Results 11,321-11,340 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Foliar analysis is the internationally recognised method to determine nutrient requirements, including phosphorous requirements, in forests. There are recognised levels for different tree species to indicate their nutrient requirements. A site inspection also takes place to ensure that any nutrient deficiency identified by foliar analysis is not due to silvicultural or environmental factors.
- Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1183 and 1186 together. The application of fertiliser in forestry is governed by the Code of Best Forest Practice, Forestry and Water Guidelines and Forestry and Aerial Fertilization Guidelines, all issued by the Forest Service of my Department. These Guidelines, which reflect scientific findings and international good practice, set out requirements for...
- Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The information required for felling licence applications is prescribed under legislation in accordance with the Forestry Act, 1946 (Part IV) Regulations, 1949 and is furnished by way of a Felling Application and Notice submitted by the landowner. Part I of the Felling Notice contains particulars relating to the applicant and the land on which the trees stand together with a declaration of...
- Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I have no authority to regulate non-grant aided forest road construction on private property. Protection of the Environment in such a non-grant aid situation is a matter for the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
- Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (S.I. 538/2001), which were introduced by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, my prior approval must be obtained for all afforestation projects, regardless of whether any application is made for grant aid. A full review of forestry legislation is underway at present in my Department, and the...
- Written Answers — Water Supply: Water Supply (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I have no plans to introduce grant-aid for the boring of wells by farmers on their lands.
- Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: My Department has received the submission referred to in his question. The submission, which contains a request for a substantial amount of State funding, is currently being carefully examined by officials in my Department and a decision will issue in due course.
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1190 and 1206 together. As part of the EU Strategy for Bio-fuels, the EU Commission has just published a Report on implementation of the Energy Crops Scheme since 2005 and on how the efficiency of the Scheme could be further improved. My Department is currently studying this Report.
- Written Answers — Census of Population: Census of Population (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: My Department has no immediate plans to use the figures in the 2006 Census Preliminary Report produced by the Central Statistics Office. However, it is possible that they may be used in the future.
- Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The disposal of waste materials generally is covered by the Waste Management Acts 1996 to 2005, which apply to all sectors of society including the agricultural sector, and is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Under the Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, manufacturers and importers of farm plastics â that is, silage bale wrap and...
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Currently, support for the growing of energy crops is provided by way of the Energy Crops Scheme, which was introduced under the reform of the CAP. Under this scheme, energy crops may qualify for aid of â¬45 per hectare provided they are intended primarily for use in the production of biofuels and electric and thermal energy produced from biomass. In addition to this scheme, set aside land...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the Single Payment Scheme National Reserve under Category B. Category B caters for farmers who, between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003, made an investment in production capacity in a farming sector for which a direct payment under Livestock Premia and /or Arable Aid schemes would have been payable during...
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Following the introduction of the Single Payment Scheme last year, farmers now have the freedom to choose whatever farming enterprise is most appropriate to their circumstances. Under the agreement on reform of the EU sugar regime, the Single Payment Scheme is being extended to cover sugar beet compensation. The sugar reform agreement also provides for the introduction of aid for...
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Council Regulation EC No. 1973/2004 provides that any agricultural raw material with the exception of Jerusalem artichokes or chicory roots may be grown on set-aside land, provided that they are intended primarily for use in the production of the end products referred to in Annex 1 of the Regulation, which include products intended for energy purposes.
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: There is considerable potential for the use of forestry-based biomass, such as thinnings, as a source of renewable energy. A pilot study is underway in Co. Clare, with funding from my Department, on the feasibility of establishing a locally-based wood fuel economy. COFORD, the National Council for Forest Research and Development, is conducting trials on the harvesting, chipping and...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Revised Standard Costings which are used to calculate grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme were introduced by my Department on 9 August 2006. The revised Costings take into account, inter alia, recent increases in the price of steel. The revised Standard Costings will be applied to all letters of approval issued to applicants to commence investment works since 1 January 2006.
- Written Answers — Factory Closures: Factory Closures (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Under the EU regulations governing the EU restructuring aid for the sugar industry, decisions on the percentage of the aid to be reserved for growers and certain machinery contractors and related matters were required to be made by the Member States. Based on the recommendations of an independent expert appointed by the Government and following a rigorous public consultation process, the...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The tabular statement below sets out the numbers of 2005 Single Payment Scheme applications in each county with outstanding problems, which must be solved prior to payment. In common with the coupled schemes, which the Single Payment Scheme replaced, delays in processing can be caused by many factors, including incomplete application forms, errors on applications and discrepancies...
- Written Answers — Rural Development Plan: Rural Development Plan (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The new rural development programme will cover the period 2007 to 2013. A draft programme is currently being finalised and will issue for public consultation. It will also be subject to independent evaluation and a strategic environmental assessment. Following this process, the programme will be submitted for approval to the EU Commission. I have emphasised to the Commission the...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Sep 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the Single Payment Scheme National Reserve under Category D. This category caters for farmers who commenced farming after 31 December 2002 or who commenced farming in 2002 but who received no direct payments in respect of that scheme year. The person named is deemed successful under this category. A formal...