Results 8,221-8,240 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- WTO Negotiations. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Those figures are from the IFA's analysis which I have noted. I met the IFA, with the Taoiseach, to discuss these figures which are part of all discussions concerning the negotiations. We are at a difficulty in that we are progressing to a ministerial decision in May and cannot say what will happen. We have seen the outcome of analyses of a number of proposals over the past seven and a...
- WTO Negotiations. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The Department does not have a final analysis. The IFA has put forward its analysis and met senior officials in the Department. FAPRI and IBEC have also done their analyses. All these are part of the negotiations and the team. We are in a negotiating position. We have also listened to the EU Commission. However, I do not have a firm analysis completed on Crawford Falconer's, chairman of...
- WTO Negotiations. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: We have a 2005 analysis. The only problem is that is not where we are at now. We are at the 2007 analysis.
- WTO Negotiations. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Perhaps the Deputy will reflect on what he said and retract it. This is a negotiation. There was no agreement.
- WTO Negotiations. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The agreement in the Hong Kong round was not about market access. The current WTO negotiations are on this issue. We have agreed, to an extent, the 2005 proposals from the Hong Kong round. These were based on parallelism and the methodology being finalised by the Commission and member states, which has not yet happened. It was based on outcome of financial perspectives. When negotiatingââ
- WTO Negotiations. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: ââone does not show one's hand. We were not negotiating market access in 2005. We are negotiating it in 2007 and 2008. We could be negotiating it in 2009 and 2010. Until such time as we reach that, it is inappropriate to analyse because matters are moving. It would be important for Deputy Creed to understand that we are not at the bottom line phase of negotiations. There was no...
- WTO Negotiations. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: It is very simplistic of the Deputy to ask this question. I will only agree that we have had good discussions on this matter in the House. Every Member, whether involved in agriculture or otherwise, believes the outcome of the WTO negotiations is important. I believe a balance is the most important outcome that I must attain for Irish agriculture and the agrifood sector. We are not yet at...
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The series of measures I announced last May in support of the sheep sector constituted my response to the report of the sheep strategy development group, known as the Malone report. Together, the measures form a comprehensive package that recognises the importance of the sheep sector and addresses the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Good progress is being made in implementing...
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: "Yes" to what and "No" to what?
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The Deputy asked five questions so I will take the opportunity to reply to them.
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: On the scarcity of lamb, and not to be overly facetious, the Deputy is well aware that Easter was celebrated early this year.
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The Deputy's hip is obviously still annoying him.
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: However, that will not happen for another 40 years and Deputy Creed and I will not be too concerned about it. We are returning to the position prior to the ewe premium stage. The Deputy is correct. There has been a considerable reduction in the number of sheep in the country. It was on that basis we came together to consider the proposals we could implement and it was from there the Malone...
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: That is exactly the issue. The Commissioner stated that we could consider modulation or that we could examine another formula under which money would be taken from one set of farmers in order to pay another set. The French do this but they have the option of transferring money from large cereal farmers into the sheep sector. I would be obliged to take money from beef producers and I am...
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The Deputy is aware that we have serious concerns, with which he is in sympathy, regarding compulsory modulation. We are awaiting the outcome of a number of matters. We increased the REP scheme by 17%, which is considerable. I am not stating it is particularly easy and we must consider a multifaceted approach. The bottom line is that the consumption of sheepmeat in Europe has decreased...
- Sheep Sector. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: There are also consumer and price issues of which we must be cognisant. We will deal with all these issues.
- Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: What Deputy Creed stated is completely untrue.
- Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I previously answered a parliamentary question from the Deputyââ
- Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The one thing the Deputies should learn is that they will not be over here for a while.
- Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (8 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Only if the person concerned is completing REPS 2 this year. In that case, one just ticks a box.