Results 11,381-11,400 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — World Trade Talks: World Trade Talks (6 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The current negotiations on a new WTO Agreement, which cover a broad trade liberalisation agenda, have been under way since they were launched in Doha in November 2001. Significant progress towards concluding an agreement was made in the Framework Agreement which was reached in August 2004 and at the Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong in December 2005. A further WTO Ministerial meeting, held...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (6 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The following table sets out the number of farmers in each county whose payments under the 2005 Single Payment Scheme had issued by 5 July 2006. The number of applications with outstanding problems, which must be solved prior to payment, is also set out. Payments are continuing to issue to farmers as their applications are processed to completion, in accordance with the EU legislation...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 520 and 526 together. My Department engages approximately 700 part-time Temporary Veterinary Inspectors (TVIs) to augment the permanent Veterinary Inspectors employed by my Department at EU export-approved meat plants. TVIs are engaged to carry out duties as and when required by the permanent Veterinary Inspector in charge at each such plant. I have no...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (6 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The details sought by the Deputy in relation to the value of advertising placed by the Department each year since 2002 is set out as follows: Advertising — 2002 € Advertising (including display/general advertising and Statutory Notices) 638,440 Promotional videos for disease eradication and beef assurance schemes 3,086 Total 641,526 Advertising — 2003 € ...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (6 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The facilities are provided by the Dublin Airport Authority in order to enable my Department carry out its statutory functions for the protection of animal and public health and food safety. The airport facilities include office, interview and examination areas for the operation of control checks by Department personnel on: —personal import of animal products by passengers; —the licensed...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (6 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The senior Departmental group, which has been examining forestry strategy, has largely completed its review and the content of its report is being finalized at present. While it is not planned to publish this report in the formal sense, it is my intention, once the report has been considered, that it will be made available to interested parties on request.

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (6 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Plans for the introduction of a scheme to support the planting of willow are at an advanced stage, but will require EU approval. I am also aware of renewed interest among some producers in growing 'miscanthus' as a feedstock for bioenergy purposes. My Department has received a number of proposals for the introduction of establishment grants for miscanthus and these are currently being...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (6 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: My Department is the competent authority in Ireland for the enforcement of EU legislation regarding genetically modified (GM) animal feed. The authorization and labelling of GM feed is governed by the GM Food and Feed Regulation (EC No.) 1829/2003. The labelling terms non GM and GM free are not defined in EU legislation and are terms that are used voluntarily by the feed industry. However,...

Written Answers — Sugar Beet Sector: Sugar Beet Sector (6 Jul 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 — Nitrates Directive: Nitrates Directive (6 Jul 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 Minister, Deputy Roche, sent proposals to the European Commission in May for amendments to the Regulations he had made in December 2005 giving legal effect to Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme. The new proposals, which the Minister has...

Written Answers — Beef Exports: Beef Exports (6 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: In the current WTO discussions in the Council, I have pressed very strongly the non-trade aspect of market access, which I regard as a crucial element in the overall negotiations. I have taken every opportunity to remind the Commission of the importance of equivalence in standards, particularly in relation to all exporting countries, including Brazil. As a member of the EU and the World Trade...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (6 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The position is that the possible extension of Ireland's Disadvantaged Areas to include the Border midland Western region was raised with the European Commission in 2003 and in early 2004. The Commission cautioned however, that a formal request for an extension of the Disadvantaged Areas could lead to Ireland being asked for justification as to whether or not all if its existing areas...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The person named established 27.31 entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme based on the livestock premia claimed during the 2000 to 2002 reference years and was paid his Single Farm Payment on 1 December 2005. The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the Single Payments Scheme National Reserve under category C. Category C caters for farmers who,...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The person named is an applicant for grant-aid under the Alternative Enterprises Scheme. Payment of €8,443.20 will be made by my Department to the person concerned shortly.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the Single Payments Scheme National Reserve under category C. Category C caters for farmers who, between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003, sold the milk quota into the Milk Quota Restructuring Scheme and converted their enterprise to a farming sector for which a direct payment under Livestock Premia or Arable...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The review of forestry legislation under way at present is concentrating on the operational provisions of the various Acts. Because of this, the main focus is on the 1946 Act but the 1988 Act is not excluded, insofar as it deals with operational matters such as, for example, the level of penalties. The role of Coillte is ultimately a matter for Government to decide and any changes to the...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day to day operational matters are the responsibility of the company. The exchange of land is a matter of an operational nature for Coillte. I am advised, however, that there were three land exchanges by the company since the commencement of 2003. I would suggest that the Deputy contact the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Control of Horses Act, 1996, was introduced to address the problem of wandering horses, mainly in urban areas. The Act assigns to local authorities the primary role for dealing with wandering horses. The Minister is empowered by the Act to make grants available to local authorities towards the expenses they incur in its implementation. These would include the establishment and maintenance...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application under the 2005 Single Payment Scheme on 13 May 2005. A payment of EUR 2,628.43 issued to the applicant on 29 December 2005 and this was based on the 5.79 entitlements established by him in the 2000 to 2002 reference years for the Single Payment. An applicant can only be paid on the number of entitlements held even if he declared additional hectares.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (5 Jul 2006)

Mary Coughlan: As announced by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Wallace, on 22 May 2006, funding of €1.123 million was approved for 36 projects for the further promotion and development of sustainable forestry. In relation to the specific application referred to by the Deputy, I can confirm that the application has been considered, and that my Department will be in touch with the applicant...