Results 36,761-36,780 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2011, processing of which has recently been completed thereby allowing payments under both Schemes to issue in the coming days.

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: First I should emphasise that I am not opposed to greening of the CAP. Ireland actively promotes sustainable and carbon-efficient agricultural production and this concept is at the heart of our Food Harvest 2020 Strategy. However, I have considerable difficulty with the Commission proposals as they stand. The existence of a separate greening measure will complicate our existing Single...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 16 May 2011, following processing of which payments under both schemes issued to the applicant on 1 November.

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: There are no delays in payments to farmers under either the Single Farm Payment Scheme or the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. With regard to DAS, payments commenced on target, on 22 September, while the 50% advance payments of the SFP started issuing, on schedule, on 17 October. In the case of the SFP, the earliest payment date under the governing EU rules is 1 December, while in respect of DAS...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named established 4.05 entitlements at a unit value of €8.34 (total value €33.78) in 2005 under the Single Payment Scheme. He applied on those entitlements and was paid in respect of the 2005 scheme-year. The person named did not apply for the Single Farm Payment in any of the years from 2006 to 2011. As he did not use his entitlements in the years 2006 to 2008 the entitlements...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 11 May 2011, processing of which has recently been completed, thereby allowing the 50% advance payment under the Single Payment Scheme to issue on 28 October. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme has also issued to the applicant on 28 October and the balancing payments under...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 378 and 380 together. The following tabular statement shows the position regarding applications and payments to County Leitrim and County Roscommon herd-owners under the 2011 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Applications received Applications paid Value of payments Leitrim 3,498 2,850 €6,268,479 Roscommon 5,705 4,730 €10,187,542 As the Deputy is aware,...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 381 together. The following tabular statement shows the position regarding applications and payments (95% of applications are paid) to County Leitrim and County Roscommon herd-owners under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme, for the year specified: Applications received Applications paid Value of payments Leitrim 3,526 3,341 €7,114,661 Roscommon...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: Following a successful appeal the person named was informed by letter dated 1st May 2011 of their approval for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st November 2011. 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, must...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: The salaries of the CEOs of three of commercial semi-State companies under my Department's remit fall below the €250,000 salary cap. There has been no communication to date from Coillte on this matter. ^^ Harbours and Piers ^^

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: The pier at Coolaghy, Clifden is owned by Galway County Council and the responsibility for its repair and maintenance lies with the local authority in the first instance. Earlier this year, however, my Department invited coastal local authorities to submit applications in respect of priority harbour development projects for inclusion in its 2011 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Minister for Health has overall responsibility for general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for the enforcement of this legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). This is done through service contracts with other relevant agencies including the Health Service Executive, the Local Authority Veterinary Service, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 393 together. Regulation (EC) No. 178 of 2002, which sets out the general principles and requirements of EU food law, stipulates among other things, that food business operators at all stages of production, processing and distribution within the businesses under their control must ensure that foods satisfy the requirements of food law and that these...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 388 together. There is good support from my colleagues in the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers for the Common Agricultural Policy. Over recent years an alliance of some 14 Member States, including Ireland, has pressed on a continuous basis for a strong CAP and to defend EU agricultural interests in the WTO. Indeed this alliance has been augmented...

Written Answers — Agriculture Policy: Agriculture Policy (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Agri-Food sector has performed exceptionally well in the last 18 months. Exports from the sector have increased and global prices for our products have remained good. The sector has responded well to the challenging targets agreed in Food Harvest 2020, which clearly maps out the future growth of the sector. There are, nonetheless, major challenges ahead. Input prices have remained...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: The following imports of meats into this country over the past three years from both EU and non-EU countries have been recorded: tonnes tonnes tonnes 2009 2010 2011** Beef 25,548 27,672 17,717 Salted Beef 118 254 147 Bovine Meat and Offal Preparations* 7,469 12,092 9,985 total 33,135 40,018 27,849 Sheep meat total 4020 3130 2144 ...

Written Answers — Suckler Cow Quota: Suckler Cow Quota (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: Data on the suckler cow herd over the last 5 years is presented in the following table. The size of the overall national herd, including the beef cow herd, is determined by market forces. Market prices and, ultimately, profitability reflect the relationship between supply and demand with these factors influenced in turn by other variables such as future expectations and input costs. With...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I expect the Irish dairy sector to fully exploit its undoubted potential over the next decade and beyond. The roots of this potential lie in the unrivalled natural advantage we possess in the form of a grass-based production system, which allows us to produce milk and other dairy products of the highest quality in an environmentally friendly manner and on a highly cost efficient basis. These...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: While the budget is primarily a matter for the Minister for Finance, I have received submissions from farm bodies outlining their views on taxation matters relating to the sector. I am in regular contact with farm bodies and my officials discuss various proposals with representatives from the sector. Given the current budgetary constraints it is important to ensure that the tax system...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (2 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 395 and 396 together. I am committed to continuing the path set out in Food Harvest 2020 for the development of the seafood sector in Ireland. Food Harvest identifies the potential of the seafood industry to increase employment by 3,000 to 14,000 full time equivalent jobs by 2020. The strategy set out in Food Harvest involves both the processing and...