Results 37,221-37,240 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: An EU ban on conventional battery cages is due to enter into force with effect from 1 January 2012, in line with Council Directive 1999/74/EC on minimum standards for laying hens. Sanctions for non-compliance with the Council Directive are set out in national legislation, namely the European Communities (Welfare of Farm Animals) Regulation 2010 (Statutory Instrument No. 311 of 2010). My...

Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (29 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 to 162, inclusive, together. The proposed ban on the sale of raw milk for direct human consumption is not new. Sale of raw cows milk was banned for many years (from 1997 till 2006) by my Department; and previously by most local authorities. The ban lapsed due to a change in EU legislation in 2006. In 2008 my Department undertook a public consultation...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: Payments under the 2011 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme began issuing on 22 September 2011 and I can confirm that the application of the person named has been fully processed and that payment has issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 16 May 2011. A number of parcels listed on the application of the person named required re-digitisation. This process is now complete and the application is being processed, with a view to any payments due under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme issuing shortly, while the 50%...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (29 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: There are currently 12 State Bodies/Agencies that fall under the aegis of this Department. The following table lists all persons who hold more than one State Board position in respect of the State Bodies/ Agencies under the aegis of this Department. Board Members Names Name of State Body/Agency Remuneration Dr Noel Cawley Teagasc (Chair) €20,520 Bord Bia €11,970 €32,490 Lorcan...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (28 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: The pier at Ranagh, Arranmore Island is owned by Donegal 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...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (28 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: Allocations of milk quota from the National Reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations from the Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal. The Tribunal examines and makes recommendations on applications for additional quota from individual producers. The person named submitted an application to the Tribunal seeking an allocation of additional quota under the Hardship category. This application...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (28 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to ensuring the continuation of the afforestation programme at a rate that maximises the use of available financial resources. My Department, in the context of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review and the Budgetary process for 2012, is reviewing all financial commitments within my Department to identify priorities and possible savings. That process in ongoing and...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: The 50% advance payment under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme is not scheduled to commence until 16 October. 2011. Five Transfer of Entitlement applications were received prior to the closing date of 17 May 2011 requesting the transfer of entitlements from the first person named to five other farmers. All transfers have now been processed. Payment in respect of the remaining entitlements held...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (28 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: There were no such promotions in my Department in the last ten years.

Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Order for Second Stage (28 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (28 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to present to the House, on Second Stage, the Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011. Before giving an outline of the Bill I propose to make some preliminary remarks about the context in which this Bill is being presented and the role played by veterinary practitioners, nurses and others in the treatment and care of animals. At the outset, it would be appropriate for me to...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (27 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six Fishery Harbour Centres as set out in the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 (as amended). The Act identifies the promotion and development of Sea Fishing as the core function of each of the Fishery Harbour Centres. I am however mindful of the importance of the tourist industry and can confirm that tourism in common with other non fishing...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: As outlined in my reply to a question from the Deputy on 20th July 2011, a copy of the death certificate of the person in whose name the herdnumber was registered was received by my Department on 9th December 2009. In accordance with standard procedures in such circumstances, the herdnumber was then registered under the personal representatives of the deceased person. An application was...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: Under the provisions of the governing EU Regulations, payments under the Single Farm Payment may be made only in respect of eligible land. Applicants under the Scheme are obliged annually to declare the land parcels available to them; said details of the eligible areas of the land parcels are then recorded onto LPIS (Land Parcel Identification System), my Department's computerised database of...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: REPS 4 is a measure under the Rural Development Programme, 2007-13 and is subject to EU Regulations which require that detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before payments can issue. These administrative checks in respect of 2010 claims have been completed and of the 30,300 farmers who are due payments, approximately 660 applications are currently awaiting their...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in January 2010 and 75% of the first year payment issued for the amount of €10,416.57 on 31st March 2011. An area based discrepancy was subsequently discovered following a cross check between the Single Payment Scheme application for 2010 from the person named and the REPS agri-environmental plan. This discrepancy has resulted in the imposition of a...

Written Answers — Animal Breeding Regulations: Animal Breeding Regulations (27 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: Regulation (EC) 999/2001 as amended by regulation (EC) 727/2007 requires the annual testing of both sheep presented for human consumption and fallen sheep over 18 months of age. In 2007 the Commission adopted a level of testing for future years at a minimum annual sample of 10,000 sheep slaughtered for human consumption and 10,000 fallen sheep aged over 18 months. This testing regime was...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: There are as yet no official proposals from the European Commission on the CAP post 2013 arrangements. It is expected that a first draft of a legal text will be available in mid October following which protracted negotiations will take place at the Council of Agriculture Ministers. In the absence of written proposals, it would be inappropriate therefore to comment at this stage on what...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Sep 2011)

Simon Coveney: To date over 400 requests for estimates of retirement benefits have been received in the Pensions Section of my Department since early January 2011. Approximately, 63 staff under 65 years have retired or will retire in 2011. To date, a further 12 staff have formally indicated their intention of retiring in January 2012 and February 2012. These numbers do not include a number of staff...