Results 35,501-35,520 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: The prospects for Irish food and drink exports in 2012 are positive. That being said, lower output availability in some sectors and softening global commodity prices are likely to result in more limited growth potential than the 25% export growth achieved in the past two years. In that context the Central Bank forecast an overall export growth of 5.9% in 2012 and in Milestones for Success...
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: The fact that agri-food exports increased by 25% over the past two years is an indication that this sector remains competitive on European and world markets. This view is also borne out by the Forfas produced National Competitiveness Scorecard, which benchmarks Ireland's competitiveness against 17 key competitors. In July 2011, it indicated that between April 2008 and February 2011,...
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: My Department, together with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to place the highest priority on ensuring and developing market access to markets worldwide for Irish food products. Bord Bia estimates that the value of Irish food and drink exports increased by 12%, or â¬1 billion, in 2011 to reach an all-time high of â¬8.85 billion. For the first nine months...
- Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 November 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 completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a query arose...
- Written Answers — National Milk Agency: National Milk Agency (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 569 and 570 together. The National Milk Agency is entirely funded by a levy of 0.145 cent per litre of milk purchased for processing for liquid consumption by milk processors. In 2010 this amounted to â¬609,765. The 2011 accounts for the agency are not yet finalised. The Agency does not receive any Exchequer funding. On 17th November 2011, as part of the...
- Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: The mission of the People's Millennium Forests Project was to ensure that all future generations can enjoy the benefits of Ireland's native forests. 16 sites were chosen throughout Ireland, 12 sites owned by Coillte, 2 owned by the Northern Ireland Forest Service, 1 owned by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and 1 owned by the Westmeath County Council. The following is a record of...
- Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: My Department administers the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. This Programme provides for maintenance and development works at the six State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, together with the upkeep of various aids to Navigation for which my Department is responsible. In addition, funding for works at Local Authority owned harbours is also provided for under...
- Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: My Department has re-checked the calculation of the deductions from the lump sum in this case and is satisfied that it is correct. A letter is being sent to the person concerned outlining the basis upon which this deduction was made from the lump sum paid to him.
- Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: The afforestation schemes provide attractive grants and premiums to incentivise the planting of agricultural land by farmers and other landowners, to support the continued development of a viable and sustainable national forest resource. All applications submitted to my Department for approval to undertake afforestation are examined regarding the suitability of the site from a silvicultural,...
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: I understand that Bord Iascaigh Mhara will shortly submit an aquaculture licence application in respect of a deep sea fish farm in Galway Bay. The application will be considered under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act as is normal with all such applications. The legislation provides for extensive consultation with all relevant stakeholders and also provides for a period of...
- Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 20 April 2010. During processing of the application, one land parcel was found to be dual-claimed with another Scheme applicant and, following correspondence, the person named confirmed that he was not entitled to declare this parcel. Consequently, the parcel was rejected and the appropriate reduction...
- Written Answers — Cattle Identification Scheme: Cattle Identification Scheme (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: All bovines in the state must be identified in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1760 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding the labelling of beef and beef products and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 820/97 and S.I. No. 77 of 2009 [European Communities (Identification of...
- Written Answers — Irish Land Commission: Irish Land Commission (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: The records of the former Irish Land Commission are being examined by my Department to ascertain if the information sought is available. I will write to the Deputy as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: All local offices of my Department are being reconfigured to provide a better service in a more efficient manner to our stakeholders; essentially, this process involves doing more work with fewer staff under the terms of the Government Reform Plan. The Department's public office in Raphoe is one of the Departments 16 enhanced offices, providing services on a regional basis, which have...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: The budgeted expenditure under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is being reduced to from â¬220 million to â¬190 million. In order to make the necessary savings it is proposed to make technical adjustments to the Scheme criteria to ensure that the aid payment is focused on farmers whose farming enterprises are situated exclusively in DAS areas and who are making a significant contribution...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: It is understood that the Deputy is referring to the proposed changes to the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. As the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is co-funded by the EU under the Rural Development Programme 2007/2013, it is necessary to obtain the agreement of the EU Commission to any proposed changes; my officials are involved in ongoing discussions with Commission officials in this regard and...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received from the person named on 11 May 2011. During processing of the application an apparent over-claim was identified in respect of a land parcel and the person named disputed the reference area assigned to this parcel under my Department's Land Parcel Identification System. The matter was re-examined by my...
- Fisheries Protection (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: What I have been doing with this issue, I do not do it lightly. We have made statements that I am sure make some people in Iceland uncomfortable and angry but we cannot stand by and allow the plundering of a hugely valuable stock, worth â¬1 billion in terms of quayside value to the European Union, Norway, the Faroe Islands and Iceland. There have been changes in the migratory pattern of...
- Fisheries Protection (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: Pat "The Cope" Gallagher is on a twin-track approach with me. We are both trying to increase the pressure. Sometimes we need to rattle cages to get things done. If we do not do what we are now doing, in two years people will be screaming and roaring because a mackerel quota will have been halved for Ireland. This quota is worth at the quayside, or in terms of landed fish, approximately...
- Sugar Industry (21 Mar 2012)
Simon Coveney: I do not need to read a script as I am very familiar with the sugar industry as it was and, I hope, as it will be in future. Last summer I had two professional feasibility studies done on the building of a factory and relaunching a sugar industry in Ireland. This would be a sugar and ethanol industry. The groups which financed and drew up the feasibility studies did a good job in...