Results 19,361-19,380 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted a 2015 Private Contract Clause application to my Department seeking the transfer of land and entitlements by lease. This application has been processed and payment will issue shortly. The person named also submitted applications under the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme to my Department.  Once payment under the Basic Payment Scheme has been made,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes was received from the person named on 7 May 2015. Processing of this application is complete and payment has issued to the nominated bank account of the person named. The person named joined AEOS 3 in May 2013 and has been paid for the 2013-2014 Scheme years. In relation to the payment in respect of 2015, under the EU...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Workplace Safety (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive establishes a framework for European Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides by setting minimum rules to reduce the risks to human health and the environment that are associated with pesticide use. It also promotes the use of integrated pest management.The Directive is designed to further enhance the high level of protection...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farmers Charter of Rights (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: A Farmers’ Charter Review Group was set up in 2014 with a view to agreeing a new Farmers’ Charter of Rights. The Farmers Charter Review Group was chaired by an Assistant Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and comprised of senior Department officials and representatives of the main farmer representative organisations.Following on from positive...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farmers Charter of Rights (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I understand the Deputy is referring to the original Farmers’ Charter of Rights which dates back to the mid 1990s. Statistics in relation to that Charter are not readily available. However, there have been a number of versions of the Charter since then. Throughout the years, targets set down in the various Farmers’ Charters have been monitored by independently chaired...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Farming (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The primary responsibility for ensuring that aquaculture licence conditions are fully adhered to rests, in the first instance, with each licence holder. Where instances of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of an aquaculture licence are identified by my Department the matter is referred to the licence holder for corrective action. The efficient and effective regulation of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Farming (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: My Department is currently examining possible overstocking in respect of four sites operated by one operator. Pending completion of this examination it would not be appropriate to comment further.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheep Technology Adoption Programme Payments (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named was a participant in the 2015 Sheep Technology Adoption Programme (STAP). As part of his commitment under that scheme he undertook to carry out a faecal egg count reduction test. Appendix III to the Terms and Conditions of the scheme sets out the instructions for this test, including the stipulation that re-sampling must take place 14 days after treatment. As this...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to maintaining the establishment of at least 9,500 in the Permanent Defence Force, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services. As there is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff Retirements (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that no cases of the kind referred to by the Deputy were taken against my Department in the last four years.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Easter Rising Commemorations (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The State is undertaking a comprehensive programme of commemorations during 2016 which commenced on New Year’s Day in Dublin Castle.  Further details of the commemorations being held this year are available at .  I am currently considering any further initiatives that may be introduced in this context.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: As I mentioned to the Deputy yesterday Officials from the Department are scheduled to meet with the CEO of Westmeath County Council later this week to discuss the long-term future plans for the Barracks. I would hope that some progress can be made to determine the future direction for the Barracks. I would also be happy to discuss, with any interested group, any proposals they may have for...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am more than aware of the ongoing British inquiry into the prescribing of Lariam by the British Ministry of Defence to its military personnel, to which the Deputy refers. Of course, we are going to watch what comes out of that but we also have to ensure we look at our own systems, whether in having a screening process or in ensuring we follow the best medical advice on prescribing the...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: We were hoping to have this report by the end of January and I responded to that effect in November when Deputy Clare Daly raised the issue, something she has done repeatedly. The group has asked for a bit more time, which I am happy to give them because I want sound advice here. If they need more time they will get it. I cannot give the Deputy an exact date as to when we will get that...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: That is a very reasonable question. By 22 January 2016, which was last Friday, a total of 3,122 members of the Defence Forces had been deployed. In addition, 517 Defence Force vehicles, including ten helicopters, have been provided to support these works. This was a major response by any standards. If we are learning lessons - there are always lessons to be learned from the kind of...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Deployment (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: We did things differently this time. Most balanced observers would say the level of co-ordination across Government, both locally and nationally, in the context of this flooding was better than we have ever seen before. I would say it was significantly better than we have ever seen before. The task force on emergency planning in Government is chaired by me as Minister of Defence. The...

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy can keep asking the same question if he wants, but he will get the same answer. If this barracks of approximately 24 acres is to be developed, a partnership will be needed to find sustainable and good community uses for it. That is why we have been working to accommodate the GAA, the Garda Síochána, Westmeath County Council and other groups, including voluntary groups,...

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy seems to want the Department of Defence to go away and come back with some kind of super plan in isolation.

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: We have-----

Other Questions: Army Barracks Closures (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Coveney: There is ongoing engagement with Westmeath County Council on the best use of this barracks.