Results 35,881-35,900 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: My statutory role in relation to the allocation of fishing quotas is contained in Sections of 12 and 13 of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 which requires me to act for the for the proper and effective management and conservation and rational exploitation of the State fishing quotas and opportunities. I consider that the industry itself is best placed to advise me on...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (9 Feb 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 — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: Given that EU marketing standards legislation does not include pigmeat it is not possible to classify pigmeat production as being free-range or organic in the same way as poultry and egg production are categorised. Furthermore, as free-range pig production is not defined in legislation there are no objective criteria by which my Department can accurately measure the numbers involved. The...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: Mussel farming is regulated in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997. Key features of the process are examination of each application by key scientific and technical advisors to my Department, Environmental Impact Assessment pre-screening, written consultation with statutory and non-statutory consultees and a period of general public consultation. In...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: In addition to the range of measures already available number of new measures are being implemented to assist younger farmers as part of a budget 2012. These include 1. A new stock relief incentive to encourage farm partnerships. An enhanced 50% stock relief will be available for all registered farm partnerships, and a 100% stock relief will be available for certain young trained...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the recreational importance of Donadea Forest Park and the work which has been undertaken there over the last number of years such as the upgrading of the facilities, the development of Walks and the erection of the 9/11 Memorial. I wish to reiterate that no decision has been taken by the Government in relation to the potential sale of all or part of Coillte. The consideration...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 31 together. 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...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The price of fuel and other input costs for farmers have risen in recent times. However, feed prices are likely to fall during 2012. Fuel prices are dependent on many factors, including exchange rates and international crises outside of Ireland's control. A double income tax deduction in respect of the increased cost from the change in carbon tax means that the effective difference in the...

Written Answers — Credit Availability: Credit Availability (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: My officials are in regular contact with farm bodies, various national banks and the Banking Federation concerning the availability of credit to farmers. I am aware that, like many other sectors, farmers are finding it difficult to get credit due to the strict assessments introduced as a result of the global financial crisis. However, despite concerns a relatively small number of cases from...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (9 Feb 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 — Food Industry: Food Industry (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the current EU/MERCOSUR bilateral trade negotiations, no market access offers have been made to date and none are likely to be exchanged before the summer. I am, nonetheless, acutely aware of the vulnerability of the beef industry arising from any MERCOSUR deal. I have repeatedly expressed Ireland's serious reservations at European level about the negotiations with MERCOSUR,...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Food Harvest 2020 report, which was developed in collaboration with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, lays down ambitious plans for the development of the agrifood sectors, including the dairy and beef sectors. I am personally chairing a High Level Implementation Group to ensure that all of the stakeholders in these very important sectors are fully committed to achieving the ambitious...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: Questions relating to taxation are a matter for the Minister for Finance. However tax legislation currently provides a scheme of taxation, known as income averaging, for certain farmers. Under this scheme, eligible farmers can elect to be charged income tax on the average of their farming profits over a three year period, rather than on the basis of their assessed profits over each...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: Operational issues in relation to sea fisheries control are a matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). I have asked the SFPA to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: As a member of the EU, Ireland is obliged to ensure that national laws do not restrict the freedom of establishment of economic operators, including persons or companies, to carry on an economic activity in one or more Member States. The Treaties also establish the right to freedom of movement of goods between Member States. Derogations may be granted but are subject to strict tests...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 200 together. I am committed to continuing the path set out in Food Harvest 2020 for the development of the seafood sector in Ireland into 2012. Food Harvest 2020 identifies the potential of the seafood industry to increase employment from the present level of 11,000 to 14,000 full time equivalent jobs by 2020, mostly in peripheral coastal communities....

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The following definitions, for farms rather than farmers, are those used by Teagasc in its annual National Farm Survey which details the composition of Irish farms in terms of numbers, size, demographics, financial data and work pattern etc.: Full-time farm: A farm which requires at least 0.75 standard labour units to operate, as calculated on a standard man day basis. Part-time farm: A farm...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: It is understand that the Deputy is referring to the proposed changes to the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, specifically those farmers who are new claimants under the 2012 DAS scheme. 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...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: No single payment entitlements were established for the person named as he did not submit applications under the Direct Payment schemes in the reference years 2000, 2001 and 2002. The person named submitted applications for entitlements under Category A of the 2005, 2006 and 2008 National Reserve and also Category C of the 2007 National Reserve. In order to have been eligible to apply to the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 10 May 2011. This application was selected for a Cross Compliance inspection. During the course of the inspection breaches were recorded relating to the Tagging of Sheep and the failure to maintain a flock register for the previous 5 years. This resulted in a 5% penalty being...