Results 121-140 of 527 for speaker:Mary Wallace
- Genetically Modified Organisms. (8 Mar 2007)
Mary Wallace: However, this would necessitate everyone moving forward voluntarily rather than the imposition of a ban. We cannot impose a ban because we operate under EU law. Moreover, regardless of whether one wants to, one must bear in mind the increased costs to the Irish animal production sector that would arise following the imposition of a ban on the importation of GM foods. In addition to the...
- Public Transport. (27 Jun 2007)
Mary Wallace: I congratulate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on his appointment and wish him every success. In September 2006, Exchequer funding of â¬30 million was announced towards the cost of 100 additional buses for Dublin Bus. Dublin Bus took delivery of these buses in 2006. These additional buses enable Dublin Bus to expand the number and frequency of services throughout its network to the benefit of...
- Noxious Weed Control. (3 Oct 2007)
Mary Wallace: My Department has conducted public awareness campaigns for the control of noxious weeds in 2006 and in the spring and summer of this year. The campaigns were directed at landowners and users of land â mainly farmers, local authorities and developers. Campaigns consisted of the circulation of posters for display in all Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Teagasc and local...
- Noxious Weed Control. (3 Oct 2007)
Mary Wallace: The National Roads Authority is considering the provision of a dedicated financial allocation to local authorities to address the control of noxious weeds on approximately 5,500 km of national roads. During the summer I saw farmers in County Galway and council workers on the Dundalk bypass hand-pulling ragwort. This was a waste of time, because the weed can be sprayed in the early spring or...
- Noxious Weed Control. (3 Oct 2007)
Mary Wallace: Council workers could then do other work during the summer months.
- Noxious Weed Control. (3 Oct 2007)
Mary Wallace: Deputy Upton is correct. There are three reasons for dealing with noxious weeds. First, we have designated ragwort as a noxious weed because it is poisonous to animals when grazed or consumed in hay or silage; second, other noxious weeds, such as thistle and dock in grassland and wild oat in cereals, affect crop growth and consequently crop yield; third, if noxious weeds are not controlled...
- Pig Industry. (10 Oct 2007)
Mary Wallace: We fully appreciate this is a difficult time for pig producers. The sector has enjoyed a period of relative stability in recent years and Irish producers have shown themselves to be exceptionally efficient with the result that a reasonable income has been achievable from pig farming. There is, however, no doubt that the sector currently faces a major challenge with the risk that some...
- Agrifood Industry: Motion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)
Mary Wallace: I am delighted to have this opportunity to address the House on the amended motion tabled by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on behalf of the Government. This Government has taken a proactive approach to the development of the agrifood sector, in line with its Agri Vision 2015 plan. The report sets out a vision identifying the delivery of safe, high-quality, nutritious food,...
- Agrifood Industry: Motion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)
Mary Wallace: There is no doubt that the industry faces many challenges in an increasingly competitive market. The story is to sell our beef and we can speak negatively or we can go down the road of promoting the quality of beef, which we see as the way forward for the industry. The measures I referred to demonstrate clearly the Government's commitment to the development of the agrifood industry. The...
- Agrifood Industry: Motion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)
Mary Wallace: That is not what is involved at all.
- Agrifood Industry: Motion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)
Mary Wallace: Deputy Creed is wrong about this matter.
- Agrifood Industry: Motion (Resumed) (24 Oct 2007)
Mary Wallace: The Deputy is trying to scaremonger.
- Air Services. (7 Nov 2007)
Mary Wallace: The Minister for Transport fully recognises that connectivity to both Shannon Airport and the west of Ireland is a key concern. Ireland's existing air services public service obligation, PSO, scheme is focused on subvention of services from Dublin to Kerry, Galway, Knock, Sligo, Donegal and Derry. These PSO routes serve regional airports which, because of their remote locations and-or...
- Grant Payments. (7 Nov 2007)
Mary Wallace: I could be wrong but I do not think Deputy Sheehan's friend needs planning permission to replace his milk tank.
- Grant Payments. (7 Nov 2007)
Mary Wallace: The Deputy is speaking about replacing a milk tank.
- Grant Payments. (7 Nov 2007)
Mary Wallace: Many developments, including replacing milk tanks, do not require planning permission. I am glad of this opportunity to set out the position regarding the recent suspension of the farm improvement scheme. The scheme was launched by the Department in July 2007 following the receipt of EU approval for Ireland's rural development programme 2007-13. The scheme provides grant aid up to a maximum...
- Beef Imports. (8 Nov 2007)
Mary Wallace: On the origin of beef sold in hotels and restaurants, customers are entitled to ask why country of origin information is not on the menu. If more consumers asked that question, the situation would improve. We all need to play our part in that regard. The conditions for trade in animal products with third countries follow the principles established under agreements of the World Trade...
- Schools Building Projects. (8 Nov 2007)
Mary Wallace: I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and to outline the position regarding Gaelscoil Bharra. Modernising facilities in our 3,200 primary and 750 post primary schools is not an easy task given the legacy of decades of under-investment in this area as well as the need to...
- Job Losses. (27 Nov 2007)
Mary Wallace: The Kerry Group has indicated that it will shortly cut 50 jobs at its Henry Denny plant in Tralee. The Kerry Group took over the Denny plant in 1982. It ceased slaughtering pigs in the early 1990s and since then it has engaged in meat processing. I understand from the company that the reason for this move is that demand for the type of primary cuts that were traditionally manufactured at...
- Schools Building Projects. (27 Nov 2007)
Mary Wallace: I thank Deputy Lynch for raising this matter and giving me an opportunity to outline the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and to clarify the position regarding the provision of a new school at Ballintemple national school on Crab Lane in Cork city. The modernisation of facilities in our 3,200 primary and 750 post-primary schools is not an easy task given the...