Results 4,761-4,780 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Rural Development: Rural Development (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The EU rural development support framework forms part of the common agricultural policy. I believe that it is a very important element of that policy and that the priorities identified for the forthcoming programming period are the correct ones. These cover the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sectors, the environment and the countryside, and quality of life and...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day to day operational matters are the responsibility of the company. This matter was, however, raised with the company. I understand that a meeting has already been arranged between Coillte and the Office of Public Works to consider matters relating to the area in question.

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

Mary Coughlan: The person named was refused entry to REPS on the grounds that his holding was artificially created in order to satisfy the conditions for REPS participation. Artificially creating a holding for this purpose is expressly prohibited in the terms and conditions of the scheme. The person named appealed the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office but his appeal was not successful. He was...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: In May 2003, a group representing retired farmers lodged a petition with the European Parliament Committee on Petitions, alleging that Ireland had not implemented correctly the Council Regulations governing the 1994 and 2000 Schemes of Early Retirement from Farming. The Committee requested information from the European Commission. In reply, the Commission made it clear that in its...

Written Answers — Fur Farms: Fur Farms (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The specific figures sought by the Deputy on the numbers of persons employed on fur farms is not required under legislation and is not collected by my Department.

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The disposal of waste materials generally is covered by the Waste Management Acts 1996 to 2005, which apply to all sectors of society including the agricultural sector, and is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Under the Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, manufacturers and importers of farm plastics — that is, silage bale wrap and...

Written Answers — On-Farm Checks: On-Farm Checks (27 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Insofar as inspections under the Single Payment Scheme are concerned, EU regulations provide that on-farm inspections should be unannounced. However, prior notification may be given where the purpose of the inspection is not jeopardized. Such prior notification must be limited to a maximum 48 hours where land eligibility or cross-compliance on the identification and registration of animals...

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 (28 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The EU Regulations governing the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) stipulate that payment under the scheme can be made only on land parcels declared on the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) and accordingly this requires the land to be declared in an application under the Single Payment Scheme in the first instance. The identification number used for the Single...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (28 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy will be aware the current milk quota arrangements were extended until the end of the 2014/15 milk quota year as part of the 2003 Luxembourg Agreement on the reform of the CAP. While a review will take place in 2008, any further proposals for reform are a matter for the EU Commission, while the Council will make decisions on such proposals. Should the Commission come forward...

Written Answers — Departmental Budget: Departmental Budget (28 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department's Revised Estimate for 2006 is €1,516.9 million (gross). This includes a capital carryover from 2005 of €18.3 million and an Administrative budget carryover of €8.7m. On the basis of expenditure to date, it would appear that almost all of the funds allocated to my department this year will be spent, but that there may be some savings on demand led schemes. My Department...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (28 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application under the Single Payment Scheme on 15 May 2005. The applicant established 33.14 standard entitlements and 1.72 set-aside entitlements having submitted a successful application as a New Entrant. In addition he received 17.49 standard entitlements and 1.59 set-aside entitlements by way of a Private Contract Clause (lease). In accordance with the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, has been examining the position regarding contingent liabilities arising from the closure of the plant at Rooskey, Co. Roscommon. The total amount paid by my Department in the past ten years to the Company was €390,000. Discussions are on-going between Enterprise Ireland and the Company on the possible level of liability arising from...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (28 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 275 together. The Animal Remedies Regulations 2005, which came into effect in November 2005, transposed into Irish legislation EU Directive 2004/28. This Directive includes a general requirement that all medicines for food-producing animals may only be supplied on the basis of a veterinary prescription from 1 January 2007, unless exempted from this...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: There is no record in my Department to show that the person named ever held a quota under the Suckler Cow Premium Scheme.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (28 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Applications to remove land from forestry are examined on a case-by-case basis by the Forest Service of my Department, and are subject to the conditions of the existing schemes and legislation.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The person concerned is ineligible for aid under the Installation Aid Scheme as he was over 35 years of age when set up in farming. Despite the tragic family circumstances force majeure does not apply in this case as it was over a year later when the person concerned received the family farm. The applicant has been advised of his right to appeal the decision concerned to the Agriculture...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Sep 2006)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the 2005 Single Payment Scheme was received in the name of the father of the person named on 9 May 2005. The person named subsequently advised my Department of the death of the applicant. While some documentation was submitted in this regard, it is insufficient to allow payment to the person named. I have now arranged for an official of my Department to make direct...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The person named received his Single Payment in December 2005 but he had also submitted an application for consideration of Force Majeure /Exceptional Circumstances in relation to the establishment of his entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme. He made the application on the grounds that his farming production in the reference years had been adversely affected by his medical condition....

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the 2005 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...