Results 3,861-3,880 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Under the revised farm waste management scheme launched by my Department on 24 March 2006, top-up grants are available for young farmers in less-favoured areas for investments in animal housing, slurry storage and related items. In order to be eligible for the top-up grant, the young farmer must be under 35, meet the educational requirements of the scheme, and be farming for less than five...
- Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I am aware that the premium paid to forest planters has not been increased since the year 2000. A review is currently being carried out and I am in discussions with the Minister for Finance as to what the appropriate rate should be.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Two applications under the 2005 single payment scheme were received by my Department, one in the names of the first two persons named and a second in the names of the three persons named. Payment of the dairy premium element of the single payment issued in the names of the three persons named on 1 December 2005. However, given the change in herd owner details, with the addition of the third...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The person concerned has previously spoken to an officer in the local district veterinary office and has been advised that he is not eligible for payment under the income supplement scheme due to the fact that he moved animals into his holding during the restriction period. The relevant documentation giving approval for moving cattle into a restricted holding clearly states that this practice...
- Written Answers — Sugar Industry: Sugar Industry (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The agreement on reform of the EU sugar regime, necessitated by internal EU pressures as well as international pressures arising from WTO and EBA obligations, will lead to a significant reduction in EU sugar production. Five member states, France, Germany, Poland, UK and Italy, account for two thirds of EU sugar production and it is likely that these states will continue to account for the...
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Last week I launched the Agri-Vision 2015 action plan which set out in detail the actions which need to be taken to maintain the Irish agrifood industry as a viable food producing sector. This is a major strategic plan for the agricultural industry and contains a total of 166 major actions which I am taking or propose to take in the near future on a wide range of issues. The main drivers of...
- Written Answers — Food Exports: Food Exports (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Irish beef exports are now concentrated in the high value UK and continental markets. This is a result of the combination of the targeting of these high value markets by meat plants and the emergence of a significant beef deficit in the EU. The deficit this year is expected to be of the order of 350,000 tonnes or 5% of EU beef production. In 2005, we exported 487,000 tonnes of beef, all of...
- Written Answers — Food Exports: Food Exports (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The Irish dairy sector has enjoyed much success on international and EU markets in recent years and performed solidly in 2005. Exports of Irish dairy products and ingredients amounted to â¬1.82 billion last year, as Irish exporters responded to strong market demand worldwide. Ireland exports a wide range of dairy products to over 100 countries worldwide. The main dairy exports from Ireland...
- Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: At the end of February 2006 there were 3,878 active participants in the 1994 scheme of early retirement from farming and 2,592 active participants in the 2000 early retirement scheme. My Department is currently processing 73 new applications for the 2000 scheme. The charter of rights for farmers 2005-2007 requires my Department to process early retirement scheme applications within nine weeks...
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Figures available from 2002 show the number of deer slaughtered in export approved plants as follows: Year No. of head slaughtered 2002 1,759 2003 1,278 2004 1,079 2005 957 These figures do not include a significant number of animals now being sent to Northern Ireland. The Central Statistics Office does not publish data on the level of domestic consumption or exports of...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The underlying principle of the nitrates directive is nutrient balance and, as far as grass growth and tillage are concerned, it means that maximum fertilisation rates will be set which will allow for the application of organic and chemical fertiliser that grass and other crops will take up in full. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which has primary...
- Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The main element of the most recent review and reform of the Common Agricultural Policy was the introduction of the full decoupling of direct payments from production in the case of livestock production, milk production and arable crops. Ireland opted to implement full decoupling with effect from 2005. Partial decoupling options were provided for member states that do not wish to decouple...
- Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Responsibility for general food labelling policy rests with the Department of Health and Children. The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is responsible for the labelling of fish and aqua products and my Department is responsible for more detailed legislation on the labelling of specific food products including beef and poultry meat. The enforcement of all food...
- Seanad: Agrifood Sector: Motion. (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I did not realise he had left.
- Seanad: Agrifood Sector: Motion. (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Had the Senator asked me, I would have provided him with a copy.
- Seanad: Agrifood Sector: Motion. (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Five Ministers.
- Seanad: Agrifood Sector: Motion. (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: What about the WTO?
- Seanad: Agrifood Sector: Motion. (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: That is an infantile and egocentric viewpoint, typical of the Fine Gael Party which could have done no better.
- Seanad: Agrifood Sector: Motion. (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: That is factually incorrect.
- Seanad: Agrifood Sector: Motion. (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: How many minutes do I have to speak?