Results 1,761-1,780 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted two applications under the 2004 special beef premium scheme, in respect of a total of 43 animals, 27 of which were declared as bulls. The first application, in respect of seven animals, six animals for first age premium and one animal for second age premium, was received on 4 November 2004. The second application, in respect of 36 animals, nine animals for first age...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: No compensation is payable by my Department in the circumstances outlined. The Noxious Weeds Act 1936 makes provision for preventing the growth and spread of certain weeds, including ragworth, and that the owner, occupier, user and manager of lands on which those weeds are growing is liable for prosecution and to be fined if convicted.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The person concerned was an applicant under the dairy hygiene scheme and was given approval to proceed with the investment works concerned on 17 January 2002. Following the completion of the works, the eligible investment costs, based on the Department's standard costings, were calculated to be â¬6,307.60 and a 40% grant of â¬2,523.04 paid to the applicant accordingly. The conditions of the...
- Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (24 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: I received the report of the Oireachtas joint committee formally on 7 April. At my request, my officials are considering the recommendations contained in the report having due regard to the terms and conditions both of the early retirement scheme and the European Commission regulations under which both the current and previous schemes were introduced and will report to me as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (24 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: I received the report of the Oireachtas joint committee formally on 7 April. I have asked my officials to consider the recommendations contained in the report, having due regard to the terms and conditions both of the early retirement scheme and the European Commission regulations under which both the current and previous schemes were introduced.
- Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (24 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The possible introduction of a pilot scheme for the allocation of milk quota to farm managers was discussed at the milk quota review group last week. The milk quota review group is a group comprised of representatives of the farm organisations, the processing sector, technical advisers and my Department which advises me on matters relating to the management of Ireland's milk quota. I am...
- Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (24 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: I am seeking a solution to the problem of the special beef premium overshoot and will continue to do so with the European Commissioner. I have already raised the issue with the Commissioner on a number of occasions. My Department has also forwarded a detailed submission to the European Commission dealing with this matter. I am urging that appropriate measures be taken to alleviate the...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: Under the 2004 slaughter premium scheme, eight eligible animals were slaughtered under the herd number of the person named. The 60% advance payment in respect of seven animals issued to the person named on 20 October 2004. The sum payable, â¬336, was reduced by â¬18.28 being an overpayment under the 2003 slaughter premium scheme which fell due to be recouped. The 60% advance payment in...
- Grant Payments. (25 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: Farmers receiving direct aid are required under the single payment scheme to respect the various statutory management requirements set down in EU legislation on the environment, food safety, animal health and welfare, and plant health, and to maintain the farm in good agricultural and environmental condition. Member states are obliged to ensure that there is no significant reduction in the...
- Grant Payments. (25 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: Under cross-compliance the rate of inspections is 1% but overall the inspection rate on animal identification and registration is 5%. We are trying to reduce the number of on-farm inspections to ensure there is only one farm visit and reduce the many difficulties that have arisen. With my officials I have had talks with the farming organisations for a considerable period on cross-compliance....
- Grant Payments. (25 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: ââgiven the headlines people speak about in regard to dreaded inspections and so on. The bottom line is that the farming fraternity has been accustomed to inspections all its life and the majority of farmers have no problem with inspections. That will continue to be the case because they are working under the good farming practice which is almost equivalent to the new requirements. The...
- Grocery Industry. (25 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will be aware that the consumer strategy group in its report, Make Consumers Count, which was published last week, has recommended that the groceries order be revoked in its entirety. Arguments for and against retaining the order are dealt with in detail in the report. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has announced a public consultation process and interested...
- Grocery Industry. (25 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: I am glad to see the spirit on the other side of the House. The Department of Agriculture and Food is acutely aware of the issues surrounding the groceries order and, as I am sure the Deputy knows, many of the complaints of those involved in agriculture relate to products outside the ambit of the groceries order, fresh meat, fruit and vegetables in particular. Those involved in horticulture...
- Grocery Industry. (25 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: In the main those associated with my Department are vehemently opposed to the removal of the groceries order. The farming organisations have not come to a particular decision on the issue and I will be interested to hear their opinions in due course in consultation with the Minister. The Deputy is right in saying that much food goes to the processing industry and many of our food companies...
- Bovine Disease Controls. (25 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: No prosecutions have taken place as a result of the feeding of meat and bonemeal to cattle since the introduction of the ban. No evidence has been uncovered which would support a prosecution in any case. I am satisfied, however, that the ban is being enforced, given that the incidence of the disease in the national herd is rapidly declining and that the vast majority of cases have occurred in...
- Bovine Disease Controls. (25 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The question referred to the feeding of meat and bonemeal. There has been no evidence of that being an issue in any of the BSE cases. Prosecutions have taken place and are pending regarding other issues relating to BSE, but not for the feeding of meat and bonemeal, since that has not happened. Regarding the sporadic occurrences in animals born after the introduction of the ban, they are of...
- Grant Payments. (25 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: Ireland was the first member state to opt for full decoupling of direct payments when, in October 2003, it was decided to introduce the single payment scheme with effect from 1 January 2005, the earliest date that the new regime could be implemented. The overshoot issue arises from transition from the animal-based to the decoupled system. Each member state has a regional beef ceiling for...
- Grant Payments. (25 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: The Deputy has described the issue regarding the Irish Farmers Journal incorrectly, since the Commissioner was asked about the question before I had approached her â interviews often take place before conversations. Second, she was not here, and that interview took place in Brussels. I have met the Commissioner three times on the issue and departmental officials have met at secretary...
- Grant Payments. (25 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: In Europe, it takes quite a while to have everything evaluated. Initially, the issue goes to the DG and its officials are also involved. I advised the Commissioner on the political ramifications of this issue. She has been in consultation with her own officials to look at this issue. I will speak to her again next Monday and I will impress upon her the necessity of a favourable decision on...
- Legal Settlement. (25 May 2005)
Mary Coughlan: There are insinuations from the other side of the House which are completely inappropriate, as well as scaremongering by members of the Fine Gael Party. I read an article written in a Drogheda based newspaper which was scurrilous and factually incorrect. Decisions must be made to proceed in some cases. As there was a third party involved in this case, it was not a direct case between my...