Results 13,381-13,400 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I have not taken a decision on the future of the early retirement scheme. The EU Council regulation covering the current scheme will expire in December 2006. The Council regulation on rural development for the period from 2007 to 2013 again includes provision for member states to operate early retirement measures. No decisions have yet been taken regarding the schemes to be operated in...

Written Answers — Environmental Pollution: Environmental Pollution (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 190 together. From 1995 to 1998 the reported animal disease problems in the Askeaton area were the subject of a comprehensive multi-agency investigation under the auspices of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA. A number of interim reports detailing the progress of the investigations were published, while the final report of this investigation was...

Written Answers — Veterinary Inspection Service: Veterinary Inspection Service (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 157, 158 and 169 together. I have outlined in detail to the House on a number of occasions the circumstances surrounding this unusual case. I wish to restate the key aspects. First, the actions by my Department at the time were designed to protect public health by ensuring that animals treated with a prohibited substance did not enter the food chain. Second,...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 430 together. I presume the Deputy is referring to the genetically modified oilseed rape, known as GT73, which was authorised by the European Commission last August for importation and placing on the market within the EU for use in animal feed and industrial purposes. The authorisation of this product took place within an EU legislative framework that...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The redeployment of staff is being actively managed within my Department to ensure that the service levels for our clients in existing schemes are maintained and that the preparations for the introduction of the single payment scheme are progressed satisfactorily. To this end, many staff who are being freed from the livestock and premium schemes have been transferred, on a temporary basis, to...

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The agreement on the mid-term review of Agenda 2000 provided a financial envelope to each member state. This envelope represented the average value of livestock and arable aid premia paid in the member state during the three year reference period 2000-2002, calculated at 2002 rates of payment. The outcome, which will reshape the Common Agricultural Policy and secure its future in making it...

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The single payment scheme has been implemented in Ireland for the first time in 2005. It replaces the livestock premia schemes and arable aid scheme in place until this year. I was determined to ensure that all potential applicants who farmed during the three year reference period of 2000-2002, or their successors, would be given every opportunity to apply under the single payment scheme. My...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Taking account of the issues addressed in the Crosby report, I sought approval of the EU Commission under state aid rules to make additional payments to the flockowners concerned. I have now received approval from the Commission and my Department will shortly make the necessary arrangements for processing payments on foot of applications that may be received.

Written Answers — Farm Accidents: Farm Accidents (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 189 together. I am very concerned about the level of safety on our farms and I support wholeheartedly the work of the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, which is the State authority charged with overall responsibility for promotion of workplace health and safety. I look forward to the launch next Thursday, 17 November, of the code of practice for the...

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 180 together. For 2006, I decided last June, following extensive consultation, that the modulated funds should be used on a once-off payment under the disadvantaged areas scheme. Following contact with the European Commission, that decision has recently been confirmed. My decision reflects the importance of the disadvantaged areas scheme in ensuring...

Written Answers — EU Sugar Regime: EU Sugar Regime (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Under the EU sugar regime, each member state has a quota for manufactured sugar. There is no quota for sugar beet. The EU regulations stipulate that the quota must be made available to the sugar manufacturing enterprises in the member state. Accordingly, in Ireland the entire sugar quota is processed by Irish Sugar Limited, which is the only sugar manufacturer in this country. Irish Sugar...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The 24 European directives to be implemented by my Department are set out in the following schedule. Four of these directives are overdue for transposition. Council Directive 2004/117/EC 22 December 2004 amending Directives 66/401/EEC, 66/402/EEC, 2002/54/EC, 2002/55/EC and 2002/57/EC as regards examinations carried out under official supervision and equivalence of seed produced in third...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The designation of land under the EU birds and habitats directives is a function of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The question of compensation for farmers in the Shannon Callows area is a matter, in the first instance, for that Department, and I understand discussions on the matter with the farming bodies have been going on for some time and are still...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: In accordance with EU rules, the registration of plant protection products containing atrazine for non-essential uses was withdrawn on 10 September 2005. The remaining essential uses, weed control in maize and in forestry, will be withdrawn by 30 June 2007. Similarly the registration of plant protection products containing simazine for non-essential uses was withdrawn on 10 September 2005....

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (15 Nov 2005)

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. In October 2004, Ireland submitted proposals for a derogation from the general organic nitrogen limit of 170 kg per hectare per annum laid down in the nitrates directive. The proposal was designed to allow farmers to operate, under appropriate...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The regulation of food safety will be simplified under the new food hygiene legislation which comes into effect from 1 January 2006. This legislation consolidates and updates 17 EU regulations and directives which will be repealed next January. However, food safety is non-negotiable and our experience is that consumer confidence is essential for the development of the food industry. It...

Written Answers — EU Sugar Regime: EU Sugar Regime (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Commissions proposals for reform of the sugar regime are currently the subject of intensive discussions in Brussels and will be the main item on the agenda of next week's Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting. My objections to the Commission's proposals are well known and I remain resolute in seeking to achieve a more balanced arrangement which will take Ireland's interests into...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The joint committee's examination of the early retirement scheme provided a welcome opportunity to air a wide range of issues and this in itself has been helpful in clarifying the position. I have provided a detailed response to the report. Regrettably, there are a number of the committee's recommendations that I have not been able to accept. They are precluded by elements of the EU...

Written Answers — Food Production: Food Production (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to answer Question Nos. 179, 464, 465 and 466 together. Detailed EU legislation lays down the conditions that member states must apply to the production of and trade in food products of animal origin, including fish, as well as to imports of these products from third countries. Under harmonized legislation a series of health and supervisory requirements are applied in the member...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (15 Nov 2005)

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. At the end of July, his Department formally submitted Ireland's national action programme under the directive to the European Commission. The next step is for the Minister to make regulations to give legal effect to the action programme. My...