Results 36,321-36,340 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Decentralisation Programme (14 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: Like the Deputy, I had serious concerns about the decentralisation programme and I set out my views clearly while I was in opposition. It was a populist move which made no sense and it cost the country a fortune. We are trying to reverse many of the crazy decisions that were taken on the basis of winning votes rather than doing something sensible. Having said that, we are stuck with what we...

Decentralisation Programme (14 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: The honest answer is when we are ready. We are not going to rush the process because I want to ensure the Department is efficiently run. We employ a large number of staff in Portlaoise and they are doing a good job. I would like to consolidate them under one, two or three roofs rather than seven if that can reduce costs. It will take time to work out how we can best achieve that objective...

Fisheries Regulations (14 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: The EU cod recovery plan, Regulation 2342/2008, established a long-term plan for cod stock, covering the setting of total allowable catches, TACs, and quotas each year, and limiting effort in terms of time spent fishing at sea in each area. The areas covered of interest to Ireland are the Irish Sea and area VIa, which is west of Scotland and north-west of Ireland. Under the cod recovery...

Fisheries Regulations (14 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: British boats may be fishing, but they have not fully got around the system yet. What has happened here is that the European Commission introduced a regulation on 23 November implementing cuts to the allocation of fishing effort to certain member states, and the UK has not accepted the Commission's assessment of fishing effort used and the quantity of effort available as set down in that...

Fisheries Regulations (14 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: For the record, I already met with industry representatives on this issue either last week or at the end of the previous week - I cannot remember - and we went through the issues in detail in preparation for the Council meeting this week. They know my views on this and they know I am not happy about it. We cannot have different treatment for different countries in the same waters. However,...

Departmental Properties (14 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: I have a long reply here which I will not read out, because I want to deal with the issue head-on. The Deputy will be aware of much of what is in the reply. Essentially, we have contractual arrangements with the people who lease properties within fisheries harbours that are owned by my Department, and each case must be dealt with on an individual basis. Most rental leases that were...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named was paid 75% of 2010 entitlement under the Agri-environmental Options Scheme (AEOS) amounting to €434.02 on the 7th December 2011. The person named has an area based overpayment against which the balancing payment under AEOS of €144.67 will be offset.

Written Answers — Horticulture Sector: Horticulture Sector (13 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Horticultural industry consists of a number of different sectors, each of which has differing problems and needs. In terms of fresh fruit and vegetables, Irish self sufficiency levels vary greatly depending on the product in question. For example Ireland is well over 1000% self-sufficient in mushrooms but many fruit types can't be grown in Ireland due to our climate. Overall Ireland is...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 9 May 2011, processing of which has recently been finalised, thereby allowing payment to issue on 8 December, directly to the nominated bank account of the applicant.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named registered seven beef breed animals under the 2010 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payment has already been made in respect of five of the animals. My Department has raised some queries in relation to one of the animals and a letter issued to the applicant on 7 December in this regard. According to the information provided by the person named, meal was provided to the animal in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 16 May 2011, processing of which has recently been finalised, thereby allowing payment to issue on 6 December, directly to the nominated bank account of the applicant.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 29 April 2011, processing of which has recently been finalised, thereby allowing payment to issue on 8 December, directly to the nominated bank account of the applicant.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 19 April 2011, following processing of which over-claims were identified on two of the parcels declared. The person named has been written to in this regard and, on receipt of a satisfactory reply, the application will be further processed with a view to the appropriate payment issuing shortly thereafter.

Written Answers — Irish Horseracing Industry: Irish Horseracing Industry (13 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: I am keenly aware of the significance of the horse racing and breeding sector. This an industry in which we are world leaders. It provides significant employment, foreign direct investment and export sales with Irish thoroughbreds exported worldwide. I want to ensure that this sector's world-class standing and reputation is protected and maintained into the future. As a clear signal of...

Written Answers — Sheep Industry: Sheep Industry (13 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Irish sheep sector continues to show positive signs of renewal. Last year saw a halt in the decline of sheep numbers. The results of the Crops and Livestock Survey for June 2011 (provisional estimates) confirm that, after successive years of decline in our national flock, the trend has been reversed with our total sheep numbers increasing by 3.5% on the previous year to 4.8 million. Of...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (13 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: I believe the prospects for the dairy sector are very positive in 2012 and beyond. Dairy markets have recovered fully from the 2009 price collapse, with EU and World Markets performing strongly this year, and the short term outlook remains positive. This market buoyancy is good for Ireland, as we export over 80% of our dairy production. Last year exports of Irish dairy products and...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: Under EU Regulations governing the Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS) 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. This administration check has been completed and payments under AEOS in respect of 2010 commenced in September. My Department is...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 18 April 2011, processing of which has recently been finalised, thereby allowing payments under both Schemes to issue to the applicant in the coming days.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (13 Dec 2011)

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

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 5th April 2011. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility/Cross Compliance Inspection. This inspection was completed and the results are now being processed. In the vast majority of inspected cases, including this case, amendments have...