Results 1,901-1,920 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: My Department operates a number of schemes which are aimed at developing viable full-time farming. Under the installation aid scheme which is operated by my Department, a grant of €9,523 is available to farmers under the age of 35 who are set up for the first time in farming and who meet the education and income criteria set out in the scheme. Preliminary applications, IAS 1 forms, must be...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (31 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 of the early retirement scheme and of the European Commission regulations under which the current and previous schemes were introduced.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Some 142,000 applications for the single payment scheme were received by my Department by the closing date of 16 May 2005. While processing of the applications has commenced, it is not possible at this early stage to detail the position of any individual case.

Written Answers — Live Exports: Live Exports (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together. Trade in sheep between member states of the European Union is subject to the provisions of, inter alia, Council Directive 2003/50/EC, which amends Council Directive 91/68/EEC as regards reinforced controls on the movement of sheep and goats. These controls, which were introduced in the aftermath of the foot and mouth disease outbreak in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application on 9 May 2005 for consideration of his circumstances under the second tranche of the force majeure-exceptional circumstances measure of the single payment scheme. Ill health of his new born son was cited on the application form as giving rise to the circumstances outlined. However, having examined the medical evidence furnished in support of the...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The control of avian influenza is governed by EU legislation. Council Directive 92/40/EEC requires that all suspected cases of avian influenza must be investigated and appropriate measures taken in case of confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI. To limit the spread, infected poultry must be killed in a humane way and disposed of safely. Feeding stuffs, contaminated equipment...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (31 May 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. In keeping with the commitment given in the Sustaining Progress agreement, Ireland has already submitted proposals to the European Commission for a derogation from the general limits laid down in the nitrates directive which would allow farmers to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: As the person named did not lodge applications under the relevant livestock and arable schemes during the reference years 2000, 2001, 2002, no entitlements under the single payment scheme were established. Some 142,000 applications for the single payment scheme were received by my Department by the closing date of 16 May 2005. While processing of applications has commenced, it is not possible...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The position is that the case made by Ireland to the European Commission last November for reclassifying all the less severely handicapped townlands of County Monaghan to more severely handicapped status has been cleared through the approval process in Brussels. This means that under the disadvantaged areas scheme for 2005 and onwards, all forage land designated as lowland in County Monaghan...

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

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 200 together. As the Deputy is aware, I am seeking a solution to the difficulties for Irish farmers as a result of the overshoot of the 2004 special beef premium scheme quota. I have raised the issue with the Agriculture Commissioner and her officials on a number of occasions during recent meetings. My Department forwarded a detailed submission to the...

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (1 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: There are no commissioned reports awaiting publication in my Department. Internally generated reports awaiting publication include the statement of strategy 2005-07, annual review and outlook 2004-05, and the CMMS statistics report 2004. There are a number of reports, at various stages of preparation, which will require endorsement-approval at departmental, ministerial and Government levels,...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (1 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The following table shows the numbers of farmers and amounts paid on a county basis under the 2004 disadvantaged areas scheme.

Written Answers — On-Farm Checks: On-Farm Checks (1 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: EU regulations provide that on-the-spot checks which involve eligibility checks and identification and registration of animals checks shall be unannounced. However, provided the purpose of the control is not jeopardised, advance notice may be given, strictly limited to the minimum period necessary. Such notice shall, except in duly justified cases, not exceed 48 hours. Where cross-compliance...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The forest service of my Department wrote to the person in question on 17 May 2005 requesting documentation with regard to eligibility for the farmer rate of forestry premium. Payment of the premium will be made on receipt of this documentation. If the person in question is unable to furnish the required documentation, payment of the premium at the non-farmer rate will be made.

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (2 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together. Under the Noxious Weeds Act 1936, it is an offence not to prevent the spread of certain weeds, including ragwort and the owner, occupier, user or manager of lands on which ragwort is growing is liable, on conviction, to be fined. Ragwort is a highly poisonous plant as the alkaloids it contains can cause serious damage to the liver of farm...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: No commissions, inquiries or tribunals were commenced by my Department from 1995 to 31 December 2004.

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (2 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The issues here relate to the forestry elements contained in the draft Rural Development Regulation 2007-2013, first published by the European Commission in July 2004 and which is the subject of ongoing negotiations in the Council of Ministers. Throughout the negotiations so far, the Irish position on the draft regulation in general, including the specific aspects related to forestry has been...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The area aid unit wrote to the person named with regard to problems that arose while processing his 2004 area aid application. The Department sought maps and evidence to entitlement to commonage areas being claimed on his area aid application. There has been no reply from the person named to date. On receipt of a reply from the person named, the area aid unit will process his 2004 area aid...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I am fully aware of the impact that the overshoot reduction will have on beef farmers who claimed on more than 25 animals. The decision to opt for full decoupling was arrived at following careful consideration of all options and following a widespread public consultation process. A very persuasive factor in this process was the suggestion that farmers in those member states which fully...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: An application for consideration under the force majeure-exceptional circumstances measure of the single payment regulations was submitted by the person named on 17 February 2004. Following consideration by my Department and the independent single payment appeals committee of the circumstances outlined, including additional information submitted, my Department is satisfied that force majeure...