Results 8,041-8,060 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (30 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: This is a matter for the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), an independent authority, which was established under Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 on January 1st 2007. The Act clearly provides that the Authority is independent in the exercise of its functions and as such I have no remit as to its work programme or its strategic deployment of resources.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (30 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: This is a matter for the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), an independent authority, which was established under Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 on January 1st 2007. The Act clearly provides that the Authority is independent in the exercise of its functions and as such I have no remit as to its work programme or its strategic deployment of resources.

Written Answers — Third Level Education: Third Level Education (30 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The training provided by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) is for the delivery of further education and statutory training courses to the seafood industry. Funds are not allocated to cover fees for courses in Higher Education or Third Level institutions. There are several grant schemes available in this regard via the Department of Education and Science and further information is available from...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: My Department is currently responsible for the administration of the Foreshore Act 1933, which regulates activity on or affecting the State's foreshore. The Government decided on 2 October 2007 that responsibility for foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933 in respect of port companies and harbour authorities governed by the Harbours Acts 1946, 1996 and 2000 and any other...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 315 together. A good deal of work has already been undertaken and significant progress has been made on drafting the new Animal Health and Welfare Bill and I intend to initiate a process of public consultation by publishing a consultation paper and inviting submissions from interested parties and other stakeholders. The Bill will be a comprehensive...

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: In 1961 the former Irish Land Commission purchased some 96 acres of land from the person named. The fee simple of this land was subsequently given back to him for a nominal sum. Turbary rights over the land were disposed of, over time, to 41 individuals who now have legitimate title to these rights. The resolution of any turbary issues is a private matter between the parties involved.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The total package negotiated in the context of the reform of the EU sugar regime was worth in excess of €310m to Ireland. The first element is the compensation for the reduction in the minimum price of beet which is worth approximately €123m to Irish beet growers over seven years. It has been already incorporated in the Single Payment with effect from 2006. The second element is the EU...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted a REPS 4 application in November 2007. His REPS 4 plan will commence on 1 December 2007 and payment in respect of 2007 will therefore be for one month. It will be paid as soon as possible following some necessary changes to my Department's computer system which are currently under way. As all REPS 4 contracts will in future have an anniversary date of 1 January,...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The criteria for planting are based on the Forestry Schemes Manual, a comprehensive suite of environmental guidelines including fisheries, landscape, archaeology, biodiversity, harvesting and forest protection, and the Code of Best Forest Practice (all available on the Department's website). The criteria vary from site to site and each application is examined by the Forest Service for...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Under EU rules, my Department is obliged to make all payments under EU funded or co-funded schemes, including pension payments under the Early Retirement Scheme, directly by electronic fund transfer into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries as and from 16 October 2008, the commencement of the 2009 EU financial year. The existing situation in which payments may issue by cheque will continue...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The person named applied for REPS 4 in February 2008. Farmers who submitted valid applications in February will start their REPS 4 contracts on 1 March 2008. They will receive 75% of a payment in respect of ten months when all administrative checks for REPS and the 2008 Single Payment Scheme are completed. The remaining 25% payment will go out when the last of the year's REPS on-farm...

Written Answers — Coastal Protection: Coastal Protection (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: My Department's position with regard to Cromane remains as outlined in my reply to PQ No. 162 dated 3rd April, 2008 which is set out as follows. The Glasha embankments near Cromane Lower were the responsibility of The Land Commissioners until the implementation of the Irish land Commission (Dissolution) Act, 1992. My Department has, however, agreed to provide funding for the development of...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The pier at Helvick is owned by Waterford County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development is a matter for the Local Authority in the first instance. My Department received an application for funding from Waterford County Council for inclusion in the 2008 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. This application together with all others received...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Work at Dunmore East is ongoing with site investigation work, surveys and examination of dredging issues in the vicinity of the Synchrolift having continued in 2007. Due to the scale of the investment required for the redevelopment of Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre, my Department was required to commission a Cost Benefit Analysis of the proposed development. This has been completed and...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The arrangements for REPS 4 are derived from a new Commission Regulation. In discussions with the Commission, my officials secured a special transitional arrangement for farmers in REPS 2 finishing their contracts during 2008. As long as these farmers have submitted an application for REPS by the new closing date of 15 May this year, they can submit their farm plans after that date and...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The person concerned is not an applicant under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. He has, however, taken over the herd number of an applicant under the Scheme. In such cases, the terms of the original grant of approval are, of course, applicable where the proposed works are completed to the required standards.

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I reject completely any suggestion that I have failed in relation to the WTO negotiations. I and my Government colleagues take every opportunity to express our concerns in the strongest terms in the various EU and WTO meetings dealing with these negotiations. At official level, my Department and other Departments involved have also been working assiduously in the various technical meetings...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006 was enacted on the 4th of April 2006 and provides for dissuasive and effective penalties for infringements of fisheries law as required under the Common Fisheries Policy. On foot of the recent Court of Auditors Report on Fisheries control the Commission is proposing wide-ranging proposals to reform and update the EU Fisheries Control...

Written Answers — Forestry Programme: Forestry Programme (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The company to which the Deputy refers is a group set up to ascertain the training and education needs within the forestry sector, to develop and prioritise training programmes and to fund training to address the needs identified. The initial impetus for this initiative came from the sector itself when a diverse number of organisations, representative of various elements within the forest...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (29 Apr 2008)

Mary Coughlan: In the course of an inspection on 5 December 2007, some apparent issues of non-compliance were noted. The matter is being reviewed at local level and the person named will be notified of the outcome within two weeks. A consolidated plan was also required with the application for payment and to date this has not been received.