Results 8,281-8,300 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: In discussions with my officials, the European Commission have confirmed the new rules for applications and payments under REPS 4. Payments will relate to the period in each calendar year during which a participant is in REPS 4 and will issue in two stages. The first, which will be 75% of the total, will issue when all administrative checks for REPS and the Single Payment Scheme are...
- Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: In discussions with my officials, the European Commission have confirmed the new rules for applications and payments under REPS 4. Payments will relate to the period in each calendar year during which a participant is in REPS 4 and will issue in two stages. The first, which will be 75% of the total, will issue when all administrative checks for REPS and the Single Payment Scheme are...
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: There were 2,500 hectares used for the production of bio-energy crops in 2005, 4,500 hectares in 2006 and 8,900 hectares in 2007. In 2007, I introduced a new National Energy Premium of â¬80 per hectare and a new Bio-Energy Scheme to assist the development of the production of energy crops in Ireland. The â¬80 National payment supplements the EU Premium of â¬45 per hectare. The buoyant...
- Written Answers — Sugar Beet Sector: Sugar Beet Sector (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The total package negotiated in the context of the reform of the EU sugar regime was worth in excess of â¬310 million to Ireland. The first element is the compensation for the reduction in the minimum price of beet which is worth approximately â¬123 million to Irish beet growers over seven years. It has been already incorporated in the Single Payment with effect from 2006. The second...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: In discussions with my officials, the European Commission have confirmed the new rules for applications and payments under REPS 4. Payments will relate to the period in each calendar year during which a participant is in REPS 4 and will issue in two stages. The first, which will be 75% of the total, will issue when all administrative checks for REPS and the Single Payment Scheme are...
- Written Answers — Fuel Subsidies: Fuel Subsidies (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The escalation of fuel costs, as a result of global economic and political conditions, remains a matter of concern for all sectors of industry. It is important to note that the fishing industry in Ireland already receives favourable treatment in the form of a full rebate on excise and VAT on marine fuel, if the enterprise concerned is registered for VAT. Fuel subsidies, in terms of operating...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Payments under the Farm Improvement Scheme continue to be made to farmers who have satisfactorily completed work under the Scheme and, to date this year, 236 payments have been made to applicants under the Scheme.
- Written Answers — Sheep Sector: Sheep Sector (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The Sheep Industry Strategy Development Group and the subsequent Implementation Group set the blueprint for the sector's future development. The sheep sector is an important part of the overall agri-food sector and its future depends on its ability to meet the needs of the market. Most of the Strategy Group's recommendations fall to be implemented by the industry itself but my Department and...
- Written Answers — Beef Industry: Beef Industry (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I assume that the question relates to raising the age limit for the removal of vertebral column from 24 to 30 months. In July 2007, the then European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection proposed that the age limit for the removal of vertebral column in cattle be increased from 24 months to 30 months. The proposal received unanimous support at a meeting of the Standing Committee...
- Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The existing requirement that all bovines over 30 months of age, slaughtered for human consumption, must be tested along with all casualty animals and all fallen stock over 24 months is provided for under Regulation (EC) 999/2001. I have been a consistent advocate of change in these age thresholds, based on the results of surveillance carried out here and the significant reduction in the...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: My Department maintains records of bovine animals on CMMS. Discrepancy Reports issue to farmers reflecting inconsistencies identified between the TB or Brucellosis test report and the data for the herd held on CMMS. Such farmers are requested to resolve the discrepancies. A farmer experiencing any difficulties following the procedures may contact the local office for assistance. In cases...
- Written Answers — Fishing Industry: Fishing Industry (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The small crane which is located at the landing berth in Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre was purchased, installed and calibrated in November 2003. The management of the crane was handed over, under licence, to Dunmore East Fisherman's Co-op Society Ltd. in April 2007. The terms of the licence set out the areas of responsibility that fell to the Co-op and those that remained with my...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The person concerned submitted two applications for grant-aid under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. My Department issued payment of grant-aid for the first application on 14 May 2007. An application for payment in respect of the second application is currently under consideration and a decision will be will be made in regard to the application as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The person concerned was deemed ineligible for grant-aid under the Installation Aid Scheme on 10 January 2008. The applicant appealed the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office who requested my Department to carry out a review of the case. That review is currently ongoing.
- Written Answers — Water and Sewerage Schemes: Water and Sewerage Schemes (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 660 and 661 together. As a general rule procedures for the issuing of foreshore consents require the acceptance by the relevant parties of the draft licence conditions prior to the public consultation element of the process. This is to ensure that the description of the projects as advertised to the public reflects as closely as possible what will be...
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: In February 2007, I launched a new Bioenergy Scheme on a pilot basis to encourage farmers to plant miscanthus and willow for bioenergy purposes. The objectives of the Scheme are: to establish an agricultural sector involved in the growing of miscanthus and willow specifically to produce biomass suitable for use as a clean and renewable source of heat and energy; to increase the production of...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the 2005 Single Payment Scheme National Reserve under Category D. Category D catered for farmers who commenced farming after 31 December 2002 or who commenced farming in 2002 but who did not receive direct payments in respect of that scheme year. As the person named received his herdnumber on 24 September 2001...
- Written Answers — On-Farm Investment Schemes: On-Farm Investment Schemes (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Standard BS 5502, part 21, is only a guide on best practice in relation to the selection of roof cladding materials for agriculture buildings, and as such it is not possible to have cladding sheets tested to meet its requirements. My Department developed a testing procedure, in association with cladding manufacturers, in the mid-1990s, and this system has remained unchanged since 1997. The...
- Written Answers — Farm Improvement Scheme: Farm Improvement Scheme (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Some 12,675 applications were received under the Farm Improvement Scheme prior to its suspension on 31 October 2007. These applications are currently being processed up to the level of funding made available for the Scheme under the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016. The terms and conditions of the Scheme provide that, in order to be considered valid, applications which require...
- Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (2 Apr 2008)
Mary Coughlan: In reply to the Deputy, the position of my Department in relation to his question is as follows: Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) Established on the 1st January 2007, the primary purpose of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is to manage Sea Fisheries Protection and Seafood Safety. The SFPA have a vital role to play in overseeing fishing activities in our waters in...