Results 10,361-10,380 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Although Ireland's application for a derogation has been approved by the EU Nitrates Committee, the European Commission has not yet issued its formal decision. Until it does so, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government cannot make the necessary amendments to the Regulations. However my officials are actively making preparations to implement the derogation; and full...
- Written Answers — Forestry Industry: Forestry Industry (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988. Day-to-day operational matters such as the sale of land and issues concerning such sales are the responsibility of the company. The details requested by the Deputy concerning those sales come within the ambit of Coillte's operational responsibilities. For the Deputy's information a list of all...
- Written Answers — Farm Household Incomes: Farm Household Incomes (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The Sheep Industry Development Strategy Group issued its report in June 2006. This is a comprehensive study of the sheep industry which sets out a Development Plan for the sector contained in 37 recommendations. I decided that the best way to implement these recommendations was to set up an implementation body comprised of representatives of all sectors in the industry, including the...
- Written Answers — Sheepmeat Industry: Sheepmeat Industry (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The Sheep Industry Development Strategy Group issued its report in June 2006. This is a comprehensive study of the sheep industry which sets out a Development Plan for the sector contained in 37 recommendations. I decided that the best way to implement these recommendations was to set up an implementation body comprised of representatives of all sectors in the industry, including the...
- Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: My Department already conducts regular checks on the results of butter fat testing carried out by milk processors. It also checks the calibration of the instruments used in milk processing establishments for measuring the fat and protein levels in milk collected from producers. My Department also monitors the instruments used in measuring somatic cell levels in milk delivered to processors....
- Written Answers — National Climate Change Strategy: National Climate Change Strategy (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Climate change has serious implications not just for agriculture but for all sectors of the economy. The Government is committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol and the National Climate Change Strategy published in 2000 sets the framework for Ireland to achieve its targets under the Protocol, i.e. to limit greenhouse gas emissions to 13% above 1990...
- Written Answers — Mushroom Industry: Mushroom Industry (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The regulatory framework governing plant protection products in Ireland which is set out in SI 83 of 2003 is designed to ensure a very high standard of protection for human health and the environment. Enforcement of the legislation involves inspections to ensure that only approved products are present in the market and are used by farmers and growers. Inspections normally take place at...
- Written Answers — Agrifood Industry: Agrifood Industry (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: There is no "Agri-Vision Action Committee". The Agri Vision Action Plan was launched in March 2006 and is the Government's response to the report of the Agri Vision 2015 Committee, chaired by Mr. Alan Dukes which completed its work in December 2004. Reports on the progress achieved in implementing the action points laid down in the Plan were considered at the Management Advisory Committee...
- Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 176 together. The negotiations on a new WTO agreement were launched at Doha in November 2001. While significant progress has been made towards concluding an agreement, most notably in the framework agreement which was reached in Geneva in August 2004 and at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong in December 2005, the negotiations broke down and...
- Written Answers — Official Travel: Official Travel (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I travelled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as part of the recent trade delegation there led by An Taoiseach. Saudi Arabia imposed a ban on the importation of beef from Ireland and other EU countries in December 2000, due to concern about BSE. In the years preceding the ban, a substantial trade had developed in the export of Irish beef to Saudi Arabia which was...
- Written Answers — Sheepmeat Industry: Sheepmeat Industry (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The Sheep Industry Development Strategy Group issued its report in June 2006. This is a comprehensive study of the sheep industry which sets out a Development Plan for the sector contained in 37 recommendations. I decided that the best way to implement these recommendations was to set up an implementation body comprised of representatives of all sectors in the industry, including the relevant...
- Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The deliberate release of genetically modified crops into the environment is legislated for under EU Directive 2001/18/EC which provides, inter alia, for controls governing the assessment and authorisation procedures for GM crop cultivation. The EPA is the competent authority for the implementation of this Directive in Ireland. This Directive is part of a suite of GM legislation, adopted by...
- Written Answers — National Climate Change Strategy: National Climate Change Strategy (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Climate change has serious implications not just for agriculture but for all sectors of the economy. The Government is committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol and the National Climate Change Strategy published in 2000 sets the framework for Ireland to achieve its targets under the Protocol, i.e. to limit greenhouse gas emissions to 13% above 1990...
- Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 138 together. I decided to increase the maximum in the 1994â99 Scheme from â¬12,075 to â¬14,075 per annum and the maximum in the 2000-2006 Scheme from â¬13,515 to â¬15,000 per annum with effect from 1st November 2006. These increases formed part of the undertakings in the social partnership agreement, Towards 2016. They will add some â¬33...
- Written Answers — Health Promotion Policy: Health Promotion Policy (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 122 together. I am very aware of the need to promote sensible and healthy eating habits among our young people. Not alone do health, diet and nutrition impact on societal well-being, mental health and life expectancy, it pervades into every area of our economy, from lost work days to increased healthcare costs. The case for targeting the dietary...
- Written Answers — National Genotyping Programme: National Genotyping Programme (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The emergence of cloned animals and embryos from these animals raise issues on a number of fronts, which need to be addressed. I have taken this matter up with the EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, as it is preferable, I believe, that such issues are dealt with on a community-wide basis. Breeding legislation relating to the trade of animals and their semen, ova and embryos...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: My Department received a total of 249 applications under the 2006 Energy Crops Scheme. To date, payment has issued to 141 applicants. Under the governing EU regulations, payments are required to be made by 30 June of the year following. Of the 108 applicants as yet unpaid, 48 have not yet submitted the required delivery documentation, 21 have furnished insufficient documentation, while in...
- Written Answers — Animal Welfare Bodies: Animal Welfare Bodies (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: Since 1995, my Department has made ex gratia payments to a number of organisations directly involved in the delivery of animal care and welfare services. The funding available to any individual organisation is dependent on resources available and the level of demand and is therefore intended only as a contribution to the overall costs of the organisation. Until 2004, these ex gratia...
- Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: I am not aware of any specific proposal on supports for the establishment of co-operative energy supply companies by farmers. A number of initiatives are underway to support renewable energy deployment across the electricity, heat and transport sectors. As announced in Budget 2007, my Department is providing â¬14 million in the period 2007-2009 to incentivise farmers to grow energy crops....
- Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (6 Feb 2007)
Mary Coughlan: The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture published its report on the Early Retirement Schemes in February 2005. The report dealt with a range of issues and I responded to it in detail in September 2005. As I explained in my response, certain of the Committee's recommendations were precluded by the EU Regulations under which the Scheme and its predecessor were operated. The Scheme...