Results 35,701-35,720 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (1 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: There are currently 4 Commercial State Bodies (listed below) that fall under the aegis of my Department. Queries regarding the pension funds in these State Bodies should be addressed to the State Bodies themselves. 1. Bord na gCon 2. Coillte 3. Horse Racing Ireland 4. Irish National Stud

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Feb 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, have to be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a query...

Written Answers — Global Strategic Framework: Global Strategic Framework (29 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The first discussions on the Global Strategic Framework will be held at the FAO Regional Conferences. The European Regional Conference, which my Department will be attending, will take place in April in Baku, Azerbaijan and will be an opportunity for Ireland to feed into the process and to influence the consensus ERG position to be formulated. Ireland's submission will be prepared by my...

Written Answers — Global Strategic Framework: Global Strategic Framework (29 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: A full meeting of the UN Committee on World Food Security takes place every October and is attended by my officials and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. October of this year. A decision on Ministerial attendance will be taken closer to the event.

Written Answers — Knackery Industry: Knackery Industry (29 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: Knackeries are approved and supervised by my Department in accordance with Animal By-Product (ABP) Regulations (EC) No. 1069/2009 and Regulation (EC) No 142/2011, which lay down the health rules as regards the use and disposal of ABP and superseded the regulations referred to by the Deputy. All such establishments are inspected on a risk basis by officials of my Department to ensure that...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (29 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: As announced by the Government last week, consideration will be given to the sale of some assets of Coillte, excluding the sale of land, when market conditions are favourable and at an acceptable price to Government. A valuation of Coillte assets is currently being undertaken by the NTMA (NewERA unit) in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. No...

Written Answers — Land Act Trusts: Land Act Trusts (29 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The overall number of trusts set up under the Land Purchase Acts, which are currently in existence is 151. The number of Land Act trusts that ceased to be operative under the provisions of section 30 of the 1950 Land Act for each of the last five years are as follows: 2012 1 2011 13 2010 12 2009 29 2008 40 2007 63 There are 6 Land Act trusts...

Written Answers — Fur Farming: Fur Farming (28 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: A report published by my Department in 2009 estimated the population of wild mink in the State could reach a total of between 20,500 and 33,500 individuals, and identified ground-nesting birds as the species most vulnerable to mink predation. Accordingly, my Department is concentrating its resources on protecting the nesting sites of rare and threatened bird species, including red-throated...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (28 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: Operational matters such as this are properly the responsibility of the Teagasc Authority and not the Minister. I am advised by Teagasc that they continue to provide services from their local office on the Kells Road, Navan and that the vacant site in question belongs to the Office of Public Works. The future use of this site is a matter for the Office of Public Works.

Written Answers — Metrology Service: Metrology Service (28 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Legal Metrology Service of the National Standards Authority of Ireland, established under the Metrology Act of 1996, has statutory responsibility for the verification of weighing equipment in abattoirs. However, officials of my Department carry out checks of weighing equipment in beef abattoirs during routine control inspections concerning beef carcase classification. These checks include...

Written Answers — Fur Farming: Fur Farming (28 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Review Group set up in my Department to review the issue of fur farming along specific terms of reference will conclude its report shortly. The Terms of Reference of the Group are as follows: 1. To review fur farming in Ireland taking into account existing legislative provisions for the licensing of mink farming 2. To comment on the economic benefits of the sector 3. To consider the...

Written Answers — Agricultural Exports: Agricultural Exports (28 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: China is a key strategic market for Irish exports of food seafood and beverages and presents significant opportunities for other exports. Exports of Irish food and beverages to China are estimated in 2011 at €215m, including exports of hides and skins. Since taking office as Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, I have sought to foster close relationships with my Ministerial...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (28 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 581 and 584 together. This is an operational matter for the Teagasc Authority. Teagasc is currently implementing a major 'Change Programme' to rationalise resources and has decided to concentrate the delivery of its services at fewer centres. The existing network of advisory offices is being streamlined from 91 to 51 by end 2012. The decision to close...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: Under the Hardship Grant Scheme, assistance is available from my Department to eligible herdowners who are restricted under the TB/BR Eradication Scheme during the period from the 1 November to 30 April. An essential condition of eligibility for the scheme is that the herdowner must not be in receipt of off farm income and must not have any income from milk sales during the period to which...

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (28 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The cost to my Department of the senior Minister's car in the period 1 June 2011 to 31 December 2011 was €65,484.22.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 26 April 2011. Payments have already been made to the person named on 17 October 2011 and 1 December 2011 in respect of 17.39 entitlements. As regards the forestry payment, a technical difficulty has now been resolved and arrangements are being made for early payment of the grant and premium due. The...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Feb 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 €878.08 issued in respect of 2010. Payment in respect of the 2011 Scheme year is subject to a similar administrative checking process which includes verification of capital investment through checks on receipts. During these checks a...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Feb 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 €1,111.55 has 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, had to...

Written Answers — Commonage Division: Commonage Division (28 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be aware that the Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other area-based schemes, are fully and partially funded by the European Union. The relevant Competent Authorities in each Member State are obliged to ensure that the requirements of the governing EU Regulations are observed and that only valid applications that fully comply with the requirements are...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS in February 2009 and received payments for the first two 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 applications to be completed before any payments can issue. Administrative checks in respect of the 2011 payment have...