Results 34,861-34,880 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Agriculture Scheme Penalties: Agriculture Scheme Penalties (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: I regret the delay in responding to the Deputy. The data sought by the Deputy is set out below in respect of the 2009 and 2010 Schemes. The data in respect of the 2011 Schemes will be made available when it is finalised later in the year. 2009 Single Payment Scheme - Eligibility/Area-Based Reductions & Penalties County No. of Applicants -Late Penalty Reduction Applied Value - Late...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: There is good support from my colleagues in the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers for the Common Agricultural Policy and recognition of the importance of EU agriculture in the context of Europe's economic and industrial recovery. This importance was acknowledged in the conclusions by the Heads of State and Government at the spring 2010 European Council and continues to be accepted by my...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Action Plan on Food Price Volatility and Agriculture adopted by the Ministers of Agriculture of the G20 in June 2011 underlined that to feed a world population expected to exceed 9.3 billion by 2050, agricultural production will have to increase between 50 and 70 percent, and by almost 100 percent in developing countries. The EU is a large food-producing bloc and must play its part in...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The WTO Doha Development Round talks are stalled at present and the prospects for conclusion of an agreement are uncertain at this point in time. Nevertheless, I will continue to maintain pressure to secure an acceptable outcome from these negotiations that does not undermine the development of the European and Irish agri-food sectors.

Written Answers — Farming Cost Increases: Farming Cost Increases (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am of course in regular contact, both directly and through correspondence, with farming representative bodies, as are my officials, and I am aware of the challenges faced by farmers, including increased cost of inputs such as fuel, feed and fertiliser as well as access to credit. Fuel and energy costs are a major part of overall costs for farmers. One of the long-standing measures in...

Written Answers — Food Exports: Food Exports (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: Ireland's food and beverage exports are outlined in the table below. As you can see, both 2010 and 2011 were very good years for Irish agriculture. However, 2009 was a particularly bad year and I am conscious that in a global marketplace there are many challenges can cause difficulties for Irish farmers. In 2010 a detailed analysis of the agriculture sector led to the production of Food...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The decision to abolish milk quotas with effect from 1st April 2015 was made in the context of the CAP Health Check in 2008. Ireland strongly supported their abolition, on the basis that quotas were widely regarded by both the Irish dairy sector and market analysts as a brake on the potential of the Irish dairy sector to respond positively to market opportunities. The ending of milk quota...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: Food production and traceability in the countries of the European Union operate in accordance with harmonised rules and member states controls are subject to audit and supervision by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the EU. Imported product of animal origin from a country outside of the EU is subject to controls operated by the FVO. Such product must come from a country recognised...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: Food production and labelling in the countries of the European Union operates in accordance with harmonised rules and member states, including Ireland, are required to implement controls to ensure compliance by Food Business Operators. These controls are subject to audit and supervision by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the EU. Beef labelling in particular is subject to...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare Issues: Animal Welfare Issues (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The pig sector remains the third largest individual component of the agrifood sector, with production, prices and exports all growing significantly during 2011. The industry faces a number of challenges in the short and medium term and my Department will continue to assist the sector to resolve these issues. New EU Animal Welfare rules set down new standards in relation to the housing of...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The levels of Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and quotas for each fish stock each year are determined at the December Council of Fisheries Ministers. The Council makes decisions based on scientific advice from ICES (the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas), and also on the views of the STECF (the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries), which gives the...

Written Answers — Beef Sector: Beef Sector (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: Cattle prices are determined by supply and demand dynamics in the marketplace. The deadweight price for the benchmark (R3) steer category at start of June was €4.01/kg (excl. VAT) compared to €3.52/kg for the same period in 2011. The average steer price so far this year is 18.5% higher than last year. This trend reflects low supply availability as evidenced by reduced cattle throughput at...

Written Answers — Pigmeat and Sheep Sectors: Pigmeat and Sheep Sectors (14 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The market performance of the sheep and pork sectors, in common with other agricultural sectors, is a function of supply and demand. The long-term future of the sectors will depend on their ability to satisfy the market and in order to do this well, they must focus on competitiveness, innovation and the demands of the consumer. Sheep sector Food Harvest 2020 sets a target of 20% increase in...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (13 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010 and full payment totalling €486.14 issued in respect of 2010. 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...

Written Answers — Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (13 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: In February 2010, the Bioenergy Scheme was launched as part of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) under the Rural Development Programme. This Scheme is 50% co-funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The level of grant-aid available under the Bioenergy Scheme since 2010 is 50% of the crop establishment costs up to a maximum of €1,300 per hectare....

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (13 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The regulations governing the EU Single Payment Scheme require that all applications under the Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme must be received in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, or submitted on-line to the Department, no later than midnight on 15 May. Under the provisions of the relevant EU Regulations, there is, however, a 25 day period after the 15 May for the...

Written Answers — Public Sector Pay: Public Sector Pay (13 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: As a subsidiary of a non commercial state agency Moorepark Technology Limited (MTL) is subject to public sector pay policy insofar as it is required to obtain Departmental approval for pay rates. MTL is also deemed to be a "public service body" under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 by virtue of the fact that they have a public service pension scheme, and is,...

Written Answers — Public Service Remuneration: Public Service Remuneration (13 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: No bonuses were paid to Chief Executives of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department in 2011. Queries on bonuses to the senior officials in the State Bodies should be directed to the State Bodies themselves.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (13 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: It is not possible to provide this information in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (13 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: As of the end of May 2012, my Department had engaged 71 temporary IT contractors. IT expenditure is based on competitive tendering with extensive use of Central Government and Department specific procurement frameworks which continue to drive costs down. My Department currently employs two Temporary Clerical Officers on fixed term contracts, for 13 weeks and 10 weeks respectively. They are...