Results 35,621-35,640 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Dáil]: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Is it appropriate for me to introduce the Bill at this stage, or are we going through it section by section?

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Dáil]: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: That is fine.

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (8 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Since May of 2011 all vacancies on the State Boards that fall under my Department's remit are listed on the Department's website. Board appointments to a number of the bodies and agencies are not always made at my sole discretion. Instead, individuals are nominated for appointment by various organisations, specified in the relevant statute. These include the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals...

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (8 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: During the course of the initial processing of the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) application submitted by the person named, discrepancies were discovered regarding the status of land parcels listed on the application form. These discrepancies have now been rectified. However, a further query has arisen in relation to the issue of the organic licence which is a condition of participation in the...

Written Answers — Pig Sector: Pig Sector (8 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the concerns currently being expressed by the pig production sector, particularly in relation to feed costs and the availability of credit. The pig sector remains the third largest individual component of the agri-food sector, with production, prices and exports all growing significantly during 2011. Notwithstanding this, high feed costs, most notably cereals and compound feed...

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (8 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The fishing industry identify fishing grounds and fishing opportunities in respect of stocks not subject to EU Total Allowable Catch and quotas, on a regular basis. I have no role in identifying new sites for razor clam fisheries, or indeed fisheries for any other fish species. In order to fish for razor clams, a vessel must be registered in the polyvalent or specific segments of the fleet....

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (7 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Responsibility for issues relating to the cultivation of genetically modified crops, including GM trials, in Ireland rests with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, while responsibility for GM foods rests with the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly. I have responsibility for issues relating to GM animal feed and, should it...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person concerned submitted an application under the Dairy Equipment Scheme under the first tranche on 27 April 2011. The application was approved into the Scheme on 10 October 2011. The person named has submitted a payment claim and payment of the grant will take place when it has been determined that all the terms and conditions of the Scheme have been complied with. These checks will...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (7 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: It is widely recognised that the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is a very important one for this country, as the total area designated as disadvantaged is almost 75% of Ireland's total land area. From an economic perspective, the Scheme is particularly significant, contributing to the support of in excess of 100,000 Irish farm families, whose ability to farm is restricted by the physical...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st 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...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and received payments for the first three years of the contract. 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 payments can issue. During the course of the administrative check, an area...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (7 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Responsibility for issues relating to the cultivation of genetically modified crops, including GM trials, in Ireland rests with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan.

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (7 Mar 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 — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (7 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: It is widely recognised that the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is a very important one for this country, as the total area designated as disadvantaged is almost 75% of Ireland's total land area. From an economic perspective, the Scheme is particularly significant, contributing to the support of in excess of 100,000 Irish farm families, whose ability to farm is restricted by the physical...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2011 Grassland Sheep Scheme was received from the person named on the 3 May 2011. This application was fully processed and payment issued on 20 January 2012, based, in accordance with the provisions of the Scheme, on the average of the 2009 and 2010 Sheep Census return as received by my Department, which indicated that the person named had 195 and 208 breeding ewes in...

Written Answers — Hazardous Waste: Hazardous Waste (7 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: A contract was signed with Martin O'Callaghan Ltd. on 14th November 2011 to complete the works necessary to repair two sea breaches on the East Tip. The works were completed on 21st November 2011. SKM Enviros (environmental consultants) were appointed as the single-operator under the framework agreement for multidisciplinary environmental advisory services in relation to a waste licensing...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (7 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: As recently announced by the Government, consideration will be given to the possible sale of some assets of Coillte, excluding the sale of land. This involves a process of looking at all issues relating to the disposal of Coillte assets including economic, social, strategic and employment. I am conscious that Coillte's forests provide a range of recreational opportunities for the general...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (7 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: In common with all Departments and Agencies, my Department is obliged to comply with new targets for reducing staff numbers in respect of each year to 2015 under the Employment Control Framework. The reform of our Regional Office structure has facilitated a more efficient and cost effective model of service delivery and has allowed the Department to utilise its declining staff resources to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in February 2008 and received payments for the first three years of their contract. 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 application to be completed before any payments can issue. Administrative checks in respect of 2011 payments have...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2010 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 21 April 2010. The application was fully processed and payment issued on 5 November 2010 and 1 December 2010 respectively. The person named is also a participant in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based schemes,...