Results 35,081-35,100 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (15 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The recycling plant at Ballybrommell, Fenagh, Co. Carlow was closed at the time of discovery of the dioxin incident and restrictions placed on the contaminated feed. Consent was given in November 2011 by the UK Environment Agency for movement of the contaminated material from the Fenagh site to the UK for use in a Power Station. DAFM released the material for transfer to the UK facility in...

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (15 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department is currently reviewing the 2007 and 2008 Single Payment status of the person named in light of further documentation recently furnished to my Department by the Deputy . This information was requested by my predecessor in his response to a previous Ministerial Representation by the Deputy. As soon as this review is complete the person named will be informed of the outcome.

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (15 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department has no record of receiving a 2010 or 2011 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Area application from the person named. All pre-printed Single Payment applications issued by my Department contain a pre-addressed return envelope with a Swiftpost label attached in respect of which the herd owner receives a receipt from the Post Office upon posting. If the person named can provide this...

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Assessments: Regulatory Impact Assessments (15 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The table below sets out the details in relation to Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) in my Department since the 9th March 2011. Number of Regulatory Impact Analysis that have been undertaken on legislation or proposed legislation since 9 March 2011 The stage in the legislative / policy development process at which the RIAs have been carried out Proposal for an EU Regulation on the Common...

Written Answers — Grassland Sheep Scheme: Grassland Sheep Scheme (15 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2011 Grassland Sheep Scheme was received from the person named on the 4 May 2011. On processing the application, it was discovered that the person named failed to submit a breakdown of the total numbers of sheep on the holding. My Department wrote to the person named requesting a breakdown., following receipt of which has enabled the application in question to be...

Written Answers — Dairy Equipment Scheme: Dairy Equipment Scheme (15 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The persons concerned submitted an application for grant-aid under the Dairy Equipment Scheme during the course of the tranche under that Scheme which closed on 31 January 2012. The tranche concerned was heavily over-subscribed and the applications are currently being processed, including the resolution of queries with applicants, with a view to issuing approvals in the near future. The...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (15 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The allocation of milk quota from the National Reserve is granted on the basis of recommendations from the Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal. The Tribunal recently examined the named person's application but did not recommend him for an allocation of quota on that occasion. The named person submitted an appeal to this decision. The Tribunal reviewed his case in January and it was decided to uphold...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (15 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: One of the proposals in the CAP reform package currently under negotiation is to move away from direct payments based on individual farm historic production references to a system based on uniform regional or national rates of payment per hectare by 2019. While I accept the need to move away from outdated historic references, I have serious concerns about the extent and pace of changes...

Written Answers — Circus Animals: Circus Animals (15 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The movement of circuses within the EU is governed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1739/2005 of 21 October 2005 which lays down animal health requirements for the movement of circus animals and animal acts between EU Member States. In order to help prevent the spread of animal disease, before moving to any other Member State, all circuses with animals and all animal acts must be registered...

Written Answers — Harbour Charges: Harbour Charges (15 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Charges for the use of facilities at each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres are currently levied by virtue of the Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates & Charges) Order 2003. My Department has however recently conducted a review of the 2003 Order and a draft new Rates & Charges Order, the first proposed changes to the fee schedule for almost a decade, has been prepared on foot of that review. The...

Written Answers — Artisan Food Sector: Artisan Food Sector (15 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The potential of the artisan food sector was identified in the Food Harvest 2020 report, our blueprint for ' smart, green growth' of the food industry To build on the success of the artisan sector, the Report recommends that my Department works in conjunction with Bord Bia, Teagasc and other Departments and agencies to encourage an entrepreneurial approach to small start-up food businesses...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (15 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Since March 2011 vacancies on the Boards of the State Bodies that fall under my Department's remit are listed on my Department's website and expressions of interest sought. In the case of a number of bodies, the board appointments, while made by me, are not at my sole discretion and, instead, individuals are nominated for appointment by me by various organisations as specified in the...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (15 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The application referred to is in respect of a site located within Kenmare Bay which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive (Natura 2000 site). All applications in 'Natura' areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. My Department, in conjunction with the Marine...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (15 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Teagasc operate as a separate non commercial semi state body under the aegis of the Department. It is a matter for Teagasc to prioritise activities in the delivery of its programmes and services and to allocate its resources in accordance with these priorities. In common with other public bodies, Teagasc, has had to contribute to planned staff reductions in line with Government policy to...

Farm Safety (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this issue and this is not the first time we have discussed it because it is a continuing source of real concern. Farming remains the most dangerous occupation in Ireland. Last year saw a total of 22 farm-related fatalities and 6,673 reported non-fatal injuries. These injuries and fatalities are caused in a number of ways in particular with the use of...

Farm Safety (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I will consider the Deputy's suggestion. However, I am not convinced it will be as easy as simply taking responsibility away from the Health and Safety Authority because that body has responsibility for safety in the workplace generally and it has experience in this regard. The problem with farms is that they are a workplace but they are also a home, a playground, a place where family...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I want to re-emphasise my commitment to the agri-environment schemes in general, which put environmentally-friendly farming to the forefront and which recognise the vital role farmers play in delivering public goods for the benefit of all society. This commitment by Government is matched by the enthusiasm of Irish farmers who have shown a keen willingness to engage with environmental issues...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Those are all very reasonable questions. My answer, which I have been giving consistently, is that at the moment we cannot afford to put together an AEOS scheme that will cost as much as the AEOS scheme I introduced last year. We do not have the budget for that. Looking at the figures, we will have to make substantial savings again this year, in terms of the budgetary ceiling under which I...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: That is why I want to prioritise those people. However, it will be a matter of whether we have the budget to do it, as to whether we can broaden it outside those categories.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme (10 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: If Deputy Moynihan wants to talk to me afterwards, I will happily clarify anything for him.