Results 2,701-2,720 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The rules for planners in REPS 1 and 2 provided for three warnings to be given where plans were found to be deficient, to be followed by suspension if there was a fourth incident; for more serious deficiencies there was provision for immediate suspension. In the course of REPS 1, no Teagasc planners were recommended for suspension; under REPS 2 there were two recommendations. The sanction of...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Mainline rail only was used on the following occasions in the course of my duties: May 2005, Dublin to Cork to attend various agriculture functions in Clonakilty and Fermoy; May 2005, Dublin to Mallow to attend various agriculture functions in Killarney, Tralee and Castleisland; and September 2005, Dublin to Mallow to attend various agriculture functions in Kerry.

Written Answers — National Spatial Strategy: National Spatial Strategy (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: While my Department has not undertaken any specific initiatives in 2005 relating to the national spatial strategy, its role in the continued development of the agri-food sector makes a significant contribution to regional development and the development of the rural economy more generally.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The details sought by the Deputy are as follows. The guidelines for monitoring the employment of people with disabilities by public bodies are set out in the Code of Practice for the Civil Service 1994. Information on the nature of staff disabilities, by grade or by specific qualifications is not collected. The definition of a person with a disability for the purposes of the 3% target is set...

Written Answers — Beef Imports: Beef Imports (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: While there is free movement for trade within the EU all consignments from third countries must first be landed at a border inspection post, BIP, that has been approved by the Food and Veterinary Office of the EU, FVO, and must undergo documentary, identity and physical checks. These are carried out at frequencies laid down in EU law. In Ireland BIPs approved for the processing of imports of...

Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has implemented a wide range of alternative enterprise measures. I am satisfied that these have played an important part in the development of the relevant sectors. In conjunction with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, my Department will undertake a widespread consultation process on a rural development strategy and support measures for the 2007 to 2013...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The number of hectares of afforestation grant aided by my Department in the last ten years is shown in the following table. It is important to note that the area quoted refers to the area for which payments were actually made in the year concerned. Year Hectares 2004 9,734 2003 9,097 2002 15,054 2001 15,464 2000 15,695 1999 12,668 1998 12,928 1997 11,403 1996...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I understand that the Deputy is specifically interested in wood biomass. The types of wood biomass that are used to provide energy include wood from normal forestry operations, the by-products from those operations, wood residue from forestry related industries and purpose grown energy crops including short rotation crops such as willow. Almost all this wood biomass has been produced with...

Written Answers — North-South Co-operation: North-South Co-operation (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: There has been excellent ongoing co-operation between the officials of my Department and the officials of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland in a number of areas. The development of an all-island animal health and welfare strategy which would facilitate free movement of animals on the island, subject to EU rules is given substantial consideration in this...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The legislation to which the Deputy refers brings together under one directive the import conditions and requirements for species susceptible to either foot and mouth disease or classical swine fever that were previously contained in two separate directives — one covering domestic species Council Directive 72/462/EEC, and the other wild species, Council Directive 92/65/EEC, the Balai...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I presume the Deputy is referring to the proposed voluntary scheme for the restructuring of the sugar industry. The scheme is part of the EU Commission's legislative proposals for reform of the sugar sector, which are currently under discussion. As the proposals are still under discussion the Deputy's question is hypothetical at this stage.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person named applied for an allocation of entitlements from the single payment scheme national reserve under category A, which caters for farmers who inherited land or received land free of charge or for a nominal sum from a farmer who had retired or died by 16 May 2005 and who had leased out his or her holding to a third party during the reference period 2000-2002. The person named also...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person named has submitted applications in respect of both the new entrant and inheritance measures of the single payment scheme. His application as a new entrant was not eligible as he farmed in all three of the 2000 to 2002 reference years. However, the person named was eligible in respect of the inheritance application and the inherited entitlements have been transferred to him.

Written Answers — Veterinary Qualifications: Veterinary Qualifications (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Veterinary Council of Ireland is the body designated under law with responsibility for recognition of qualifications in order to practice as a veterinary practitioner in Ireland. Hitherto, the council was constrained by the legislation as regards recognition of third country qualifications inasmuch as it could only do so where there are mutual recognition arrangements extant. There are no...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The report will be taken into account in the review of the regulatory system for plant protection products being undertaken with our EU partners and the Commission. The report reflects public concerns brought to the attention of the Royal Commission, recognises the lack of evidence of causality, and recommends that risk assessment techniques and methodologies be reviewed and that additional...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The stamp duty relief is one of several measures that the Government have put in place to support young farmers. The question of its extension is a matter for consideration by the Minister for Finance in the context of the forthcoming budget.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Promotion and development of renewable energy, including biofuels, in Ireland are matters in the first instance for the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. There are no funds available to my Department for the provision of grant aid on the lines suggested by the Deputy. However, I understand that Sustainable Energy Ireland has recently announced a pilot scheme to grant...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 459 and 460 together. Cryptosporidiosis is a highly pathogenic disease usually transmitted to humans via drinking water contaminated with either human sewage or animal manure. Water in swimming pools and theme parks may also be a source of infection. Infection can also be transferred directly to susceptible individuals from infected humans and animals. My...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has overall responsibility for energy policy and is primarily responsible for the promotion and development of renewable energy, including biofuels. The introduction of the single farm payment, with direct payments decoupled from production, gives farmers the opportunity to explore alternative land uses such as the growing of...

Written Answers — Animal Medicines: Animal Medicines (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The most recent statistics on agricultural inputs in Ireland published by the CSO show that agricultural input prices increased by 0.3% in August and the cost of inputs has increased by 4.8% in the 12 months to August 2005. One of the categories within the index of agricultural inputs is veterinary expenses, which includes medicines. Veterinary expenses remained unchanged in August and have...