Results 33,461-33,480 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Public Sector Pensions (8 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: All civil service pensions are paid by the Paymaster General’s Office and the Minister for Public Expenditure is providing these details. The parallel information in respect of the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the bodies themselves. My Department is responsible for the payment of pensions to a number of former employees of bodies under the aegis of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (7 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Processing of the application concerned has recently been completed and payments under the Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will shortly issue to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (7 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Payment under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme issued on 16 October to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications (7 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: While the person named applied for derogation under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas scheme, the application was unsuccessful. In the derogation application, documentation was submitted in relation to additional horses on the holding in 2011, over and above those previously notified to my Department; however, even when these are taken into account, the stocking density of the holding in 2011...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Grants (7 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The applicant planted 11.92 hectares under his afforestation contract in May 2000. The calculation of his premiums is based on this amount and the correct rates are also applied. Therefore, the amount of €5,692.32 that is now being paid to the applicant is correct.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (7 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The maintenance of an efficient and viable cereals sector in Ireland is clearly very important to the well being of the agri-food 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: Aquaculture Licences (7 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Castlemaine Harbour is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 site). My Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has engaged in a major programme to gather the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Applications (7 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2009 and received payments for the first two years of their contract. In addition, in May 2009 the person named was awarded a contract under the Organic Farming Scheme and commenced participation in this scheme in June 2009. REPS 4 is a measure under the Rural Development Programme 2007-13 and is subject to EU regulations which require detailed...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Missions (7 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: China is a key strategic trade partner for Ireland and has a strong demand for imports of quality food, given the size of its population and concerns over food security and safety. Ireland is strategically placed to be a key supplier of quality meats, dairy products, beverages, seafood and other products and services to China. In 2011, Ireland exported €244m of these products to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Applications (7 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: An error identified with the application concerned has now been resolved and payment will issue in the near future to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences (7 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has submitted an application for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement is currently being considered in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act. My Department has also issued a Site Investigation Licence to BIM in respect...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Casual Trading Regulations (7 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Promotion of farmers markets is primarily a matter for local authorities to whom responsibility for the granting of casual trading licences in public places is provided for under the Casual Trading Act, 1995. In order to promote awareness of the market opportunities that farmers markets can offer to small producers my Department and Bord Bia drafted a voluntary Code of Good Practice for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beekeeping Industry (7 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: To date the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has not commissioned any research directly into the exposure of Irish honeybees to pesticides. However since 2008 Ireland has participated in the COLOSS Research Network which is investigating possible causes of honeybee colony mortality worldwide. This network involves a collaboration of researchers from over 50 countries using...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ash Dieback Threat (7 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department confirmed a finding of Chalara fraxinea - ash dieback - in Co. Leitrim in October. Since then measures were taken to protect our ash trees from the spread of this disease. Firstly all material from the imported consignment concerned was destroyed. In addition, I put in place legislation banning the import of ash plants from countries or parts of countries known to have the...

Other Questions: Sheep Imports (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Yes.

Other Questions: Dairy Sector (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am glad to see Deputy Martin showing interest in the liquid milk market.

Other Questions: Dairy Sector (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: It certainly does. I see that Deputy Kelleher has also joined us for the discussion. Prices paid for products in the marketplace are a function of a number of market forces and the negotiation of commercial contracts is essentially a matter for the contracting parties. The National Milk Agency, which operates under the aegis of my Department, was set up in 1994 to regulate the supply of...

Other Questions: Dairy Sector (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: On the Deputy's last question, he might well see supports trying to do that under pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, reform process. For example, producer groups would be supported so that farmers could negotiate prices collectively and more effectively. This should and could happen in the beef, sheepmeat and lamb sectors, where farmers should be negotiating in a more...

Other Questions: Dairy Sector (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am not quite sure what the Deputy is seeking. Does he want the Commission to start setting milk prices across Europe?

Other Questions: Dairy Sector (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: We must have a functioning, competitive marketplace. In this context we must find ways to increase the negotiating power of primary producers of food to ensure that they are not solely price takers when they go to market. To help us in this regard, the EU has proposed that the producer group model be supported. It is active in other parts of Europe but not as active in certain parts of...