Results 4,721-4,740 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (27 Sep 2006)

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. The control authorities designated for the purposes of implementation of the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 are the local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency. My...

Written Answers — EU Regulations: EU Regulations (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The requirement that all bovine animals over 30 months of age, slaughtered for human consumption, must be tested for BSE is provided for in Regulation (EC) No. 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council, laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (The TSE Regulation). Accordingly I do not have discretion to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application under the 2005 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme on the 5th May 2005. The area claimed on this application was 29.19 hectares. A subsequent field inspection established a found area of 23.25 hectares, as the person named had leased out one of the parcels claimed. This resulted in an over-declaration of 25.55%. Under EU Regulations, payment cannot be made if...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Payment dated 11 September 2006 has issued to the person named. This was within the targets agreed in the Charter of Rights for Farmers.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The above-named person is an applicant for grant-aid under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. The application is currently being processed and a decision in respect of the application will be made shortly.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the National Reserve under Category C. Category C caters for farmers who sold their milk quota into a re-structuring scheme and who converted to a farming sector for which a direct payment under the Livestock and/or Arable Aid Schemes would have been payable in respect of the years 2000 to 2002. Following...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The EU Regulations governing the operation of the Single Payment Scheme provides for funding in each of the years 2005 to 2012. The principle behind the SPS is that while maintaining direct supports for the agriculture sector, such supports would no longer be directly linked to production. Such a change in emphasis thereby gives farmers freedom to farm in a manner more attuned to the...

Written Answers — Cattle Identification Scheme: Cattle Identification Scheme (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department is constantly looking at developments in the market in relation to eartags to ensure that the tag most suited to the needs of Irish farming is available. The suitability of the current tag and that recently selected for use in the Irish bovine identification system was determined by reference to a range of criteria designed to select an effective and secure identification and...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the Single Payment Scheme National Reserve under Category B. Category B caters for farmers who, between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003, made an investment in production capacity in a farming sector for which a direct payment under Livestock Premia and /or Arable Aid schemes would have been payable during the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The question of whether Coillte should reimburse monies paid to them under the EU afforestation scheme stems from a decision by the European Court of Justice on the status of the company. The matter is under consideration within my Department and a decision will be made shortly.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: A review of current policy is underway. A High-Level Strategy Group in my Department is undertaking this review in the light of recent developments affecting the forestry sector. These include the Bacon Review, the situation following the introduction of the Single Farm Payment Scheme and the new Rural Development Regulation. The High-Level Strategy Group will be submitting its findings...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Forestry and Margaritifera Group was established to identify and address the potential impacts of forestry operations on the freshwater pearl mussel. It consists of two sub groups (a) the Steering Group and (b) the Technical Working Group. Parliamentary Question No. 172 of 1st June 2006 sought the terms of reference of the Steering Group. As there were no written terms of reference...

Written Answers — Nitrates Regulations: Nitrates Regulations (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The soil classification used in respect of the 2006 Nitrates Regulations is for one purpose only — the application of fertiliser for agricultural purposes. The classification system for soils, including peat, which is used in forestry has much wider application, including species selection, estimation of potential rooting depth, potential yield, crop stability etc. It is not proposed to...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Foliar analysis is the internationally recognised method to determine nutrient requirements, including phosphorous requirements, in forests. There are recognised levels for different tree species to indicate their nutrient requirements. A site inspection also takes place to ensure that any nutrient deficiency identified by foliar analysis is not due to silvicultural or environmental factors.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1183 and 1186 together. The application of fertiliser in forestry is governed by the Code of Best Forest Practice, Forestry and Water Guidelines and Forestry and Aerial Fertilization Guidelines, all issued by the Forest Service of my Department. These Guidelines, which reflect scientific findings and international good practice, set out requirements for...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The information required for felling licence applications is prescribed under legislation in accordance with the Forestry Act, 1946 (Part IV) Regulations, 1949 and is furnished by way of a Felling Application and Notice submitted by the landowner. Part I of the Felling Notice contains particulars relating to the applicant and the land on which the trees stand together with a declaration of...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I have no authority to regulate non-grant aided forest road construction on private property. Protection of the Environment in such a non-grant aid situation is a matter for the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (S.I. 538/2001), which were introduced by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, my prior approval must be obtained for all afforestation projects, regardless of whether any application is made for grant aid. A full review of forestry legislation is underway at present in my Department, and the...

Written Answers — Water Supply: Water Supply (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I have no plans to introduce grant-aid for the boring of wells by farmers on their lands.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has received the submission referred to in his question. The submission, which contains a request for a substantial amount of State funding, is currently being carefully examined by officials in my Department and a decision will issue in due course.