Results 36,021-36,040 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 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 be completed before any payment could issue. During these checks a...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2009 and received payments for the first two years of the contract period. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and accordingly is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. The administrative checks in respect of 2011...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 4th May 2011. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility/Cross Compliance Inspection. In the vast majority of inspected cases, including this case, amendments have had to be made to the maps in order that the Land Parcel Identification System...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: As indicated in my reply to previous Parliamentary Questions regarding this matter, the grant of a foreshore lease to Mayo County Council for the construction of a slipway at Kilcummin Pier, Killala, Co Mayo received Ministerial approval on 17 June 2010. The Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO) was requested to draft the lease documentation. My Department is maintaining ongoing contact...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st December 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 be completed before any payment could issue. During these checks a...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: I agree with Senator White on the role of women in farming. I made a point of speaking at the women in farming conference organised by the IFA last year. To be perfectly honest it was a fantastic conference and a very good experience and I got much good feedback from it. All of the research on women's involvement in the running of a farm business shows if two business partners - a man and...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: It is not my job to lean on organisations.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: And the Senator has raised the issue. Unfairly, I have got a bit of stick about the advisory group on horse racing. No one on that committee is paid anything, be it expenses for mileage or so on. Its members are entirely voluntary and we meet every second month or so. I put the advisory group in place because horse racing was one of the areas in my portfolio about which I was not...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: Could I have another two minutes?

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: A number of specific questions were asked. So everyone can have it, I will send an e-mail about the Irish position. We will be able to find an acceptable compromise. In April I will visit China, which is an important market for us. My counterpart has visited Ireland and we signed a memorandum of understanding on new trade and investment opportunities, which are progressing. Our...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: That he is choosing to visit Ireland represents significant progress. I am familiar with the sugar beet industry. My family farm used to produce sugar and I used to deliver much of it to what was then the Mallow factory. There may be a future for sugar production in Ireland. Due to a demand and supply problem, the price of sugar rocketed last year. A rough rule of thumb is that, as long...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: I will. People probably know my views on protecting the suckler herd. I have maintained the suckler cow welfare scheme despite the pressure applied by many people to get rid of it. I do not want to allow the beef sector to become a byproduct of the dairy sector, which will be a danger as excitement around the dairy industry grows in the lead up to 2015 when milk quotas will vanish. Milk...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: I will revert to Senator Daly regarding the forestry. I suspect I know where the question comes from.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: After I discuss free range pork with Bord Bia, I will revert to Senator Norris with a proper answer.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: If I could make a suggestion, I would be more than happy to take questions on fisheries. I would probably say everything that I intended to say in the ten minutes anyway.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: I would be more than happy, if that is what the House wants.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: That is the Irish Dairy Board.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: I wish to make a brief comment on something Senator Denis O'Donovan raised at the start, namely, the tragedy in Union Hall. I have spent two afternoons there but I would have liked to have spent more time there because at times like this, I have a responsibility to try to support communities linked to areas of my responsibility.

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: Many people believe little is happening in the aquaculture and fish farming sector. We are about to change the fish farming landscape in Ireland in a manner with which non-governmental agencies and individuals who have concerns about the salmon farming industry will be comfortable. The scale of the proposed salmon farms is such that they will be offshore - up to 6km to 7km from the coast -...

Seanad: Agriculture and Fisheries: Statements, Questions and Answers (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: We plan to exploit this opportunity in a sustainable manner. The Department and its agencies will establish a proper licensing and testing system. The fact that I would welcome these developments does not mean we are not required to go through a thorough, independent and transparent licensing mechanism. Regardless of how I distribute the Celtic Sea herring quota I will probably be taken to...