Results 9,561-9,580 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: 3,467 applications for grant-aid have been received under the Farm Improvement Scheme since its introduction on 12 July 2007. To date, 268 approvals have issued to farmers to commence work under the Scheme. As farmers can submit applications prior to the receipt of full and final planning permission, it is not possible to state when approval can issue in all cases.

Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Earlier this year, I announced the provision of a new second level school for the Kinvara area. This decision was and remains predicated on the Mercy Order as Trustees of Seamount College accepting first year students each year until the end of the 2011/2012 school year. The Deputy will appreciate that planning for a new school involves a number of processes which can take some time to...

Grant Payments. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Modulation, the transfer of funds from CAP Pillar One to Pillar Two was introduced by the Agriculture Council as part of an overall radical mid-term review of the CAP in June 2003. The decision of the Council was to introduce modulation at the rate of 3% in 2005, increasing to 4% in 2006 and 5% in 2007 and every year thereafter to 2012. There is speculation that the Commission will bring...

Grant Payments. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I agree with the Deputy on this issue. I have grave reservations in respect of an increase in compulsory modulation and I will hold firm on this. I engaged in bilateral discussions on this with my French counterpart two weeks ago and with the Presidency and a number of other member states to impress upon them Ireland's wish not to proceed in that vein. Many of the new member states would...

Grant Payments. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: He agreed with me.

Grant Payments. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: We had a good and constructive discussion on a number of issues. We will continue to be ad idem on many of these issues. I expressed my concerns arising from President Sarkozy's speech and those concerns were also raised by the Taoiseach. We will continue with what we have provided for up to 2013. I agree we must always look at market responses. For example, I would like to see a 3%...

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I met representatives of the pig industry recently and they made me fully aware of the difficulties currently being experienced by those farmers involved in the industry. There is no doubt that the conditions surrounding the availability and pricing of feed materials have changed dramatically over the last six months. A number of factors have contributed to this rise in feed prices. These...

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I met representatives of the pig industry and I share their concerns, as do many Members of the House. We must examine many other issues apart from that of feed. Pigmeat is a good value and wholesome product and I am investing further in its promotion. I am on record that we will all have to participate to reassure pig farmers that we have an industry. Something will have to be done about...

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I decided to abstain on the vote on feed.

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I am the Minister.

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I have the utmost respect for this House. The decision by Ireland to abstain on the EU Council vote on GM animal feeds is in line with that of France and Italy, which also abstained. These are major buyers of Irish produce. Had Ireland voted in favour, it would not have affected the outcome of the vote. The Government's objective is to seek to negotiate an island-wide GM free zone. It is...

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy is right that there are grave concerns about the pig industry. It is of significant concern that supermarkets determine the price level at which pigmeat is sold. Anyone who has gone to the butcher or to the shop will have seen how cheap pigmeat is. That is not sustainable. We must ensure that the industry is sustainable and I will do everything I can to support the pig...

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The price of feedstuff is a worldwide issue and is based on biofuels, increased population and a very competitive world market. India and China are the largest buyers of food. It is also based on weather conditions and many of the grain growers have lost their crops in desperate weather. It is on that basis that we will move ahead with the issue of setaside in 2008 for the production of...

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I advise the Deputy that we worked towards that and the proposal was sent to the Commission by me and two other colleagues.

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Perhaps the Deputy should go to the Commission to inform himself of what has to go to the Commission. The nitrates directive must be implemented in consultation with the Commission. I made that proposal and it was agreed but it was not accepted by the Commission. It was thrown out. Since then, the industry has been working with the Department to explore at a sectoral level how to address...

Pigmeat Sector. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: There are many farmers from Monaghan involved and I am sure they will be more than helpful.

Grain Storage. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The National Development Plan 2007-2013 provides for continued financial support for, in particular, on-farm investments. The farm improvement scheme, which was introduced by the Department on 12 July 2007, provides grant aid to farmers for the installation of grain bins and silos at a grant rate of 40% up to a maximum eligible investment ceiling of €120,000. These items were not...

Grain Storage. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: We are under pressure because there was such enthusiasm for the old farm waste management scheme. We must make progress as soon as possible because the end of 2008 is the closing date. We have adopted a fast-track approach for a number of the items of interest to farmers. Over the past ten days there has been a huge increase in the number of applications and grants sanctioned. We are...

Common Agricultural Policy. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I do not accept that the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy has had a negative impact on the industry. On the contrary, I believe that there are and will be major benefits for producers and consumers arising out of the ongoing implementation of the reformed CAP and the wide range of measures envisaged under the national development plan. As part of the 2003 reforms of the common...

Common Agricultural Policy. (3 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I do not accept it. We can deal with the negative when it comes to farming and agriculture but agriculture is still the bedrock of this country.