Results 8,981-9,000 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Food Safety Standards. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The Deputy can raise that issue with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
- Animal Diseases. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I will not have time to read the entire reply but I presume it will be included in the Official Report. The national disease control centre, NDCC, of my Department brings together a range of veterinary, scientific, administrative and legal expertise available throughout the Department. Meetings of the NDCC's management committee are frequently chaired by me or, in my absence, by the...
- Animal Diseases. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Although I agree it is a growing threat, my view is that we are adequately resourced within the Department. We use the expert advice that is available and we can meet within 30 minutes. The latter is the most important aspect of our reaction to issues such as those under discussion. Expert advice and opinion has always been available in respect of any matters that might arise. We also...
- Animal Diseases. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: This is carried out and we have risk analysis and forward planning for new diseases which may arise. This is not a reactionary policy. We have a contingency plan in the event of many diseases coming through. Regrettably, we have had experience with some of these. We cannot be complacent. This is an evolving policy area and risk analysis will advise me accordingly. The level of...
- Food Industry. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Do not forget him.
- Legislative Programme. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The squirrels in the forest know when this Bill will be finished.
- European Council Meetings. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The provisional agenda for the next meeting of the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers, scheduled for 26 and 27 November, indicates that it will deal with both agriculture and fisheries matters. As regards agriculture, the Commission will present its communication to the Council and the European Parliament on preparing for the health check of the CAP reform. It will also present...
- European Council Meetings. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The main agenda matter for the meeting is wine reform which, although not particularly consequential to us, will have significant implications for EU wine growers.
- European Council Meetings. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The first paper on the health check is very important to us. The Deputy will be surprised at the difficulties that have arisen in terms of labelling spirit drinks and the implications it could have on our production. A number of new member states were insistent that the word "vodka" could not be used in Ireland, which was traditionally the practice. Although these matters have implications...
- European Council Meetings. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I concur with the Deputy that a debate would be fruitful, whether in the Chamber or the committee system, as I would welcome an opportunity to hear the views of Members. The Department is establishing a consultative group of stakeholders to advise me on the health check. We also have a specific one on milk quotas. I am sure we could raise the matter with the Whips. Once we have the...
- European Council Meetings. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: It is a lunch rather than an after-dinner discussion and will be attended by a restricted group.
- European Council Meetings. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: That process is not complete. I must have further discussions with Members in preparing my speaking notes. As the Deputy will be aware, these are private views and the discussion at lunch will also be private.
- European Council Meetings. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Is that what it is called?
- European Council Meetings. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy is aware, the competent authority will be my Minister of State. It is more the pity that so few questions were tabled on fishing but perhaps this is a matter for consideration in future. The Deputy is correct that a strategy is being prepared and the Minister of State has been part of that process, having met representatives of other member states on a number of occasions....
- Animal Diseases. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: It is important, in the first instance, to emphasise that I have never had discretion to raise the age thresholds for BSE testing as these are fixed at EU level. I have, however, been a constant advocate of change and have taken and continue to take every opportunity to impress upon Commissioner Kyprianou the overwhelming case I believe exists to raise the age limits. My officials have also...
- Animal Diseases. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I have continued to pursue this issue vigorously, but a number of member states do not wish this to happen. The decision that will be made will apply EU-wide. In that regard, the paper was received and discussed in October. I had hoped and expected that this would be introduced at the end of this yearââ
- Animal Diseases. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Unfortunately, many of my EU counterparts will not agree. We now have three proposals. I have put forward our view as to what we wish to have and this is being pursued vigorously by me and my veterinary staff. I have spoken to the Commissioner to expedite the matter and will continue to keep the pressure on him. While I would love to be able to give a definite date, I cannot do so....
- Animal Diseases. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I have formed many political alliances around the table and used them extensively. They are not just in the agriculture area, but also in the fisheries area. We have good political alliances and continue to hold bilateral discussions. I will meet the forthcoming Presidency in Slovenia on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss these issues and did the same in previous presentations and...
- Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The farm improvement scheme was launched by my Department in July with funding of â¬79 million as agreed under the partnership agreement, Towards 2016. I announced the suspension of the scheme on 31 October, as applications received thereunder had reached this level of funding. I had made it clear at the time of the introduction of the scheme that it would be closed when the financial...
- Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (22 Nov 2007)
Mary Coughlan: To clarify, I was given â¬79 million and it was agreed that the existing farm waste management scheme was to have priority to deal with the issue of nitrates. It was, without shadow of a doubt, one of the best schemes ever introduced, besides being flexible and catering for farmers with fewer than 20 livestock units to farmers with investments of over â¬120,000. It was agreed by both...