Results 981-1,000 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Transport of Animals: Transport of Animals (1 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The regulation to which the Deputy refers is Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations. Most of the requirements in this regulation will not come into effect until 5 January 2007, with a small number of provisions only having effect from 1 January 2008 and 1 January 2009. The regulation will apply to the transport of live animals,...

Written Answers — Fur Farming: Fur Farming (1 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Under the Musk Rats Act 1933 (Application to Mink) Order 1965 the keeping of mink is prohibited except under licence from my Department. Licences are issued under this legislation only if the applicant, following an inspection carried out by officials from my Department, is found to be compliant with a number of key conditions. There are currently six enterprises licensed by my Department to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted two applications under the 2004 EU special beef premium scheme, one dated 17 August 2004, in respect of four animals and one dated 20 December 2004, in respect of seven animals. Following computer validation it was found that one of the four animals applied for on 17 August 2004 was slaughtered on 13 October 2004, inside the regulatory two-month retention period....

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The current afforestation scheme provides generous grants and premiums for the growing of ash trees. All planting costs are met by way of generous grants from my Department, of up to €4,951.98 per hectare. A premium of up to €467.26 per hectare is paid every year thereafter, for 20 years in the case of farmers and 15 years for others. This package of assistance, in addition to the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person in question will be given an opportunity to avail of the special buy-out offer proposed in the Land Bill 2004. All annuitants will be notified of the details of the scheme when the legislation is enacted.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: My Department's records indicate that the person named has 44.35 entitlements with a total net value of €3532.92. However, as the person named is now deceased, the circumstances of the case appear relevant to the inheritance measure of the single payment scheme. Therefore the executor or other representative of the person named should submit a completed inheritance application form to...

Written Answers — Veterinary Laboratory: Veterinary Laboratory (1 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Under the decentralisation programme a single laboratory complex will be located in Macroom to cater for the Munster region. My Department is liaising with the OPW on the acquisition of a suitable site for the new laboratory complex in Macroom. The regional veterinary laboratory at Knockalisheen is located on land owned by the Office of Public Works.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The persons named have submitted an application for consideration under the new entrant measure of the single payment scheme. However, following an initial examination of this application, it was deemed that the circumstances were more relevant to the inheritance measure, as the lands were transferred by way of gift in 2002. The persons named have subsequently been requested to forward a copy...

Written Answers — Sugar Beet Industry: Sugar Beet Industry (1 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: As Minister I hold a special share in Greencore plc. That share has the same monetary value as any other share in the company but special conditions are attached which prevent the company from engaging in a number of activities without the prior written consent of the Minister. One of the activities for which prior written consent is required is the disposal of more than 20% of specified...

EU Directives. (2 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Ireland submitted an action programme for further implementation of the directive to the European Commission on 22 October 2004. The Commission conveyed its view, by way of a letter of formal notice under Article 228 of the European Union Treaty...

EU Directives. (2 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Brosnan proposals which were agreed by all of the stakeholders have not been accepted by the Commission. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and his officials, in addition to my officials, went to Brussels where we had discussions with the Commission on the basis of the Brosnan proposals. However the Commission is still adamant that it will not accept the...

EU Directives. (2 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy is factually incorrect, as always. He has pre-empted one issue which he considers to be more important than another. The nitrates directive is not within my ambit; it is within the ambit of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. That said, I am acutely aware, as are my colleagues, of the implications of the nitrates action plan. Perhaps we should have...

EU Directives. (2 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I am being realistic on the basis that an agreement has been implemented in Northern Ireland, and due to the necessity of agreeing an action plan and the financial and other implications of it for the country. Moreover, the farming fraternity is acutely aware of the issues that have arisen. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government went to Europe on the basis of the...

EU Directives. (2 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Consultations are currently ongoing with the European Commission in regard to the action programme for implementation of the nitrates directive in Ireland. The question of possible changes to the levels of grant aid currently payable under the farm waste management scheme will be decided in light of the requirements of the action programme when agreed.

EU Directives. (2 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: This year I provided €30 million for the scheme. Naturally, applications are slow in the context of the changes that arise from the nitrates directive. Under Sustaining Progress, we increased grant aid from 20% to 40%, which is substantial. We carried out an audit under Teagasc of what is available in the country at present. Under any agreement that is reached there will be a financial...

EU Directives. (2 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I am acutely aware of the repercussions of the nitrates directive. A considerable amount of investment has already been made by farmers. We do not build slurry pits every few years; they last for a considerable period of time. The considerable investment farmers have made over the years has been grant aided by this Government. The Deputy has 20:20 vision with hindsight. As I recall it, the...

EU Directives. (2 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I have met Teagasc and it has almost finalised its views on those issues. Ultimately, the cheaper options might not be the best. In my constituency, people vehemently oppose the provision of such facilities as they are inadequate for the climate. There are also safety issues. However, if they are dealt with in the proper fashion, they might provide an opportunity for some farmers in certain...

EU Directives. (2 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Perhaps the Deputy would let the IFA know, when its representatives are roaring at me, that it is the same in his constituency.

Disposal of Animal By-product. (2 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Council Regulation (EC) 1774/2002 sets out the provisions relating to the disposal of all animal by-products including the digestate produced through anaerobic digestion in approved biogas plants. Under this regulation digestate, which may include animal by-products from such plants, may not be spread on pastureland. In addition, however, Ireland has adopted national controls to counteract...

Disposal of Animal By-product. (2 Mar 2005)

Mary Coughlan: This also arises in the context of the directive under discussion. One of the concerns that has been brought to our attention by pig and poultry and producers, for example, is that they will not have adequate lands available to spread slurry. Therefore, on that basis, the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, and the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey,...