Results 2,181-2,200 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (28 Sep 2005)

Mary Coughlan: There appears to be a misunderstanding at the heart of this question. The position is that the draft regulations circulated by my Department will not, other than in the case of intramammary antibiotic medicines, bring under prescription control at this time any other categories of medicine which are currently not subject to such restriction. EU Directive 2004-28 provides that all veterinary...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (29 Sep 2005)

Mary Coughlan: For 2006, I have decided that the modulated funds should be used on a once-off payment under the disadvantaged areas scheme. This requires EU approval and is under current consideration by the EU Commission. Persons in receipt of the single farm payment will qualify for the once-off payments under the disadvantaged areas scheme provided they are eligible under that scheme. For the 2007-13...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Sep 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application under the single payment scheme and the disadvantaged areas scheme. There has not been any delay relating to digitising and he is clear for payment on 63.23 hectares of forage. The disadvantaged areas scheme payment will be based on 45 hectares, the maximum number of hectares payable under the scheme, and will be issued by my Department this week.

Written Answers — Veterinary Medicines: Veterinary Medicines (29 Sep 2005)

Mary Coughlan: My Department circulated draft regulations in relation to veterinary medicines for consultation in early August of this year and has received written submissions from most of the main stakeholders. My Department has also subsequently met with many of these stakeholders concerned as part of the consultative process. In addition, as required by the relevant legislation, the animal remedies...

EU Directives. (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The draft regulations on veterinary medicines, which were circulated by my Department in August for consultation, are designed to give effect to EU Directive No. 2004/28 and to reform aspects of the existing national regime for consultation. The Department received written submissions from most of the main stakeholders and subsequently met many of them as part of the consultative process. In...

EU Directives. (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: A number of issues arise. The United Kingdom proceeded much faster than expected——

EU Directives. (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I do not really care because I have taken the opportunity for consultation on this matter. As I indicated previously all the organisations and individuals involved put their views and I am awaiting the consultative committee who will advise me on this matter. I will make further announcements over the next two to three weeks. I agree that cost is an issue and on that basis and because I am...

EU Directives. (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I as Minister will make that decision and not the Department.

EU Directives. (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I know the Deputy will ensure I am held politically responsible. As I indicated in my initial response, the exemption list has been forwarded to the Commission. The Deputy is correct in saying the exemption list must be agreed by the 25 member states. If this agreement is not forthcoming between now and 1 January 2007, I will in the interim reflect on the implications and make a balanced...

Animal Diseases. (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I hope the Ceann Comhairle will allow me to finish the extensive reply to this important question.

Animal Diseases. (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I ask for a bit more than that. A particularly virulent high pathogenic strain of avian influenza has been affecting countries in south-east Asia since December 2003. Both Russia and Kazakhstan confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain in poultry in August. The high pathogenic strain has not been reported anywhere in the European Union since 2003, when there was an outbreak...

Animal Diseases. (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: It is an extensive answer. Additional information not given on the floor of the House In August the Commission expert group considered the possibility that the disease could be imported into the EU via migratory birds, particularly water birds and concluded, based on the existing knowledge of migratory routes of the species of birds proceeding from central and western Asia and that might pose...

Animal Diseases. (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I reiterate that vigilance is uppermost in our minds. The Department and its counterpart in the North work in co-ordination with each other as does the Department and the Department of Health and Children and other agencies. I reassure the Deputy that the evolving scientific evidence as provided by the EU will be reflected in our contingency plans. Vigilance is being maintained in the...

Animal Diseases. (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: All those involved in the sector have been informed about this matter and information leaflets have been made available. In the event of an outbreak of this disease, those at the frontline would include not only those involved in the poultry sector but Department officials who are fully au fait with the implications. My Department has ensured that those officials have the necessary equipment...

Farm Retirement Scheme. (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I have not taken a decision on the future of the early retirement scheme. The EU Council regulation covering the current scheme will expire in December 2006. The Council regulation on rural development for the period 2007 to 2013 again includes provision for member states to operate early retirement measures. No decisions have yet been taken regarding the schemes to be operated in Ireland...

Farm Retirement Scheme. (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy has nearly answered the argument he put forward. That is the reason I put out this idea, although I would not say I am stirring the pot.

Farm Retirement Scheme. (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Foresight is 20/20. Therefore, we must evaluate the scheme. I agree that its usefulness when introduced was tremendous. However, the decrease from 10,000 to 2,599 farmers to date participating in the scheme represents a major gap. It poses the question why are farmers not interested in participating in the scheme. There are a number of reasons, including that the pension is not index-linked....

Sugar Beet Industry. (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I have already made it clear that the Commission's proposals for reform of the EU sugar regime, which were published on 22 June, are unacceptable in their present form. The key elements of the proposals are a 39% price cut in the institutional price for sugar, a corresponding reduction in the minimum price for sugar beet and 60% compensation to farmers for the price cut. A voluntary...

Sugar Beet Industry. (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I have continued to speak to my colleagues over the summer. I will shortly meet my colleague from Italy where the implications for sugar are equally severe. We have not had a bilateral meeting yet with either the Commission or the Presidency. I hope to do that on the Monday night of the Council meeting. The high level group of officials will meet the Commission to discuss this matter on...

Sugar Beet Industry. (4 Oct 2005)

Mary Coughlan: As I said, this will be paid for through a levy on existing sugar producing factories from throughout the European Community. National funding will not be involved. The Deputy asked about the Spanish authorities. I met the Spanish Minister for Agriculture, Ms Elena Espinosa, the last time I attended a Council meeting, which was three weeks ago. As regards meetings with officials,...