Results 12,261-12,280 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

EU Directives. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The Commission investigated the matter last June and found that, despite the measures previously introduced, the 60% under the commonage framework plan did not work. On that basis, they went beyond the plan. It may be appropriate for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the national parks and wildlife service to hold further discussions with the farmers on...

Export Refunds. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Irish beef exports in 2005 stood at 487,000 tonnes. All these exports went to the UK and continental Europe except for 35,000 tonnes which went to third countries, mainly Russia. While the beef industry has in recent years become less reliant on third countries, these markets are important for specific cuts at particular times of the year. Third country beef exports attract export refunds. At...

Export Refunds. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I concur with the Deputy on a number of issues. France was the only state to support the argument I made at the last Council meeting that the removal of the pre-financing of export refunds is not appropriate at this time for two reasons. First, following the Court of Auditors investigation in 2003, we streamlined our procedures. Second, from a political and tactical point of view, it means...

Export Refunds. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: We will raise the issue in the beef management committee and consider the adverse effect this will have. On the basis of our meat exports per se, the majority goes to the European community and the United Kingdom in particular. In our preparedness to deal with the impact of change in the market as a consequence of the WTO, the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food,...

Live Exports. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: They did, and they had comfortable seats.

Sugar Industry. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Throughout the negotiations on reform of the EU sugar regime, my primary objective was to seek to have the Commission's proposals modified to ensure the continuation of an efficient sugar processing sector in Ireland. I had several meetings with the Commissioner in that regard and Ireland played an active role in a group of 11 member states which had common cause in seeking to modify the...

Sugar Industry. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: If the Deputy wanted to know what meetings I had with Greencore he should have asked the question. That is not the question that was asked. I have had several discussions with Greencore and its representatives, as I have had with farming organisations and people in the localities affected by the reforms. I have met Deputies and Senators from all sides and contractors and as many people as...

Sugar Industry. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: That is pathetic, Deputy. It is as pathetic as the Deputy's telephone call to me on 15 March.

Sugar Industry. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I will answer the latter question first. The question of whether to grow sugar beet for bioethanol is a matter for farmers and people who might want to be involved in the activity on a commercial basis.

Sugar Industry. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: When Deputy Kehoe is on this side of the House he can spout——

Sugar Industry. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: ——about how he would have saved the sugar industry. He could not have done so because nobody could.

Sugar Industry. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: The consequences of this regime have been severe. Some 11 closures have taken place in countries where the impact statement did not anticipate this. I met people at the marts in Wexford who are involved in alternative energy and energy crops. This should be considered in the context of the diversification of the sugar industry. We should not underestimate the impact this has on the people the...

Sugar Industry. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: An impact study was carried out by the Commission, which indicated that in a number of countries this measure would have an adverse effect. Ireland was one of these countries, the others were Finland, Portugal, Italy and Spain. Alternatives are being considered and a considerable amount of money has been made available for research into alternatives. This has been done in conjunction with the...

Grant Payments. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: Some 17,500 farmers submitted applications to the national reserve but when account is taken of the number of farmers who applied under two or more categories over 23,000 files have to be processed. While much work has been done in processing the vast majority of the applications, none of the applications has yet been processed to finality with national reserve allocations attributed. Some...

Grant Payments. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I wish to again advise the House that in November or December of last year I indicated my priority was the single farm payment and this was the basis for delaying work on the national reserve. My view at that time, which was correct, was that the single farm payment should be dealt with as quickly as possible. With regard to the national reserve, the decision will be available within the next...

Grant Payments. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I am preparing for a possible onslaught following the letters being posted out. Unsuccessful applicants will naturally feel aggrieved but an appeals process will be available to them. I will ensure the resources will be in place so people can have a discussion about their application. I assume the successful applicants will be happy enough and will be able to proceed.

Grant Payments. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I know the Deputy will also be doing that. I appreciate that disappointed applicants will have concerns. Much work has been done on the basis of the mandatory criteria set down and in particular with regard to the special criteria set down by the Department. I do not agree the transfer from Davitt House to Port Laoise has undermined the work. The Department has been meticulous in its...

Grant Payments. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I will make that announcement within the fortnight.

Milk Quota. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I recently announced my intention to move to a more open market system for transferring milk quotas, which will come into effect on 1 April 2007. I made this decision because the current restructuring model will not meet the future needs of the industry and a more effective response is required to meet future competitive pressures. This is crucial given the growing competition faced by the...

Milk Quota. (29 Mar 2006)

Mary Coughlan: I totally refute the Deputy's little petty political snipe. It would be much more overcoming and overbearing if I had not done something about the dairy industry. That industry has decreased its capacity during the past nine years by 11,000 farmers. If we are to have a sustainable dairy sector, we need to do something about it. Two years ago I made an announcement in consultation with all the...