Results 5,281-5,300 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

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

Mary Coughlan: My Department has received almost 23,000 applications under the Farm Waste Management Scheme since its introduction in February 2001. The scheme will close for new applications at the end of this year. The capital investment involved is estimated at over €500 million.

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

Mary Coughlan: Two officials from my Department attended the Conference on Community Animal Health Policy Strategy (CAHP) hosted by the Finnish Presidency held in Brussels on 7 November 2006. The conference was set against the backdrop of the development of a new EU animal health strategy and in the context of an ongoing external evaluation of the EU's existing animal health policy aimed at strengthening...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The removal of mould from cheese is not an activity for which a food business establishment requires specific approval. The purpose of the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2005, (S. I. No. 910 of 2005) under which milk processing establishments are approved by my Department, is to ensure that all food for human consumption is handled in a safe and hygienic manner at...

Written Answers — Social Partnership Agreements: Social Partnership Agreements (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: One of the key features of the agriculture chapter of Towards 2016 has been the Government's willingness to provide a major increase in funding for agriculture from exchequer resources. This has not only made up for the inevitable decline in EU funding due to our economic success as a country, but has also provided the finance for the very significant enhancement of some major schemes which...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department's Agri Vision 2015 Plan of Action and the National "Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-2013", which were launched this year, identify the necessary actions to build a knowledge-based, competitive, innovative and consumer focussed agri-food sector. Investment in Research and Development is at the forefront of these strategy documents and funding in this area...

Written Answers — Sugar Beet Sector: Sugar Beet Sector (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 111 together. I presume that the Deputy is referring to the recent announcement by Greencore Group plc of plans for a major development project at Carlow. I have no comment to make on that announcement. When Siúicre Eireann cpt was privatized in 1991, the assets were transferred to Greencore. Sugar production has now ceased in Ireland. There is no...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Wood biomass is one of the most versatile of renewable energy sources and has the potential to play a major role in Ireland's future energy strategy. Wood energy, in the form of logs, chip and pellet, is renewable, carbon neutral, sustainable and can be produced locally. Solid biomass, mainly in the form of solid wood, is already the largest source of renewable energy in Ireland, accounting...

Written Answers — Farmers' Markets: Farmers' Markets (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Direct routes to market, in particular Farmers markets, are a growing and pioneering route to market for farmers, domestic and small food producers in Ireland. They collectively make a major contribution to the local economy encouraging local produce, assisting start-ups of new businesses and maintaining local employment. The growth of these markets also reflects changing consumer...

Written Answers — Social Partnership Agreements: Social Partnership Agreements (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: One of the key features of the agriculture chapter of Towards 2016 has been the Government's willingness to provide a major increase in funding for agriculture from exchequer resources. This has not only made up for the inevitable decline in EU funding due to our economic success as a country, but has also provided the finance for the very significant enhancement of some major schemes which...

Written Answers — Tuberculosis Incidence: Tuberculosis Incidence (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The overall national strategy for the eradication of TB provides for a comprehensive range of measures, including the mandatory annual testing for all cattle in the national herd, the early removal of reactors, a wildlife programme involving the targeted removal of badgers where they are implicated in a TB outbreak, the use of the gamma interferon test, as an adjunct to the tuberculin test,...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Ireland's National Residue Monitoring Plan was formally approved by the European Commission on 3 November 2006, having completed the necessary Commission decision-making processes. My Department will arrange to have a copy of the plan forwarded to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Farm Household Incomes: Farm Household Incomes (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: While the price of milk is obviously a key determinant of dairy farmers incomes, other elements impacting on farmers' incomes include direct payments, scale and efficiency and returns from the market. This year's milk price, taken together with the single payment entitlement of 3.6 cent per litre is similar to recent years though clearly there is greater pressure now on producer prices than...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: While I have no direct knowledge of this development, it is my understanding from media reports that the company in question plans to build a combined heat and power plant in Scotland to produce electricity and wood pellets for commercial use. The question of providing Exchequer funding for similar bioenergy projects in Ireland is a matter for the Minister for Communications, Marine and...

Written Answers — Animal Exports: Animal Exports (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: A total of 2836 dogs, certified for export between March 2004 and October 2006, were exported to France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Spain and Sweden. The significant exports during that period were 2,302 dogs to France, 431 dogs to Spain and 86 dogs to Italy. Furthermore 9 dogs were exported to Germany and 6 dogs were exported to Portugal while one dog was exported to both Poland and...

Written Answers — Rural Development: Rural Development (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Rural Development programme will assist market orientation and sustainability in its support for competitiveness and the enhancement of the environment. The on-farm investment measure, in particular, will provide support for general farm improvement and the horticulture and organic sectors. Direct support for organic farming is also proposed under the environmental objective. Ireland...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I have provided sufficient funds in the 2007 Estimates to encourage a renewed planting effort, intended in the first instance to restore annual afforestation rates to at least 10,000 hectares. We should not underestimate the challenge which lies before us in this regard and the draft Rural Development Programme for the 2007-2013 period takes this into account, incorporating several new and...

Written Answers — Land Mobility: Land Mobility (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: There has been some improvement in farm structures in recent years, however, low levels of land mobility can be obstacles for those who wish to enter farming or expand the size of their holdings. The volume of agricultural land being offered for sale is at historically low levels, while land prices have risen dramatically. However, land leasing is now much more common than in the past....

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I announced a Dairy Investment Processing Fund earlier this year. The Fund, amounting to €100 million of Government grant assistance will generate total Capital investment of €300 million over three years. The objective of the Fund is to support Capital Investment related to the processing of Annex 1 dairy products. My main motivation in launching the Fund was in recognition of the...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (29 Nov 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I am supportive of initiatives to promote food on all-island basis where this is of mutual benefit and leads to closer economic co-operation. The development of an all-island animal health policy is a necessary prerequisite to the establishment of an all-island food label. The development of the animal health policy is being actively pursued in the context of North/South cooperation. In...

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

Mary Coughlan: Officials in my Department carry out inspections on consignments of cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, donkeys, cats and dogs exported from Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, Dublin Port, Dún Laoghaire Port and Rosslare Port. In 2005 a total of 3,863 inspections were carried out on animal consignments exported from Irish ports and airports while a further 3,648 inspections have taken place in 2006...