for submission of applications under the scheme. My Department is currently registering the receipt of all applications prior to commencing with the detailed inputting of application details. I expect that this initial...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ash Dieback Threat (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department yesterday announced a significant stepping up of its eradication measures based on the results of its ongoing Chalara survey. The interim results from the major winter survey currently being undertaken has confirmed further positive samples for the presence of Chalara. This brings the number of positive cases to 22, including 15 in young plantations, 6 in horticultural...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Budget 2013 (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: Bearing in mind that the 2013 Budget was agreed against a background of a very difficult financial situation, I managed, with re-orienting and re-scheduling payments within my Department’s budget, to keep the adjustments made to Schemes to a minimum. It was also my objective to protect, in so far as is possible, the smaller-scale farmers situated in Disadvantaged Areas. In relation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: In the first instance I would like to set the record straight in that no decision was made to discontinue the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme, which, in fact, is due to end on 31 December 2012.. This Scheme was a five-year Scheme for beef animals born in herds owned by eligible participants during the period, which commenced on 1 January 2008 and ending on 31 December 2012. In that regard, I have...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has submitted an application to my Department for an Aquaculture and a Foreshore Licence for the cultivation of Finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is currently being considered fully in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the1933 Foreshore Act as...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: While personal financial difficulties are primarily a matter between the individual farmers and their banks, nevertheless, my Department is in regular contact with farm bodies, various national banks and the Banking Federation on a regular basis to discuss all credit-related issues . In addition, farmers who are not satisfied with the service provided by their banks can apply to the Credit...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Application Numbers (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: The details sought by the Deputy are set out in the table. However, with appeals ongoing and payments being made twice weekly, in order to maximise payments by year end, the picture continues to evolve. In a total of 74 cases, a 100% penalty was applied as the applications concerned were received after the closing date for receipt of late applications. The governing EU regulations require...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Application Numbers (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: As it is not possible to compile the full information requested in the available timescale, I am arranging for it to be provided directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: European Council Meetings (13 Dec 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Presidency Conclusions of the Council on 29 March 2010 invited the Commission to explore ways of favouring a proportionate balance of bargaining power between stakeholders in the food supply chain and underlined the necessity for the Commission in cooperation with member States to identify and combat unfair trading practices and to put in place stricter controls and easier reporting...