Results 8,961-8,980 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: An application under the 2007 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received in this case on 2 May 2007. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 21 September, with payments issuing in respect of those cases cleared for payment at that stage. Payments continue to issue as further cases subsequently become clear. The application in this case has now been fully processed and payment...
- Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (27 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The Office of Public Works carried out an Access Audit on my Department's Offices and Laboratories and are arranging to ensure the offices are made accessible to people with disabilities.
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (27 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: A unit of the Corporate Affairs Division in my Department has responsibility for press and media matters. The equivalent of 4.5 staff work full-time on media communication duties in this unit. They are paid normal civil service salaries commensurate with their grades. Details of the staff costs for each of the first three quarters of 2007 are set out in the table below. â'¬ Quarter 1...
- Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (27 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The information in relation to my Department's website is given below. The operation of the websites of agencies under the aegis of my Department is the responsibility of the agencies concerned. Website Date set up Updated Cost (exclusive of staff costs) http://www.agriculture.gov.ie. including http://agfood.ie and various subsites 1996 Continually â¬552,500
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The person concerned is an applicant under both the Dairy Hygiene and Farm Waste Management Schemes. My Department has no record of having received any notification of completion of works and the related documents from the applicant. The applications cannot be further progressed until this documentation is received.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: In 1998, a 100% penalty was applied to the person named in respect of a serious breach of the REP Scheme conditions. This penalty was upheld upon appeal to the REPS Appeals Committee and the Office of the Ombudsman. In 2001, the person named availed of the option offered by my Department to pay by agreed monthly instalments over a specially extended timeframe. In light of this agreement, my...
- Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (27 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I am responsible to the Dail for the bodies set out below insofar as Ministerial policy is concerned, but not for their day-to-day operations or for policies set by the Boards of the bodies. Teagasc An Bord Bia Irish National Stud Co. Ltd. Coillte Teoranta National Milk Agency Veterinary Council of Ireland Bord Iascaigh Mhara Marine Institute Sea Fisheries Protection Authority Aquaculture...
- Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (27 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The 2007 Estimates provide for a Grant-in-Aid of â¬26.505 million to An Bord Bia. An Bord Bia also receives money in respect of specific certification costs relating to quality assurance and implementation of the Health Eating Initiative (Food Dude programme) in primary schools. The amounts provided for the latter activities in 2007 are â¬2.3 million and â¬4 million respectively.
- Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (27 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: This is an operational matter for Bord Bia and it is not appropriate that I respond on such day to day activities.
- Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (27 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: My Department's Vote for 2007 included an allocation of â¬361 million for REPS. Some â¬262 million of expenditure has been incurred to date. Spending for the remainder of the year will be determined by the number of farmers who send in their annual payment applications. In 2006, REPS payments came to â¬33 million in November and â¬61 million in December.
- Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (27 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: This is an operational matter for Bord Bia and it is not appropriate that I respond on such day to day activities.
- Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (27 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: My Department has in place extensive controls to protect personal data, in particular for sensitive information such as individual banking information. The Department has a secure and robust IT infrastructure that provides protection for all of the electronic information that it holds. The Department also has a sophisticated data access control system that provides for tailored access...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The Single Payment Scheme is subject to ongoing scrutiny by auditors from the European Commission and the European Court of Auditors. In its recent annual report for 2006, the European Court of Auditors highlighted what they regard as certain deficiencies in the operations of the Single Payment Scheme in a number of Member States including Ireland. In particular, the Court of Auditors...
- Food Safety Standards. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Conditions for trade in animal products with third countries follow the principles laid down under agreements of the World Trade Organisation and the international organisation for animal health. The European Commission is mandated to negotiate these conditions on behalf of the European Union and, through its Food and Veterinary Office, FVO, monitor the compliance of third countries it has...
- Food Safety Standards. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Since my appointment as Minister a number of years ago I, alone, gave credibility to the IFA report which I forwarded to the Commissioner.
- Food Safety Standards. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The Deputy may not want to listen but it is time the truth was told in the House. I sent additional unpublished information, made available to me by the Irish Farmers Journal, to the Commissioner. I followed up the matter on a number of occasions. I met the Commissioner officially at every meeting of the Council, where I have expressed reservations and asked that 25 recommendations made in...
- Food Safety Standards. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: That is not a matter for me, but for the European Commission. The Commissioner is charged with responsibility for the health of people in the European Union. He is the competent authority.
- Food Safety Standards. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: On the basis of the risk assessment carried out by the FVO on behalf of the Commissioner and the Commission, a ban has not been recommended.
- Food Safety Standards. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The FVO made 25 recommendations. I am the only Minister who has given political credence to the report and will continue to do so. The Commissioner will make a determination on the basis of the risk assessment. Although he has stated there are shortcomings, he has not taken that decision. Until such time as the risk assessment advises otherwise, he will not make it. However, I will be...
- Food Safety Standards. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The Deputy may make this his political forte but I am charged with responsibility and I have delivered.