Results 2,721-2,740 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

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

Mary Coughlan: Since the confirmed outbreaks in Russia and Kazakhstan in July and the more recent outbreaks in Turkey, Romania and Croatia, a range of measures have been put in place to further minimise the risk of the introduction of the H5N1 avian 'flu virus into the European Union and, consequently, Ireland. Since the initial outbreaks of the H5N1 virus in south-east Asia in late 2003, the EU Commission...

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

Mary Coughlan: My Department provides community financial assistance to recognised producer organisations towards the cost of implementation of approved operational programmes in accordance with EU Regulations 2200/96 and 1433/2003. Programmes are for three or five year periods and on completion further programmes may be submitted. Claims for financial assistance are usually made on an annual basis for each...

Written Answers — Agricultural Prices: Agricultural Prices (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The most recent statistics, published by EUROSTAT for June 2005, show the percentage change in the index of producer prices of agricultural production by member state compared to the same month the previous year. The results show that the index fell in the EU by 8% and in Ireland by 3.3%. Ireland had the eighth lowest decrease, with only Slovenia and Lithuania recording increases. The prices...

Written Answers — Sugar Beet Industry: Sugar Beet Industry (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The provisional estimate for sugar beet plantings in 2005 is approximately 31,000 hectares, which is sufficient to fill the Irish sugar quota. Pending the outcome of the discussions on the sugar reform proposals, it is not possible to make predictions about the impact on future sugar beet plantings.

Written Answers — Bullying in the Workplace: Bullying in the Workplace (16 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: In March 2005 my Department, through the Chief State Solicitor's office, entered into an agreement with the person to whom the Deputy refers in settlement of a case brought by that individual against my Department. I am satisfied that my Department has used its best endeavours at all times to comply with the terms of that agreement. On 7 October 2005 the person in question was involved in a...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the 2005 single payment scheme-disadvantaged areas scheme was received from the person named. During processing of this application, an eligibility issue was identified regarding one of the parcels claimed. This has now been resolved and payment in respect of the disadvantaged areas scheme will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Infectious Diseases: Infectious Diseases (16 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Since the confirmed outbreaks in Russia and Kazakhstan in July and the more recent outbreaks in Turkey, Romania and Croatia, a range of measures have been put in place to further minimise the risk of the introduction of the H5N1 avian influenza virus into the European Union and, consequently, Ireland. Since the initial outbreaks of the H5N1 virus in south east Asia in late 2003, the EU...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (16 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: My Department supports the development of small rural based food enterprises directly and through Bord Bia. Grant aid is available under the scheme of investment for the commercial horticulture sector to encourage investment in commercially viable horticultural enterprises. The scheme is primarily aimed at those in rural areas who are engaged in production or are starting production projects....

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (16 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: While the Common Agricultural Policy is subject to ongoing reform, the last substantive reform took place under the mid-term review, which was agreed by the Council of Agriculture Ministers in June 2003. The reform represented a favourable outcome for Ireland. The main policy proposals under consideration at present are the Commission's proposals for the reform of the sugar sector. In the...

Written Answers — Sugar Beet Industry: Sugar Beet Industry (16 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I reiterated my firm opposition to the Commission's proposals when I addressed last month's meeting of the Council of Ministers in Luxembourg. I emphasised that the price cuts proposed are too severe, the reforms should be based on a longer lead-in time for the EBA and we should await the outcome of the WTO meeting in Hong Kong before seeking to agree a more equitable and balanced outcome. I...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (16 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: One of the early retirement scheme requirements is that the applicant's farming transferee meets certain viability criteria. In the case of the person named, it was found that his farming transferee did not meet the viability threshold of 20 income units derived from farming owned or leased land. Accordingly, his application, which was received in my Department on 26 March 2002, was rejected...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (16 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: It is a requirement of the EU regulation under which the early retirement scheme is implemented that the early retirement pension can be paid only as a supplement to any national retirement pension that the participant receives. Consequently, the value of any such national retirement pension must be deducted from the early retirement pension. In the case of the person named, he became...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (17 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Copper chrome arsenate is a wood preservative and is regulated under the biocides Directive 98/8 which was transposed into Irish legislation by S.I. 625/2001. All wood preservatives are currently being reviewed and evaluated at European Community level as part of the implementation of this directive and copper chrome arsenate is not being defended under this process. As a result, all Irish...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (17 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Tanalith E has been notified for use as a wood preservative in Ireland in accordance with the provisions of the biocides legislation. Tanalith E contains the biocide active agents copper carbonate, propiconazole, tebuconazole and boric acid, all of which are at present being reviewed at European level as required by Directive 98/8. This review is expected to be finalised for each of these...

Written Answers — Capital Expenditure: Capital Expenditure (17 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The vast majority of capital expenditure in my Department relates to demand led capital grant schemes involving relatively small scale investments by farmers and others in the agri-food sectors. There are no capital projects in my Department for which estimated cost was between €30 million and €50 million in the years specified.

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (22 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The following tables break down the staff in my two Minister of State's offices working on constituency matters: Office of the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Smith. Grade Number Salary Scale â'¬ Personal Assistant 1 20,186-38,948 Secretarial Assistant Salary Scale + 10% Allowance Personal Secretary 1 20,186-38,948 Secretarial Assistant Salary Scale + 10% Allowance ...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (22 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application under the disadvantaged areas scheme on 8 June 2005. As the closing date for receipt of applications under this scheme was 16 May 2005, the person named was advised that this application would attract a late penalty of 16%. Under the scheme, an applicant is required to have a minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare. My...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (22 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The European Communities (Milk Quota) Regulations 2000, as amended, provide that, where a quota holder delivers less than 70% of his or her milk quota for two successive years, some or all of the unused part of the quota may be taken into the national reserve. Where the low level of deliveries is due to force majeure, or in other duly justified cases, temporarily affecting production, no...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person named was paid €1,494.07 under the 2004 disadvantaged areas compensatory allowance scheme. To be eligible for the scheme, applicants must have a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare. A subsequent check on the animals on the holding of the person named showed that the minimum stocking density was not satisfied in his case and the overpayment of...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the single payment scheme-disadvantaged areas scheme was received from the person named on 5 May 2005. The case was selected for a ground inspection, which has been completed. The processing of the findings of the inspection will result in some alterations to the area claimed. The file is being further processed, with a view to payment under the disadvantaged areas scheme...