Results 11,121-11,140 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152, 163, 197, 484 and 491 together. The Government recently published a Green Paper on energy "Towards A Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland", in which they made a firm commitment to promote renewable energy, as part of a coherent energy policy. In this context, a Ministerial Taskforce has been established to prepare a road map to develop Ireland's...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Following my request last December for observations on the recommendations contained in the Interdepartmental Group Report on Coexistence of GM crops and non GM crops in Ireland I received over sixty submissions from the general public. I am currently engaged in the process of considering these submissions in the light of the Recommendations made and I hope to be in a position to bring...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USA annually request a copy of Ireland's national residue monitoring plan and a copy of the 2006 plan was provided to FSIS on 4th April 2006. Third Countries wishing to export animal products to the EU are required under EU law to satisfy the European Commission that their legislation and control regimes provide equivalent guarantees to those in...

Written Answers — Forestry Industry: Forestry Industry (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Since 1991 some 228,159 hectares of new forestry have been planted, an average planting rate of 15,000 hectares a year. The current planting target of 20,000 hectares per annum, including public planting of 5,000 hectares per annum was set in 1996. The reasons why the annual planting target has not been met are complex. In the first place, public planting ceased almost completely in the late...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Further to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 377 of 27 June 2006, the investigation referred to in my reply is still ongoing. This investigation is comprehensive and thorough and, pending its completion, it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further.

Written Answers — Sheep Industry: Sheep Industry (17 Oct 2006)

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 industry 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 — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy will be aware the current milk quota arrangements were extended until the end of the 2014/2015 milk quota year as part of the 2003 Luxembourg Agreement on the reform of the CAP. While a review will take place in 2008, any further proposals for reform are a matter for the EU Commission, and the Council will make decisions on such proposals. Should the Commission come forward...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: In accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCOFCAH), the EU Commission, on 13th October 2006 adopted a Decision addressed to Member States prohibiting the placing on the market of all curd cheese manufactured by Bowland Dairy Products Limited, a UK based company. The Decision also required that Member States shall trace, detain and dispose of...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare Bodies: Animal Welfare Bodies (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has certain statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals. The legislation governing this is the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984 and the European Communities (Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes) Regulations, 2000. In addition there is specific legislation in relation to pigs, calves and laying hens. Welfare...

Written Answers — EU Conventions: EU Conventions (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of animals kept for farming purposes only and it does not extend to animals kept as pets. I understand that the matter relating to ratification of Council of Europe Conventions and the responsibility of Departments in that regard are still under consideration.

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Ireland cannot unilaterally declare itself as a GM free region and as a consequence prohibit the cultivation and use of authorised GM crops and products within the country. EU legislation on GMOs which has been adopted by the European Parliament and the Council under the co-decision procedure is binding on all member states. As outlined to the House on previous occasions, the only way regions...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: An EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) inspection to evaluate animal health and public health control systems, traceability and certification procedures in place in Brazil was carried out in September of last year. In December the FVO completed a second mission that year to evaluate the control of residues and contaminants in live animals and animal products, including controls on veterinary...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165, 174, 182 and 216 together. The enforcement of food labelling regulations is centralised in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) who ensure that the appropriate controls are carried out by the relevant official agencies. The official agencies include the Health Service Executive, my Department, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I am glad to say that regulations were introduced in June 2006 (operational from 3 July) to extend 'country of origin' information requirements on beef at retail level to the catering sector. The enabling legislation passed by the Oireachtas in March of this year, under which these regulations were made, also facilitates the extension of country of origin labelling to all meats. However,...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 167, 190, 206 and 217 together. In the recently published Green Paper on a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland, the Government made a firm commitment to promote the renewable energy sector in Ireland. Overall responsibility in this area rests with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, who is leading a cross-Departmental,...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food 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 this response, certain of the Committee's recommendations are precluded by the EU Regulations under which the current Scheme and its predecessor are operated....

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Ireland's action programme under the Nitrates Directive was given legal effect by the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006, which were signed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on 18 July, 2006. Consideration of Ireland's proposals for a derogation to allow certain farmers to operate, under appropriate...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (17 Oct 2006)

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, that is, to limit greenhouse gas emissions to 13% above...

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: While the organic sector in Ireland is small by European standards, it is growing. The total area in conversion or with full organic status rose by nearly 5,000 hectares to 35,266 hectares in 2005, an increase of some 15% on 2004. That figure has increased further to 36,412 hectares this year. This represents 0.8% of the total utilisable agricultural area. The National Steering Group for...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: REPS has delivered benefits in agricultural, environmental and socio-economic terms. This is evidenced in more efficient management practices, increased biodiversity and reductions in fertilizer usage and increased viability on family farms. Almost €2 billion has been paid directly to farmers since REPS was introduced in 1994 of which approximately €1.22 billion was paid in the 2000 to...