Written Answers Nos. 130 - 136
132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which he has ongoing discussions with his EU colleagues in the context of the European defence and security issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26340/14]
View answerTwice a year Defence Ministers convene at the formal Foreign Affairs Council in Defence Ministers format. These formal Council meetings are held in Brussels or Luxembourg at the invitation of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton. Ministers of Defence also meet at their informal meetings that are held in the country holding the Presidency of the European Council and again these are held twice per year. These meetings commence with the European Defence Agency Steering Board at which Defence Ministers are briefed on and discuss ongoing issues in the area of defence capability development. The meetings of Defence Ministers then commence and provide an opportunity for Ministers to discuss and make decisions on Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) issues. All Member States are represented at these meetings. However, Denmark does not participate in the decision making process under its general opt-out on decisions with defence or military implications. In addition, EU organisations including the European External Action Service, the Council Secretariat, the European Commission, the European Defence Agency, the Chairman of the EU Military Staff and the Chairman of the EU Military Committee also attend. Operational Commanders may also brief the Ministers on the most recent developments in the various EU missions.
133. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the number of missions performed by the Emergency Aeromedical Support Service to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26367/14]
View answerSince the pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support service commenced operating out of Custume Barracks, Athone in June 2012 there were 652 missions completed by the Air Corps (up to the end of May 2014).
134. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost to the Exchequer each year from 2009 to 2014 of the amount paid by his Department under the terms of settlements which included confidentiality agreements or confidentiality clauses. [26174/14]
View answerIt is not possible to provide this information in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
135. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in processing a single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26197/14]
View answerA review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that one of the land parcels declared contained ineligible features. The person named was notified of this in April 2014. Following resolution of the outstanding issues, payment was recently processed. Payment totalling €16,140.19 issued dated 16 June and I expect it to be in the nominated bank account of the person named this week.
136. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the agri-environment option scheme 2 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26211/14]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2011 and full entitlements have issued in respect of the 2011 and 2012 Scheme years.
During a 2013 inspection, the person named was found to be non-compliant in respect of the Coppicing of Hedgerows, Laying of Hedgerows and Alternative Water Source for Bovines actions. A letter issued to the person named notifying him of the inspection findings and setting out the appeal option. As no appeal was received my Department processed the application in order to make the 75% payment. In finalising the payment, some additional issues emerged which took longer than anticipated to resolve. The application is now in order for payment and it is in the final stages of processing. The application will be cleared for payment by the end of the week and 75% payment for the 2013 Scheme year will issue shortly to the person named. The 25% balancing payment will follow taking account of penalties due.
