Results 3,761-3,780 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

EU Directives. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: This situation relates to the implementation of the wild birds directive and as such it is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. He has designated the Owenduff/Nephin Beg complex, which includes the area in question, under both the wild birds and habitats directives. The European Commission secured a judgment against Ireland in the...

EU Directives. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: There are 135 sheep farmers in the area, 85 of whom participate in REPS and are entitled to measure A, that is, €242 per hectare, which we renegotiated and obtained. With regard to the five-month destocking period, compensation will be made available by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government through the national parks and wildlife service to address issues of feed...

EU Directives. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Commission investigated the matter last June and found that, despite the measures previously introduced, the 60% under the commonage framework plan did not work. On that basis, they went beyond the plan. It may be appropriate for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the national parks and wildlife service to hold further discussions with the farmers on...

Export Refunds. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Irish beef exports in 2005 stood at 487,000 tonnes. All these exports went to the UK and continental Europe except for 35,000 tonnes which went to third countries, mainly Russia. While the beef industry has in recent years become less reliant on third countries, these markets are important for specific cuts at particular times of the year. Third country beef exports attract export refunds. At...

Export Refunds. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I concur with the Deputy on a number of issues. France was the only state to support the argument I made at the last Council meeting that the removal of the pre-financing of export refunds is not appropriate at this time for two reasons. First, following the Court of Auditors investigation in 2003, we streamlined our procedures. Second, from a political and tactical point of view, it means...

Export Refunds. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: We will raise the issue in the beef management committee and consider the adverse effect this will have. On the basis of our meat exports per se, the majority goes to the European community and the United Kingdom in particular. In our preparedness to deal with the impact of change in the market as a consequence of the WTO, the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food,...

Live Exports. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: They did, and they had comfortable seats.

Sugar Industry. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Throughout the negotiations on reform of the EU sugar regime, my primary objective was to seek to have the Commission's proposals modified to ensure the continuation of an efficient sugar processing sector in Ireland. I had several meetings with the Commissioner in that regard and Ireland played an active role in a group of 11 member states which had common cause in seeking to modify the...

Sugar Industry. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: If the Deputy wanted to know what meetings I had with Greencore he should have asked the question. That is not the question that was asked. I have had several discussions with Greencore and its representatives, as I have had with farming organisations and people in the localities affected by the reforms. I have met Deputies and Senators from all sides and contractors and as many people as...

Sugar Industry. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: That is pathetic, Deputy. It is as pathetic as the Deputy's telephone call to me on 15 March.

Sugar Industry. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I will answer the latter question first. The question of whether to grow sugar beet for bioethanol is a matter for farmers and people who might want to be involved in the activity on a commercial basis.

Sugar Industry. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: When Deputy Kehoe is on this side of the House he can spout——

Sugar Industry. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: ——about how he would have saved the sugar industry. He could not have done so because nobody could.

Sugar Industry. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The consequences of this regime have been severe. Some 11 closures have taken place in countries where the impact statement did not anticipate this. I met people at the marts in Wexford who are involved in alternative energy and energy crops. This should be considered in the context of the diversification of the sugar industry. We should not underestimate the impact this has on the people the...

Sugar Industry. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: An impact study was carried out by the Commission, which indicated that in a number of countries this measure would have an adverse effect. Ireland was one of these countries, the others were Finland, Portugal, Italy and Spain. Alternatives are being considered and a considerable amount of money has been made available for research into alternatives. This has been done in conjunction with the...

Written Answers — Sugar Industry: Sugar Industry (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Greencore recently announced its decision to discontinue sugar production. This was a commercial decision by the company having regard to the current situation on the sugar market and the agreement on reform of the EU sugar regime. The agreement on reform of the EU sugar regime provides for compensation to beet growers of up to 64% of the reduction in the minimum price for beet. This...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department, along with other agencies and this person's private veterinary practitioners, has been carrying out investigations in relation to the situation on the farm of the person named. As the problem on the farm is a complex one, the approach has been to investigate as many factors as possible in a methodical, scientific way so that the most appropriate course of action can be pursued...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has certain statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals. The legislation governing this is the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984 and the European Communities (Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes) Regulations 2000. In addition there is specific legislation in relation to pigs, calves and laying hens. Welfare cases...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The revised farm waste management scheme to enable farmers meet the additional requirements of the nitrates directive was launched by my Department on 24 March 2006. Under the scheme, a standard grant aid is available at a rate of 60% for both animal housing and slurry storage, with 70% being available in the four zone C counties. The maximum eligible investment has also been increased from...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: One of my main objectives since assuming office as Minister for Agriculture and Food was to ensure the efficient implementation of the decoupled single payment scheme — the most significant change to agricultural support since our accession to the European Community. This huge task was successfully implemented when over €1 billion in single payments issued to 118,500 farmers last...