Results 2,881-2,900 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

EU Directives. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: There has been confusion in regard to the precedent of the Netherlands' rules and regulations on fertiliser standards, for which the purposes of the nitrates directive and the standards operating in that country have a proper legal basis in the Netherlands. They are not merely recommendations or guidelines. I understand from my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local...

EU Directives. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: With regard to the letter from Teagasc to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government it recommended the nutrient application standards should be used as guidance tables only and not included in legislation. It is not an option. The Minister has spoken to the director of Teagasc on this matter and clarification has been sought and received. On the issue of REPS, it is...

Beef Exports. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: As a member of the EU and the World Trade Organisation, WTO, Ireland is in a position to avail of opportunities for trade that are essential for the development of our open economy. Membership of these organisations also brings reciprocal trade obligations. The principle is that imported animal products meet standards at least equivalent to those required for production in, and trade between,...

Beef Exports. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I wholeheartedly agree on the issue of labelling. Our colleagues in the Seanad are involved in drafting legislation that will hopefully be introduced in this House at the beginning of the next term so we can introduce law on the issue of labelling. We all agree on the necessity of labelling. The FVO carried out a number of audits and inspections between 2001 and 2004 on production and export...

Beef Imports. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: While imports of beef into Ireland in 2004 amounted to 22,881 tonnes, beef exports of almost 500,000 tonnes were made from Ireland to worldwide destinations. Accordingly, Ireland supports a system that facilitates orderly trade while taking account of animal health. The operation of harmonised EU legislation governing animal health, production and trade in animal products such as meat, takes...

Beef Imports. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The questions cover a number of issues. These are the concerns expressed regarding the WTO negotiations. Labelling is extremely important. It was available and is available in the retail sector. It is not available and has not been available in the catering or food production sector. That will change through legislative measures that hopefully come before the House soon. I agree——

Beef Imports. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The broken record is sitting in the Seanad. If Deputy Naughten has a problem with the Seanad he should take it up with his Senators. They all agreed that this Bill should be implemented as quickly as possible. We are all in agreement. It will happen and I will take a strict approach to the labelling of beef and this will continue to other products. Equivalence and equality are the issues. I...

Beef Imports. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I never said that.

Beef Imports. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: We are all getting tetchy today. A feed of Irish beef will do us all the world of good. We must not have had lunch today. On the basis of the concerns expressed by my parliamentary party, Members of the House and members of farming organisations, I raised this issue with the Commissioner. As I stated, the FVO is investigating it and will report shortly to the Commissioner, who has given his...

Beef Imports. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I have expressed our concerns to the highest level and I will continue to do so while awaiting a report from the Commissioner.

Waste Management. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, recently granted the Republic's first two licences for commercial waste incinerators subject to stringent conditions. A priority task for the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, since it was established in 1999 has been to monitor the food supply for contamination by dioxins. Concerning the introduction of waste incineration in Ireland as part of...

Waste Management. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I cannot make a personal comment because it is outside my jurisdiction. This is a matter for the EPA and it has gone through due process. In granting the licence, the EPA was satisfied that, subject to conditions, the incinerators would not endanger human health or harm the environment. The conditions require the operator to carry out monitoring programmes 20 times per year, ten times more...

Waste Management. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: These matters are before the courts. The decisions were made on the prerequisite that certain measures would be taken and it is for this reason my answer was conditional. These arrangements will prove satisfactory if certain measures are implemented. The EPA and the FSAI must be satisfied that these matters are dealt with. Deputy Sargent is correct in stating that these are spot checks. The...

Food Industry. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The strategic role of ICT in business development has been identified in the national e-business strategy launched by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in December 2004. Within this overall framework, the development agencies charged with promoting the growth of industry in general, and the agri-food industry in particular, are committed to optimising the potential of ICT in...

Food Industry. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I agree that in terms of infrastructure, it is not necessarily only what we can physically see that is important and in that context, the issue of broadband availability is relevant. This is particularly so with regard to the ability of small and artisan businesses to sell goods and services on-line. I do not wholeheartedly agree with some of the forecasts in the report. I see them as...

Food Industry. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I refute the Deputy's political innuendo. The support for agriculture from the Government and, in particular, my team has been second to none. It is high time we took the scaremongering out of what are very serious issues arising from the nitrates directive. Instead of issuing press releases we need to work with the sector to ensure it is viable. I have demonstrated my commitment with huge...

Food Industry. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: As it is coming up to Christmas I will, however, be magnanimous by saying that Internet access at post offices is not a bad idea. I will consider it. I am delighted at the interest of the farming community in Internet access to their schemes, such as the CMMS database, and the use of mobile telephones. It augurs well but we will still have to provide both schemes, as the Deputy will...

EU Directives. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Ireland's national action programme was formally submitted to the European Commission in July and regulations giving legal effect to it are being finalised following a consultation process.

EU Directives. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: We cannot take it as read. I am aware of concerns that have been expressed about the impact on the future of the pig and poultry sectors. Many farmers will have to adapt to the requirements of the nitrates directive and there will certainly be implications for pig and poultry farmers in particular because most of them do not have enough land of their own to spread the manure they produce. I...

EU Directives. (8 Dec 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy is correct that we have studied innovative ways to deal with the issue. It should not necessarily be termed "Waste" but that is the official EU term.