Results 6,961-6,980 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has no record of receiving an application form in respect of the 2007 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme from the person named.

Written Answers — Conflicts of Interest: Conflicts of Interest (21 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: None of my Department's advisers have declared a conflict of interest in the past five years.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (21 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Details of consultancy firms used by my Department in 2007 is set out in the following table. The provision of a service by an external resource, due to lack of internal skills or resources is treated as contracting or outsourcing and is not included in these figures. With regard to State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the use of consultants by these bodies is a matter for the...

Written Answers — Complaints Procedures: Complaints Procedures (21 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The number of complaints received by the Quality Customer Service Unit through the formal Customer Complaints Procedure in 2005, 2006 and to date in 2007 is as follows: Year 2005 10 2006 14 2007 7

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (21 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The details sought by the Deputy in relation to the value of advertising and promotional campaigns carried out by the Department in each year since 2002 is set out as follows: Advertising – 2001 € Advertising (including display/general advertising and Statutory Notices) 1,611,481 Advertising – 2002 € Advertising (including display/general advertising and Statutory Notices)...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (21 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: My Department constantly strives to deliver its services in the most effective and efficient manner. Reviews of structures and work processes in the light of changing business requirements have enabled my Department to reduce staffing levels by over 400 in the last four years. A major review of my Department is currently underway to ensure that its organisational structure meets future...

Written Answers — Farm Improvement Scheme: Farm Improvement Scheme (21 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Applications received under the Farm Improvement Scheme prior to its suspension on 31 October 2007 will be processed by my Department up to the level of funding available for the Scheme.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has no record of receiving an application to transfer entitlements to the first person named for the 2007 Single Payment Scheme year. In order that a Single Payment may issue, a Transfer of Entitlement form together with the necessary legal documentation to facilitate a transfer by way of Inheritance from the second person named to the first person named must be submitted....

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the 2007 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 1 May 2007. During processing of this application, it was found that a land parcel claimed by the person named was also the subject of a scheme application by another applicant. Following correspondence with both parties, it was confirmed by the person named that he was not entitled to claim this land,...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (21 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and operational matters are the responsibility of the company. I have raised this matter with Coillte, who advise me that it is currently considering the sale of some of its property in the townland of Moyode in Galway. I have been advised that no decision has as yet been made and I understand that...

Written Answers — Crop Exports: Crop Exports (21 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: My Department does not have any direct role in determining the location of end use markets for oilseeds. In a single market situation, biofuel feedstocks including oilseed rape, are traded freely within the EU and I do not have the authority to disallow the exportation of oilseed that has been paid the National Energy Crop Premium of €80 per hectare. The €80 payment is intended as an...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (21 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Charter of Rights for Farmers 2005/2007 sets out deadlines within which applications under the various schemes operated by my Department should be processed. A Charter Monitoring Committee involving the farming organisations and officials of my Department under an independent chairman meets on a regular basis to review compliance with the deadlines in the Charter. Details of the...

Written Answers — Student Statistics: Student Statistics (21 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The information sought by the Deputy is currently being prepared and will be forwarded to him as soon as it is available.

Seanad: Seafood Industry: Statements (21 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I am delighted to set out the Government's strategy for the seafood sector. Generating total annual revenues of more than €702 million and providing employment for approximately 11,000 people, the seafood industry is an important indigenous industry. It makes a significant contribution to the national economy in output, employment and exports, and to the economic and social viability of...

Food Safety Standards. (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Conditions for trade in animal products with third countries follow the principles laid down under agreements of the World Trade Organisation and the international organisation for animal health. The European Commission is mandated to negotiate these conditions on behalf of the European Union and, through its Food and Veterinary Office, FVO, monitor the compliance of third countries it has...

Food Safety Standards. (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Since my appointment as Minister a number of years ago I, alone, gave credibility to the IFA report which I forwarded to the Commissioner.

Food Safety Standards. (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy may not want to listen but it is time the truth was told in the House. I sent additional unpublished information, made available to me by the Irish Farmers Journal, to the Commissioner. I followed up the matter on a number of occasions. I met the Commissioner officially at every meeting of the Council, where I have expressed reservations and asked that 25 recommendations made in...

Food Safety Standards. (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: That is not a matter for me, but for the European Commission. The Commissioner is charged with responsibility for the health of people in the European Union. He is the competent authority.

Food Safety Standards. (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: On the basis of the risk assessment carried out by the FVO on behalf of the Commissioner and the Commission, a ban has not been recommended.

Food Safety Standards. (22 Nov 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The FVO made 25 recommendations. I am the only Minister who has given political credence to the report and will continue to do so. The Commissioner will make a determination on the basis of the risk assessment. Although he has stated there are shortcomings, he has not taken that decision. Until such time as the risk assessment advises otherwise, he will not make it. However, I will be...