Results 481-500 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (12 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: The valuation was carried out on 25 June 2004 in accordance with the terms and conditions of the on-farm market valuation scheme for animals removed under the TB and brucellosis eradication schemes. The arrangements for this scheme require that, where female breeding stock are valued, the valuer provides two market valuations for the animals concerned based on the animal being in-calf and not...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (12 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: The late husband of the person named opted for voluntary early retirement at the time of the abolition of the Dublin District Milk Board in 1994. He was given the opportunity of joining the spouses and children pension scheme but elected not to do so. Unfortunately, the person named does not have an entitlement to a spouse's pension.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: The provisional entitlements of the person named under the single payment scheme have not yet been finalised. In previous years, applicants who had less than 15 livestock units were not obliged to submit an area aid application. As the person named did not submit an area aid application for the single payment scheme reference years 2000-02, no provisional entitlements could be calculated on...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: The Senator is proposing to insert a definition of "Land Purchase Acts" using a definition contained in the Land Law (Commission) Act 1923, which refers to a definition in the Irish Land Act 1909. As I am sure the Senator is aware, this Government is part of the regulatory reform process. It is committed to removing the elements of pre-1922 legislation from the Statute Book. It is premature...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: According to the legal advice available to me, there is no necessity for this amendment when we are removing pre-1922 legislation from the Statute Book. There is definition and cross-referencing in the legislation and, therefore, the amendment is not necessary.

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: I have been advised that the amendment is unnecessary as it is Land Registry practice when cancelling a land purchase annuity on a folio to automatically cancel any previous entries in that category. As a professional, the Senator must be acutely aware of that.

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: I am concerned at the confusion in the House on the need for a clear title and in some cases to take out grants of administration. My Department does not require clear title for redemption of an annuity. Those annuitants, however, who need to raise finance to avail of the offer may need to show clear title in order to obtain a loan. These people need to ensure their title is now in order. In...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: The Senator is absolutely right. It was of grave concern to me that a few farmers had very large arrears and considerable land holdings too, although I doubt the Senator is speaking of them. There are 15 annuitants with arrears in excess of €20,000 and a further 34 with arrears between €10,000 and €20,000. In total, 49 cases owe €1 million. That is a considerable sum of money. We have...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: We have considered this matter on the basis of the issues raised on Second Stage and would like to bring the matter to finality. All Members of both Houses would agree that we have moved on. The Land Commission has been gone for more than 20 years. We want landowners to be landowners, which is the best way to deal with the issue. It is on this basis that we are trying to impress on people the...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: I am enamoured with the Senator's view.

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: I am too nice for that. Just in case there is any misunderstanding, I have been advised that in hardship cases, rescheduling can be provided for repayments. My Department is the competent authority for purposes of EU funding. As many of the payments to farmers have been partially funded by the Exchequer and co-funded by the EU, the advice of the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel is that the...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: This procedure will only be used as the last resort. We have taken the opportunity over many years to deal with these issues, which were unsatisfactory, and we certainly would not do this in a haphazard way. Consultation would have to take place with the relevant landowner and farmer. We hope never to have to go down that road. However, it is a legal provision that can be invoked if necessary.

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: I am glad the Senator has clarified the background to this amendment. As the Senator knows, the insertion of the word "recoverable" could be construed to mean all payments, future and past, which would have a legal implication and might not be sound. I do not propose to issue a certificate as outlined in section 5 of the Bill unless all arrears of annuities are paid up to date. However, in...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: I intend that the date of the instrument affecting the property transaction shall not be more than four months after the date of the certificate. I believe the wording from the Parliamentary Counsel is clear and concise. I am happy with the legislation as it stands.

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: The word "practicable" is open to interpretation. It is my firm intention to issue certificates without delay. I am sure the Senator will be aware that the numbers requiring such certificates will be very small as this only refers to those who have an ongoing annuity of more than €200 per annum. At present only 2,300 such persons exist and this number should be considerably reduced after...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: I am advised that if we did not issue a certificate or delayed a certificate, to which a person is legally entitled, the farmer would have recourse to a judicial review. Bearing in mind the numbers, I believe this will not present a problem. While the practicalities of it could be implored and impressed upon the Minister if a problem exists, I do not anticipate such a problem.

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: I appreciate the Senator's intention to impress on the Minister an obligation to do something. It is the firm view of the Department that it would like to deal with this issue as quickly as possible. My officials and I will discuss the best way to transmit the message in the context of an information campaign. I agree that legislation can be confusing, especially for those who are not...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: Section 5 requires those who are registering a land transaction, as defined in this section, to furnish beforehand a clearance certificate to the Land Registry to confirm that no arrears of annuities are due to the Department. Clearance certificates will be issued by my Department. Under section 5(2), as currently drafted, the Land Registry does not require that a certificate of clearance in...

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: There would be no capital——

Seanad: Land Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Oct 2004)

Mary Coughlan: I assure the Senator that it will not be a problem where no capital is involved. We are not tying people up. I simply gave an example of how this section might manifest itself. Those mentioned by the Senator, such as nephews or grandsons, will be covered under section 5.