Results 36,041-36,060 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: This is my only objective and it is the reason for the proposals I have made. I am somewhat restricted legally in terms of what I can say, including on which way I am leaning in this regard, because whatever I say will be used as part of any argument that may be made later. However, if Senators wish to speak to me afterwards, I will certainly discuss my position with them. We are trying to...

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

Simon Coveney: I am unable to answer Senator Healy Eames's question on oysters in Clarinbridge as I am not familiar with the issue. However, if the Senator provides details, I will revert to her. If the issue is one of dredging, it is probably not the responsibility of my Department. However, if I can be of assistance in the matter, I will examine it. When specific cases are raised I prefer to ascertain...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland's seafood exports to China are increasing. To give an idea of the size of the market, China consumes 91 million tonnes of seafood every year, of which 70% is farmed. Most regions of the world farm a substantial amount of the fish they consume. This is not the case in Europe which is behind the curve in this area. On the basis of current demand trends, the United Nations predicts...

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

Simon Coveney: While the memorandum signed by my Department was for food, I suspect we will sign another memorandum with the Vice Premier of China next month which will be much broader than food.

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

Simon Coveney: Senator Ó Domhnaill asked about the Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, and perhaps we will need another discussion on this. The key issue of concern in that regard is the proposal from the Commission with regard to introducing a system of individual transferable quotas, ITQs. Currently, the way we run our system is that the quota the country has been allocated is reallocated to boats that are...

Seanad: Counterfeit Pesticides (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: I thank Senator Burke for raising this issue. I am glad he did so because it has forced a focus on this issue in my office that perhaps was not there previously, although there is a strong focus on it in the Department, as I have found out since the Senator tabled his motion. The placing on the market and use of plant protection products is regulated in Ireland by SI 83/2003. This...

Seanad: Counterfeit Pesticides (26 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: I will follow through on that. I have a comprehensive answer but only read out part of it because of time constraints. The Senator will find a lot of detail in it useful. I ask him to contact the office if he wishes to follow up.

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

Simon Coveney: I do not have a script because I hoped this would be a question and answer session which Senators could get as much out of as possible, in terms of getting the information they are looking for. I will try to keep my contribution as brief as I can. We will spend the first hour on agriculture and the next on fishing. One session can eat into the other if that is appropriate; I am in the...

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

Simon Coveney: That was in dairy.

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

Simon Coveney: The Senator should not put words in my mouth. I will define what I mean by "hobby farmer".

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

Simon Coveney: I am happy to take questions.

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

Simon Coveney: The Senator did say that.

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

Simon Coveney: I am anxious to answer as many of the questions as I can, so I will try to be quick. If there are some detailed questions I cannot answer, I will correspond by e-mail with the Senators. First, I want to clarify a number of things about the new eligibility criteria for disadvantaged area payments. It is important that people know what we are talking about here, because there seems to be a...

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

Simon Coveney: Actually Cork would probably not do so well. Cork is a county which reflects the country in many ways because it has disadvantaged areas as well as very productive areas. It is an interesting case study. We have made a clear case to the Commissioner that what he proposes would not work in Ireland and we must come up with a way to limit the redistribution so it does not damage our...

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

Simon Coveney: We will not need as much time to discuss fishing.

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

Simon Coveney: I will try to give some direct answers to direct questions after that rant.

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

Simon Coveney: I thank the Senator. I hope I have clarified the issues on disadvantaged area payments, commonage and new eligibility. A number of Senators have asked about the agri-environment options scheme, AEOS. To be absolutely clear I would love to be able to introduce a new REPS that would be generous and encourage environmental and sustainable farming but I cannot afford to do so. We do not have...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (25 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: Cats which are owned by humans will receive the full protection of the Animal Health & Welfare Bill. My Department does not maintain a statutory "vermin list" for any animals. The Deputy may be referring to lists maintained by non-statutory bodies.

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (25 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: The application for the aquaculture licence referred to by the Deputy is in respect of a site located in Castlemaine Harbour, which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 site). All applications in 'Natura' areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (25 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: The information requested in relation to applications received under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and the Early Retirement Scheme on 14 October 2008 in locations other than my Department's office in Johnstown Castle, Wexford (before transmission to that office) is set out in the table. Scheme Office/Location of Applicant Number of Applications Received Whether Further...