Results 34,281-34,300 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Other Questions: Fishing Industry Development (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I reject the contention that our ocean wealth has not been properly researched. If one includes the Attorney General's office, ten Departments were involved in putting this report together. For the first time, we have an integrated maritime strategy which involves all of the relevant Departments working collectively. I chair the implementation group which meets on a bimonthly basis to...

Other Questions: Fishing Industry Development (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: The valuation of Ireland's total allowable catch went beyond €250 million for the first time last year.

Other Questions: Fishing Industry Development (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am getting to the Deputy's question. The value of fish caught in Irish waters by non-Irish vessels represents some 20% of that total. In fact, it probably represents slightly more in value terms if one takes mackerel into account. The value of the catch for other fleets in our waters would be up to some €800 million.

Other Questions: Fishing Industry Development (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: No, because discards are not included in the total allowable catch - that is the point.

Other Questions: Fishing Industry Development (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: If one does not have a quota, one cannot catch fish. That is the essence of the problem.

Other Questions: Fishing Industry Development (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: That type of immoral waste cannot continue. We are working with the industry to use technical measures as well as new fishing methods to avoid by-catch.

Other Questions: Fishing Industry Development (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: We are also working with the European Commission and other member states to establish an anti-discards policy over the next three to four years, which I think will be very effective, along with a series of other policies on sustainability. Additional information not given on the floor of the House. On 31 July a new national integrated marine plan, Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth, was launched...

Other Questions: Fishing Industry Development (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am very interested in fish farming but I am also absolutely committed to the broader fishing industry. I am upbeat about the industry because it has a bright future. However, we need to manage both it and our fish stocks in a sustainable way. Some of the stocks are currently in the process of recovery. For example, many of the fishermen whom Deputy Daly knows are fishing in the Irish...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aquaculture Licences (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I agree with the Deputy's final comment but it must be remembered that not every licence application will be successful. Some of them will be inappropriate and others will relate to areas which are too sensitive in the context of the ecosystems and marine resources which exist there. However, I hope that many of these licences will be granted. It is my job to provide the necessary and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aquaculture Licences (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: We are determined to do both.

Other Questions: Fishing Industry Development (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am delighted Deputy Clare Daly is showing an interest in our ocean wealth.

Other Questions: Fishing Industry Development (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: That is not to suggest that she should not be doing so. I am pleased with her interest in this area. During the summer we launched a document, Harvesting Our Ocean Wealth, which is going to be as strategic for our ocean resources as the Food Harvest 2020 document, which was launched by the previous Government, is for the food industry. Essentially, the document to which I refer provides a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aquaculture Licences (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: We are doing many things to answer the issues raised in the Deputy's questions. The Minister, Deputy Deenihan, has been very helpful on this issue and the Minister and myself have put extra resources into trying to get the assessments done in the Natura bays so we can make determinations on licence applications in those areas but we are required to do that by law. There are no shortcuts in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Severe Weather Events (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I will not start to give assurances one way or the other in regard to schemes for next year because that is a budget debate and I will not make early budget promises. However, I am very conscious of the importance of schemes for farmers' incomes and will try to protect them as best I can. I will not make absolute claims at this stage, however, three months away from the budget. In regard...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Severe Weather Events (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: -----and farmers, and the amount of money being spent in terms of the percentage of loans being made. The amount being spent on agriculture, agrifood and farming is considerably above what it would have been in previous years. In answer to Deputy Ó Cuív's question, we are doing a great deal on live exports. We have opened up an entire series of new markets, the most recent...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aquaculture Licences (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Fleming's question relates to a real frustration I have, namely, to try to issue aquaculture licences as quickly as possible. I have a long answer here to his question which he will receive but I do not wish to read all of it out, thereby taking up the time allocated and perhaps not answering some of the specific questions he might have. Essentially, what has happened in this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Severe Weather Events (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I did not make a virtue out of it.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Severe Weather Events (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I had nothing to do with it.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Severe Weather Events (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Ó Cuív asked a lot of questions. I totally reject that we have done nothing. It is quite the opposite. I have met all the banks in this country and I met a number of them on more than one occasion. Extra funding has been made available. Ulster Bank, for example, launched a specific food harvest fund. In the past fortnight Bank of Ireland launched with me a €250...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Severe Weather Events (25 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: -----when we need to support real farmers in disadvantaged areas. That is why we also have a fair derogation system, which is being applied at present, and will have a fair appeals system with an independent chair, who is currently the chair of Connacht Gold. I say that in case anybody is concerned that the west of Ireland is not being represented - it is. This has been a very difficult...