Results 11,161-11,180 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

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

Mary Coughlan: There are currently no cases of Classical Swine Fever in this country. In the event of an outbreak, my Department would apply measures to contain and eradicate the disease in line with national and EU legislation.

Written Answers — Veterinary Inspection Service: Veterinary Inspection Service (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The protection of animals used for experimental or other scientific purposes is regulated under EU and national legislation (respectively Council Directive 86/609/EEC and the European Communities (Amendment to Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876) Regulations, 1994) which legislation falls within the remit of the Minister for Health and Children.

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 — Veterinary Services: Veterinary Services (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will be aware that veterinary practices are primarily commercial entities and their locations are driven by commercial realities. However, insofar as State involvement is concerned, I can point to a number of recent measures which will alleviate difficulties which may arise in certain parts of the country. Under the new Veterinary Practice Act 2005, effective from 1 January 2006,...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, the Department operated the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of On-Farm Grain Storage for two rounds of the scheme in 2001 and 2002. The aim of the scheme was to improve the quality and safety of grain and to relieve pressure on commercial intake points at harvest time by developing on-farm storage and handling facilities. The...

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

Mary Coughlan: REPS 3 is provided for under the current Rural Development Programme that finishes on 31 December 2006 and currently over 3,000 new REPS applications have to be processed by that date. In addition REPS 2 participants with anniversary dates from 1 September to 1 December 2006 inclusive who apply to join REPS 3 under the "fast track" transitional arrangements which I introduced must be...

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Eight tenders were received in the recent competition for the supply of bovine animal identification tags and birth registration documents. I am satisfied that having one supplier of cattle tags in the Irish context is appropriate because the overall solution offered by the company selected was deemed to be significantly superior to the alternatives offered in the tender process. The...

Written Answers — Live Exports: Live Exports (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Trade in horses between EU Member States is provided for under EU legislation which establishes the health conditions and health certification to be applied to such animals for trade purposes. The prevention of a trade that is specifically provided for in EU legislation would be contrary to the fundamental principles of the EU and could be construed as an unlawful barrier to trade. Ireland...

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

Mary Coughlan: The implementation of the Nitrates Directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The control authorities designated for the purposes of implementation of the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 are the local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency. My...

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

Mary Coughlan: I am supportive of initiatives to promote food on all-island basis where this is of mutual benefit and leads to closer economic co-operation. The development of an all-island animal health policy is a necessary prerequisite to the establishment of an all-island food label. The development of the animal health policy is being actively pursued in the context of North/South cooperation. In...

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

Mary Coughlan: REPS 4 will form an integral part of Ireland's Rural Development Plan (RDP) 2007-2013. A draft of the RDP will issue for public consultation shortly and it is my objective to secure EU Commission approval for the RDP and to roll out REPS 4 at the earliest possible date in 2007. The EU regulation governing agri-environment schemes does not allow for the inclusion of payments in REPS 4 for...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Cross compliance involves two key elements: A requirement for farmers to comply with 18 statutory management requirements (SMRs) set down in EU legislation on the environment, food safety, animal health, welfare and plant health, A requirement to maintain the farm in good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC). If an applicant is found to be non-compliant sanctions are provided for...

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Under Council Regulation (EC) No. 21/2004, which established a harmonized system of identification for sheep, obligatory electronic sheep identification is to be introduced throughout the EU from the 1st of January 2008. This date is, however, subject to further Council discussions and amendment if necessary. Ireland is fully participating in all working groups on electronic identification...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: A new forestry programme will be brought forward as part of the Rural Development Plan for the period 2007 to 2013. The detail of the new Plan and its forestry component is being finalised and it will be made available for public consultation shortly.

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

Mary Coughlan: The regulations governing the provision of country of origin information on beef in the catering sector were introduced by the Minister for Health and Children. Responsibility for enforcement of the regulations is with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Officials of my Department have had extensive discussions with the Department of Health and Children and the FSAI during the drafting of...

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 — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: We already have EU Regulations which provide for the labelling of unprocessed poultrymeat at retail level. The information which these regulations require on the label includes the registered number of the slaughterhouse or cutting plant and, where imported from a Third Country, an indication of country of origin. These regulations do not apply to poultry products that are processed in any...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 468 and 469 together. The proposed guidelines for felling to protect the freshwater pearl mussel will not be subject to a Regulatory Impact Analysis. Regulatory Impact Analysis is a tool used to assess the likely effects of a proposed new regulation or regulatory change and implies a focus on the regulatory framework, i.e. primary and secondary regulation....

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The transposition of the Water Framework Directive is the responsibility of the Minister of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The hydrological impacts, and the use of herbicides and pesticides associated with all sectoral activities, are currently being addressed by separate working groups reporting to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (17 Oct 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I am not aware of any occurrence in my Department of a Civil Servant seeking to obtain an Order from the Courts to enforce their contractual rights. However, given the large number of staff in my Department, to confirm this would require an examination of a large number of files of serving, retired and deceased staff going back over a period of nearly twenty years. If the Deputy requires...