Results 19,321-19,340 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheepmeat Sector (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The sheep sector is an important component of our agriculture sector and the third largest farming sector in Ireland with over 34,000 producers. 2015 proved to be another good year for the sheep sector. A combination of higher carcase weight (up 1.9%) and higher factory prices (up 1.5%) meant that output value of the sector increased by over 3%. Total sheepmeat exports increased by an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Consultancy Contracts Data (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the table. Some of the reports outlined are mandatory in the context of EU obligations. 2011: March- December Company Title of Report Date or Expected Date of Publication Costs - € University College Dublin Evaluation of the EU School Fruit Scheme/Food Dude Programme in Ireland 2011 - Commission Regulation 288 of 2009 10...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Public Inquiries (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: There has been one judicial inquiry since 1991 and the details are below. Date Name Terms of Reference Costs 31 May 1991 Beef Tribunal To inquire into the following definite matters of urgent public importance: (i) allegations regarding illegal activities, fraud and malpractice in and in connection with the beef processing industry made or referred to: (a) in Dáil...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Allowances (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The information regarding my expenses and those of the Ministers of State in my Department is set out in the table. Minister of State Ann Phelan also holds ministerial responsibilities in the Departments of Environment Community and Local Government and also Transport Tourism and Sport, and consequently one third of the expenses claimed by Minister Phelan are reimbursed by these Departments....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Expenditure (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The staff of the Press Office of my Department provide the media monitoring and media clipping services for the Department. No additional costs have been incurred for the period in question.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Maintenance (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute. While first and foremost a working fishery harbour, Howth similar to the other five Fishery Harbour Centres, has its own unique features which is home to a broad range of diverse economic and social activities. My Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Veterinary Qualifications (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: In accordance with the Veterinary Practice Act 2005, the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) is the competent authority for the recognition of qualifications of veterinary practitioners from the EU or third countries.  The Veterinary Practice Act provides for the mutual recognition of qualifications in veterinary medicine within the EU and for mutual recognition agreements between the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Department is engaged in an ongoing building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. Projects for completion under the programme are identified on an ongoing basis by the military and these projects are prioritised for inclusion as part of the annual programme. The capital element of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Military Authorities, whilst acknowledging the concerns expressed by RDFRA in relation to Cultaca Flash, of the need to take cognizance of all concerns, representations and sensitivities in relation to identity, tradition and custom. The Cultaca Flash provides a method of ensuring that the proud heritage of Reserve Defence Force is preserved under the Single Force Concept...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: It is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. My Department is currently in the process of compiling as much of the information as is reasonably accessible from the personnel systems in the Defence Forces. Some of the information requested is not available from the personnel system and would require an examination of individual files which is not...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Consultancy Contracts Data (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to external consultant reports commissioned by my Department since March 2011 is set out in the table below. Report Cost Company Commission Date Publication Date An independent review of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) fatalities in 1989 €51,660 Mr. Frank Callanan, S.C. 19 April 2011 19 September 2011 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Inquiries (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not established or operated any Tribunal of Inquiry or Commission of Inquiry or investigations in the period since 1991. The Department has, when requested, responded to requests from a number of external investigations including the Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings, the Smithwick Inquiry and from the Garda Síochána. A number of internal...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Allowances (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The table below sets out the expenses, other than mileage, claimed by Mr. Alan Shatter T.D., during his time as Minister for Defence from March 2011 to July 2014 and those that I have claimed in the period in my capacity as Minister for Defence since I was appointed to the role in July 2014. The table also sets out the expenses, again other than mileage, claimed by Mr. Paul Kehoe T.D.,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The amount spent on media clipping and media monitoring services for the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces in each calendar year from 2011 to 2015 is outlined in the table below: YEAR AMOUNT 2011 €47,451.72 2012 €36,706.33 2013 €28,765.40 2014 €29,050.14 2015 €28,896.39 The media clipping and monitoring service is used to...

Seanad: Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015: Second Stage (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to introduce the Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015 to the Seanad. I should say at the outset that this Bill has been the subject of a very constructive process of pre-legislative scrutiny by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The final shape of the Bill before the House today has therefore been very significantly influenced by the view of Senators,...

Seanad: Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015: Second Stage (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Senator.

Seanad: Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015: Second Stage (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: No. It is not just dates.

Seanad: Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015: Second Stage (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Senators for their very generous comments, particularly those from the Opposition spokespeople. I appreciate that. I obviously appreciate those from my own crowd as well. They are always welcome. I will answer some of the questions people have put because I want to reassure people about a number of things. People need to realise that the horse and greyhound racing fund is now...

Seanad: Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am glad the Senator asked that question. The brief explains it quite well. As the Senator knows, I go off script a lot but the script looks to be accurate in this case. Section 12 aims to strengthen accountability for public funds by providing that the regulatory body prepare accounts in respect of its statutory obligations and forward the accounts to the Comptroller and Auditor General...

Seanad: Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I do not think so. We have decided to put this in the legislation because the horse and greyhound fund links these two industries.I expect we will have more comprehensive legislation on the greyhound industry as a whole in the not too distant future, following from the report we have carried out into Bord na gCon and the industry. The greyhound industry faces challenges but I would not be as...