Results 34,881-34,900 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (13 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: No appointment has been deferred in the circumstances outlined by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (13 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: In accordance with the Government's decision in 2011, I invite expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies operating under the aegis of my Department. In making any board appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but will ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant mix of knowledge...

Common Fisheries Policy: Statements (13 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: I would like to answer the questions in detail and if any Deputies have specific questions, they should feel free to intervene and I will be happy to answer them. I will begin with Deputy Browne's comments on what Seán O'Donoghue said this morning. Outside of my Department, most of us involved with fishing would accept that there is nobody who knows more about the fishing industry than...

Common Fisheries Policy: Statements (13 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: If a country goes back to the Commission, this essentially means it is going back to the European Parliament and Council, which means it can appeal to all the other Ministers. If something unreasonable is being imposed, other countries can get involved which would not otherwise have participated in the debate. Thus, there is a certain level of protection there. One of the fundamental...

Common Fisheries Policy: Statements (13 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: Basically, yes. There is not really a weighting as such, because each side essentially has a veto, in that it can just not agree and therefore delay a decision. That is why people such as Pat The Cope Gallagher, MEP, are so important in the European Parliament, as is Jim Higgins, MEP. One is a full member of the fisheries committee, while the other is a substitute member. It is also...

Common Fisheries Policy: Statements (13 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: It will be both. There will be monetary support for producer groups. This is one of the matters about which the Commission feels strongly; it wants to empower collective producer groups because that is the best way of ensuring they secure the right prices for their products. We will see strong support for such groups. We all agree on the point about individual transferable quotas, ITQs....

Common Fisheries Policy: Statements (13 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am glad to have the opportunity to update the House on the result of a long but successful Council of Ministers meeting last night. Its objective was to get agreement among member states on a Common Position from the Council's perspective on the Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, reform. This morning's EU Fisheries Council adopted a general approach on the reform of the Common Fisheries...

Common Fisheries Policy: Statements (13 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: No, I am happy to let others speak and would rather listen to what they have to say. While my understanding was that 15 minutes were allocated to me, of which I have taken ten, I will be glad to give Members more time because I would rather listen to what they have to say.

Written Answers — EU Programmes: EU Programmes (12 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: Agri-environment measures for the programming period 2007 – 2013 are provided for in Council Regulation 1698/ 2005, as amended, which sets out the rules governing the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Detailed rules for scheme implementation are set out in Commission Regulations 1974/ 2006 and 65/2011, as amended. In practice, all agri-environment schemes must be...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (12 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: Axis 1 and 2 of the Rural Development Programme are administered by my Department while Axis 3/4 is delivered by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. A broadband measure is delivered by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Details of the allocation and spend per measure under Axis 1 and 2 of the Programme up to 31 March 2012 are set out...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (12 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2009 and has received payment of €4,721.68 in February 2010 for his first year part payment, and €8094.30 for the full second year in May 2011. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any...

Written Answers — Tionscail na hIascaireachta: Tionscail na hIascaireachta (12 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: Ar bhonn stoic ag an gComhairle um Iascach gach bliain i mí na Nollag a shocraítear an Ghabháil Iomlán is Incheadaithe agus cuótaí na stoc éisc don bhliain ina dhiaidh. Déantar bainistiú ar chuótaí éisc na hÉireann de réir an pholasaí náisiúnta agus tagann Coiste Comhairleach um Bainistiú Cuóta Iasc Geal, ar a bhfuil ionadaithe as an tionscal, le chéile gach mí le...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (12 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Dingle Ice Plant comes under the remit of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). BIM is an independent statutory body and hence policy in relation to the operation and management of the ice plants is a matter for the Agency. The Department has forwarded the request to BIM for its consideration and for a direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (12 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: This is a complex file involving multiple owners of the land under the contract in question. The file is being examined by the Forest Service in line with its current control checks. It is envisaged that this will be completed in the very near future, if no complications arise. Subject to no issues arising from the checks, the file will then be processed for payment in the following days.

Written Answers — Fish Sales: Fish Sales (12 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: Under the Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-2013, BIM pays cooperatives 55% of the market price of berried lobsters presented by co-op members for v-notching by a BIM officer and returned alive to the sea by the fishermen in order to spawn. I understand that some fisherman's co-operatives pay their members the remaining 45% of the market value of the lobster from funds derived...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (12 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: In response to the Deputy's question, I have detailed below the Special Advisers that are employed in my Department. A salary increase was requested for one of the Advisers based on the substantially higher salaries earned in the private sector and the particular compensation package earned prior to his appointment by the individual concerned. A single point salary of €110,000 per annum...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare Issues: Animal Welfare Issues (12 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am satisfied that Ireland has made good progress with the implementation of EID requirements for sheep, in line with EU rules. This has, in fact, already been acknowledged by the EU Food and Veterinary Office. The Deputy will know that we are now moving to implement the final elements of the tagging arrangements for EID in sheep coupled with the appropriate revisions to NSIS. This is the...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Scheme: Direct Payment Scheme (12 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department, in the context of delivering the Direct Payments Schemes is required to carry out annual inspections covering land eligibility and cross compliance to ensure compliance with EU regulatory requirements. Eligibility checks for land must be carried out on 5% of applicants. These checks are carried out to verify that the actual area claimed on the application form corresponds to...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare Issues: Animal Welfare Issues (12 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The number of horses slaughtered in Department approved abattoirs between 2008 and 2012 is set out in the table below. Year Number 2008 2,002 2009 3,220 2010 7,296 2011 12,575 2012 (up to 30th April) 3,956 There are also a number of smaller horse abattoirs which operate under the supervision of local authorities - these are not included in the above table. My Department does not keep...

Written Answers — Harbour Fees: Harbour Fees (12 Jun 2012)

Simon Coveney: The recently published draft new Rates and Charges Order set out the first proposed changes in almost a decade to the fee schedule for the use of the facilities at each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres, at Dingle, Castletownbere, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros a' Mhíl. The draft was published following an extensive review of the existing Rates and Charges Order for the Fishery...