Results 8,021-8,040 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (1 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: A sum of €79 million was provided under the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016, for the operation of the Farm Improvement Scheme. Of this amount, €15 million has been allocated to the Scheme in the 2008 Estimates. €14,425 was spent under the Scheme in 2007 whilst, to date, in 2008, €705,183 has been paid out in grants under the Scheme. It is not possible to provide a...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I understand that the forestry plantation has been inspected and that remedial works are required to bring the site up to the accepted standard. My officials have written to the applicant concerned in recent days to request that the improvements be made.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (1 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The special agri-environmental arrangements in the Owenduff/Nephin Beg Special Area of Conservation arise from a judgment of the European Court of Justice in 2002 and are a matter in the first instance for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In November 2006, that Department, in consultation with my Department and local landowners, introduced these measures...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I understand that the application concerned was lodged with my Department in October last year. I regret that this case has not so far been decided upon. I have instructed that it be considered as a matter of urgency and a response be issued as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (1 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Company referred to by the Deputy is currently in possession of a 35 year lease which was granted in 1999 in respect of an area of reclaimed foreshore. The company has applied to purchase the freehold of the area currently held under lease. Such sales are usually made only in exceptional circumstances having regard to the public interest. The application is currently receiving detailed...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (1 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I would refer the Deputy to the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1234/2007 of 22 October, 2007 (O.J. L299/1; 16.11.2007) with particular reference to Article 74 on "transfers of reference quantities (milk quotas) together with land". I would also refer him to the provisions of the European Communities (Milk Quota) Regulations, 2000 (S.I. No. 94 of 2000), as amended, with particular...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (1 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Parliamentary Questions Nos. 123 and 124 together. The criminal investigation referred to was carried out by the Gardaí in 2000 into certain actions of a former employee of the company. The criminal prosecution in this matter was brought by the DPP on indictment. In view of this, officials of my Department did not have responsibility for the prosecution and it would be...

Written Answers — Circus Animals: Circus Animals (1 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table. The names of the circuses involved have been withheld due to the commercial nature of the information sought. Circus Animals Imported in 2007 Date Number and Species Origin* 29/01/2007 3 African Elephants Germany 06/03/2007 3 African Elephants Germany 06/03/2007 1 Indian Elephant Germany 07/03/2007 2 Elephants...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (1 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Terms and Conditions of the Early Retirement Scheme (ERS 3) 2007 are available from my Department's offices in Johnstown Castle, Wexford or from any of the local AES Offices. They may also be accessed on the Department's website. In a situation where a husband has transferred the landholding to his wife, she may apply for the Scheme provided she is between her 55th and 66th birthday and...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The person named completed his REPS 2 contract on 31 December 2007 and has received all the payments due to him. My Department has no record of an application from him to rejoin REPS.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion. (7 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Ar dtús báire, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le gach éinne as ucht an tacaíochta a thug siad dom go pearsanta. Is mór an phribhléid agus onóir dom é gur mise an chéad Tánaiste as Dún na nGall, an chontae ina bhfuil mé i mo chónaí. Go mórmhór, ba mhaith liom ómós a thabhairt don Taoiseach as ucht an Rialtais atá roghnaithe aige anocht agus a bheidh tofa i gceann...

Order of Business (8 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: It is proposed to take No. 10, motion re proposed approval for council framework decision on the organisation and content of the exchange of information extracted from criminal records between member states; and No. 3, Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad] — Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 10 shall be decided without debate and shall be taken...

Order of Business (8 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: As Deputy Kenny is aware, the Morris tribunal is a matter of utmost gravity. It deserves due consideration. There was a statutory framework within which the former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform worked as he indicated publicly today. It was a very short timeframe. On the basis of that short timeframe, the Garda Commissioner wished to prepare his response. It was on that...

Order of Business (8 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: That all depends on what time we finish here today and then we can order our business. On the other matters, we hope to have both Bills available this session. We are aware of the health Bill on long-term care which is very important. It is the Minister's anxiety that this is introduced as quickly as possible this session.

Order of Business (8 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Yes, it will be before the summer recess.

Order of Business (8 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: We will also need to decide the recess.

Order of Business (8 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: On the issue of the Morris tribunal, I believe all in this House agree this is a matter of grave concern. Once they receive a report people must be afforded an opportunity to analyse it and revert to it. It was on this basis that the former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform indicated publicly the Garda Commissioner wished that opportunity to be afforded to him. Two further...

Order of Business (8 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Both these reports are being made available in a matter of weeks. If the Deputies opposite do not wish to agree, that will be a matter for consideration with the Whips. It would give a wrong signal that anyone on this side of the House or indeed anyone within the House would not take on board the severity and outcomes of this report. These are now public documents that are laid before the...

Order of Business (8 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Taoiseach and I, along with all members of the Government, have the highest regard for this House and the discussions that take place. The Taoiseach indicated yesterday afternoon, when it came to the timing of the debate, that it was to be between 6 p.m. and 8.15 p.m. and that was to be the order of the House. He indicated that the 15 minutes lost was provided, giving due regard to the...

Order of Business (8 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I am advised that it will be a matter of a number of weeks and we will communicate with Deputy Gilmore personally on the issue.