Results 7,821-7,840 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- WTO Negotiations. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: It is very simplistic of the Deputy to ask this question. I will only agree that we have had good discussions on this matter in the House. Every Member, whether involved in agriculture or otherwise, believes the outcome of the WTO negotiations is important. I believe a balance is the most important outcome that I must attain for Irish agriculture and the agrifood sector. We are not yet at...
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The series of measures I announced last May in support of the sheep sector constituted my response to the report of the sheep strategy development group, known as the Malone report. Together, the measures form a comprehensive package that recognises the importance of the sheep sector and addresses the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Good progress is being made in implementing...
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: "Yes" to what and "No" to what?
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The Deputy asked five questions so I will take the opportunity to reply to them.
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: On the scarcity of lamb, and not to be overly facetious, the Deputy is well aware that Easter was celebrated early this year.
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The Deputy's hip is obviously still annoying him.
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: However, that will not happen for another 40 years and Deputy Creed and I will not be too concerned about it. We are returning to the position prior to the ewe premium stage. The Deputy is correct. There has been a considerable reduction in the number of sheep in the country. It was on that basis we came together to consider the proposals we could implement and it was from there the Malone...
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: That is exactly the issue. The Commissioner stated that we could consider modulation or that we could examine another formula under which money would be taken from one set of farmers in order to pay another set. The French do this but they have the option of transferring money from large cereal farmers into the sheep sector. I would be obliged to take money from beef producers and I am...
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The Deputy is aware that we have serious concerns, with which he is in sympathy, regarding compulsory modulation. We are awaiting the outcome of a number of matters. We increased the REP scheme by 17%, which is considerable. I am not stating it is particularly easy and we must consider a multifaceted approach. The bottom line is that the consumption of sheepmeat in Europe has decreased...
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: There are also consumer and price issues of which we must be cognisant. We will deal with all these issues.
- Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: What Deputy Creed stated is completely untrue.
- Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I previously answered a parliamentary question from the Deputyââ
- Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The one thing the Deputies should learn is that they will not be over here for a while.
- Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Only if the person concerned is completing REPS 2 this year. In that case, one just ticks a box.
- Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Everyone else just ticks a box. If one is new, one must have a plan.
- Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Five thousand people are already in the scheme.
- Fertiliser Costs. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Not a bad one. Does the Deputy have a shovel?
- Common Agricultural Policy. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: That has not been decided yet.
- Written Answers — Import Tariffs: Import Tariffs (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The level of tariff reduction commitments to be applied in the next WTO Round are still the subject of the ongoing negotiations. These tariff reduction commitments are only one of a significant number of outstanding issues in these negotiations. The Chair of the WTO Agriculture Committee issued his latest draft agriculture modalities paper in February 2008. This paper outlines the...
- Written Answers — Farm Improvement Scheme: Farm Improvement Scheme (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: 12,675 applications were received by my Department under the Farm Improvement Scheme prior to its suspension on 31 October 2007. A county-by-county breakdown of these applications is as follows:â County Number of Applications Carlow 176 Cavan 675 Clare 510 Cork 1,863 Donegal 931 Dublin 29 Galway 850 Kerry 875 Kildare 133 Kilkenny 519 Laois 336 Leitrim 375 Limerick 368...