Results 33,521-33,540 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Programme (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Since the launch of the Rural Development Programme 2007 - 2013 [RDP] expenditure under the programme to 15 October 2012 amounts to €3.5bn. This represents close on 73% of the total value of the Programme which is €4.8bn. Axes 1 and 2 of the Rural Development Programme are administered by my Department while Axes 3 and 4 are delivered by the Department of the Environment,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Plean Teanga (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Seoladh Scéim Gaeilge mo Roinne i mí na Nollag 2006. Tá plean nua á ullmhú lena chur i bhfeidhm in 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Severe Weather Events (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: 2012 was a very difficult year for the production of potato and horticultural crops. The very wet weather during the summer months led to significantly reduced yields and poorer quality. The effects of this will continue through into 2013. The poor weather also led to higher disease pressures and higher costs. In relation to vegetables, there were also negative impacts on the planting of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Milk Quota (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Both the Irish dairy sector and market analysts have regarded the milk quota regime as a brake on the potential of the Irish dairy sector to respond positively to opportunities in the market. With the abolition of milk quotas on the 1st of April 2015, I expect the Irish dairy sector to expand significantly in the years ahead, with output driven by global demand and with significant...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ash Dieback Threat (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The disease Chalara fraxinea or ash dieback poses a very real threat to ash trees throughout Ireland and indeed to those industries which rely on that species for their business - most notably hurley manufacture. A total of 3% of the national forest estate is under ash and 10% of all new planting is currently made up of this important native species. The disease itself is relatively new and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Teagasc Rationalisation Programme (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Teagasc has statutory responsibility to provide education, advisory and research services to the agriculture sector. Programmes and services are developed with clients and partners overseen by an Authority that is representative of the main agriculture stakeholder groups. It is a matter for Teagasc to prioritise activities in the delivery of services and to allocate resources in accordance...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Seirbhísi trí Gaeilge (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: Cuireann mo Roinnse seirbhísí i nGaeilge ar fáil i gcónaí i gceantair Ghaeltachta. Is féidir le duine ar bith ar mian leis dul i mbun gnó leis an Roinn i nGaeilge é sin a dhéanamh ach iarratas a dhéanamh. Is i nGaeilge a dhéanann an fhoireann agus custaiméirí i gceantair Ghaeltachta roinnt dá ngnó, nó a gcuid...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Commission published its proposals for pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy in October of last year as part of a package of seven legislative proposals for reform of the CAP after 2013. These proposals are linked to the EU 2020 Strategy and have three objectives of competitiveness, sustainable management of natural resources and wider rural economy, as under the current round....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Equipment Scheme Applications (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Dairy Equipment Scheme was introduced by my Department on 4 March 2011 in order to provide grant-aid for the purchase of milking machines and milk cooling equipment. The available grant-aid is 40% up to a maximum eligible investment ceiling of €40,000 for milking machines and €25,000 for cooling equipment. Special incentives are provided for certain Milk Production...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Offences (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 130 together. The Programme for Government committed to replacing the criminal sanctions system for minor fisheries offences with administrative sanction system to bring Ireland into line with other European jurisdictions. I sought the advice of the Attorney General on the matter. The Attorney General has responded with a detailed advice on the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Fisheries Policy Negotiations (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The main potential benefit of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) system for Irish fishermen is that it provides a system which aspires to the structured and sustainable management of international fishing activity in each of the key areas of interest to Irish fishermen. In addition, it provides stable arrangements for access to the large EU seafood market for the large volume of Irish seafood...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sugar Industry (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be aware that in 2011 I met with two separate groups which had conducted feasibility studies, into the possibility of establishing a new sugar/bioethanol facility in the country. At both meetings, I stated that any venture to develop a combined sugar/bioethanol production facility would have to be a commercial proposition, financed in total by investors and interested parties...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Timber Supply (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to developing and managing Ireland’s forestry resource in a manner which will ensure sustainable output and growth into the future. The forestry and forest products sector employs nearly 12,000 people in Ireland and generates approximately €2.2 billion in annual output. Our approach to developing the sector is reflected in the budget allocation for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta Dividend (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The details of the dividends paid by Coillte in each of the past five years and to date this year are as outlined below. Year Dividend Paid Type of dividend and year to which it related 2007 - - 2008 €2,599,716 Interim dividend in respect of 2008. Received December 2008 2009 - - 2010 - - 2011 €10,000,000 Interim dividend in respect of 2011. Received...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Penalties (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: As it has not been possible to collate the data sought by the Deputy within the available timescale, I am arranging for it to be forwarded directly it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Harvest 2020 Strategy (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: As indicated in Milestones for Success 2012 , the second progress report on Food Harvest 2020, the agri-food sector is currently well placed to achieve the key targets set out for 2020 in Food Harvest. Specifically, working from the baseline figures, by end 2011 the value of both primary output and exports has increased by almost 19% and 10% respectively , vis-a vis the relevant 33% and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Marine Plan (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 126 together. Following a successful public consultation process, the Government has published an integrated Marine Plan for Ireland entitled ‘Harnessing our Ocean Wealth’ which takes account of the various submissions received in the public consultation process and builds on the ongoing and future work of the various Government...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Fisheries Policy Review (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the fisheries policy of the European Union which was first put in place in 1983 and has been subject to reviews every 10 years. The current CFP is under review and will not be completed during the Cypriot Presidency and accordingly will fall for delivery during the Irish Presidency of the EU. My overarching goal for the new CFP is for a sustainable,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bovine Disease Controls (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The bovine TB eradication programme includes a comprehensive range of measures, including the mandatory annual testing of all cattle in the national herd, the early removal of reactors, the payment of compensation for cattle removed as reactors, implementation of a range of supplementary tests such as post-derestriction and contiguous tests, a wildlife programme, and the depopulation of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments (6 Nov 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme is a five-year Scheme for beef animals born during the period, which commenced on 1 January 2008 and will end on 31 December 2012. The primary objectives of the Scheme was to improve welfare standards in the sector and to assist in the establishment of a breeding database from which suckler farmers could identify the best breeding stock for their particular...