Results 37,861-37,880 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Common Fisheries Policy (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: I can always rely on Deputy Peter Mathews for figures. He is correct about the number of jobs that could be created. It is my ambition to dramatically expand the aquaculture industry in Ireland in a way that is consistent with protecting special areas of conservation, SAC, and Natura areas. As well as putting fish farms in harbours and bays, we must examine the potential for offshore fish...

Single Farm Payment (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that rough grazing is eligible for the single farm payment scheme and other area-based schemes such as the disadvantaged areas scheme and the grassland sheep scheme. The terms and conditions of the single payment scheme advise applicants, inter alia, that if they are to draw down full payments in respect of their single payment scheme entitlements, an eligible hectare must be...

Single Farm Payment (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: I will look into the issue. I am quite familiar with the single farm payment scheme because we make an application in respect of our farm every year. I am also familiar with the types of land that are and are not eligible under the scheme. We have a great deal of clifftop land that is not eligible, for obvious reasons. If land is to be eligible, it has to be farmable land. It has to have...

Fishing Industry Development (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: Bord Iascaigh Mhara is the leading provider of vocational training to the seafood industry. By providing accredited training services to fishing, aquaculture and processing personnel, it underpins this indigenous industry and adds to its skill set. Bord Iascaigh Mhara's seafood industry training programmes are delivered through its training centres at the National Fisheries College in...

Fishing Industry Development (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: To clarify the issue, two individuals retired rather than resigned. Bord Iascaigh Mhara has advised that in the interim and as a matter of urgency it is seeking instructors on a service supply basis through the Government's e-tender website. The short-term solution it seeks is to bring in someone from the private sector to provide the services required to train skippers for the fishing...

Fishing Industry Development (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: I concur with the Deputy. However, such provision is being made in some cases. For example, the Department recently secured sanction to increase the number of teachers in agricultural colleges to respond to the problem arising from increased student numbers. While the case before us should not have arisen, Ireland does not have many master mariners, specifically those who could fill the...

Agri-environment Options Scheme (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: I have a long reply. I will read out the final paragraphs as it will be of interest to Deputy Fleming. When the agri-environment options scheme was launched last year the intention was to increase the rate for designated land from €75 per hectare, as originally announced, to €150 per hectare. My Department has been in discussion with the Commission with a view to obtaining approval for...

Agri-environment Options Scheme (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: While I concur that the decision is disappointing, I had to make choices on the agri-environment options scheme because it was launched without financial provision being made for it in the budget. We had to create a budget for the scheme and faced a choice in this regard. We could increase the payment for the designated areas from €75 to €100 per hectare which would have cost...

Milk Quota (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: This issue was debated in some detail last night and on which I agree with the Deputy. We need to find a way to allow the dairy industry to expand before 2015 when the European Union wide quota system ends. We have many young and not so young farmers in many counties who have the capacity to significantly increase milk output. They are doing so already at levels dangerously above their...

Milk Quota (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: That is a good question. I understand that France and Germany do not even want to entertain a discussion on this issue because the milk health check was agreed after a lot of difficult debate, particularly with France and Germany. Many people in both those countries would rather not see an end to the milk quota system. They see restricting milk output as a way of securing price consistency...

Milk Quota (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: That point needs to be made and I will do so. We need to make, and are making, reasonable arguments on interest rates relating to stability funds but unfortunately these things take time. Sometimes we are dealing with stubborn viewpoints in other European countries.

Agricultural Price Levels (25 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: I am glad of the opportunity to answer this question because farmers are outside Leinster House today protesting on this issue. Many farmers believe they are not getting a fair percentage of the margins made on food sales by retail outlets and big supermarket chains in particular. It is important to note, however, that my powers and influence in this area are limited. Prices in big outlets...

Agriculture: Motion (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes the potential and importance of the agriculture, fisheries and food industry to the Irish economy and in particular to support the implementation of Food Harvest 2020 and recognises that: — agriculture and the agri-food sector is Ireland's most important indigenous industry and will play...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: Section 8.7 of the Terms and Conditions of the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme provides that persons participating in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme are not eligible to join the scheme. The closing date for AEOS was Monday 16 May 2011 and as the person named will not complete their REPS3 contract until 31 May 2011, unfortunately they are not eligible to join the scheme in 2011.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named has been approved into the AEOS scheme with a start date of 1 September 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the Agri-Environment Options Scheme 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. I expect that payments to participants...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: My Department is not at present in a position to grant the continuation of a deceased participant's pension to his or her dependants. Since the first Scheme of Early Retirement from Farming was introduced in 1994, it had been my Department's practice to continue to do so. However, following audits of the Scheme by both the European Court of Auditors and the European Commission, the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: As processing of the application under the Grassland Sheep Scheme received from the person named on the 17 May 2010, has now been finalised, the payment due will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Irish Horseracing Industry: Irish Horseracing Industry (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: I appreciate the importance of the role of the Irish National Stud Company Ltd. as the flagship of the thoroughbred industry. The recommendations of the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities will be considered by the Government and decisions regarding future action will be taken.

Written Answers — Trade Missions: Trade Missions (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: At this point in time, my trade related visits planned for this year involve a visit to the UK in June which, as the Deputy will be aware, is one of Ireland's leading export markets for food and beverages. I will meet with my UK counterpart, Ms Caroline Spellman, the Minister for the Environment and two of her junior ministers to discuss trade and other related matters. Events will also be...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: The holding of the person concerned was restricted during the period 2 April 2008 to 8 June 2010, following a post mortem check on animals sent for slaughter which disclosed TB infection in two animals. Arising from the disclosure of TB in these animals, several TB tests were conducted on the person's herd in the course of the following months and a total of 26 reactor animals were removed...