Results 13,441-13,460 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

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

Mary Coughlan: My Department provides community financial assistance to recognised producer organisations towards the cost of implementation of approved operational programmes in accordance with EU Regulations 2200/96 and 1433/2003. Programmes are for three or five year periods and on completion further programmes may be submitted. Claims for financial assistance are usually made on an annual basis for each...

Written Answers — Agricultural Prices: Agricultural Prices (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The most recent statistics, published by EUROSTAT for June 2005, show the percentage change in the index of producer prices of agricultural production by member state compared to the same month the previous year. The results show that the index fell in the EU by 8% and in Ireland by 3.3%. Ireland had the eighth lowest decrease, with only Slovenia and Lithuania recording increases. The prices...

Written Answers — Sugar Beet Industry: Sugar Beet Industry (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The provisional estimate for sugar beet plantings in 2005 is approximately 31,000 hectares, which is sufficient to fill the Irish sugar quota. Pending the outcome of the discussions on the sugar reform proposals, it is not possible to make predictions about the impact on future sugar beet plantings.

EU Negotiations. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Commission's proposals for reform of the EU sugar regime are the subject of intensive discussions in Brussels, both at ministerial and high-level official levels. The proposals will be the main item on the agenda for the three-day Council of Ministers meeting next week at which the UK Presidency will aim to achieve a political agreement on the issue, ahead of the WTO ministerial meeting...

EU Negotiations. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Both the Commission and my legal advice indicate that ownership of the quota is such that it is not an asset but a methodology used to regulate the market.

EU Negotiations. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: That is the answer to the first of the Deputy's questions. The golden share has nothing to do with this issue, save in the event that permission is sought by the company from me for the sale of an asset. The Commission had the same concerns as the Government about the ownership of the quota. On that basis, the Commission's formula is based on the restructuring fund, which is paid by those who...

EU Negotiations. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I have met my Polish counterpart. Poland is one of the 11 member states on the blocking minority that is presently——

EU Negotiations. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: We have met on several occasions and the Poles have joined the blocking minority. The Poles have different concerns from ours. Ireland is in a unique position in that there is only one processing factory. Ireland has a special case on the right to produce sugar. However, if the proposals to reduce the price of sugar by 39% and sugar beet by 42% go ahead, I have been advised by farmers that...

Animal and Plant Diseases. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Ireland's high animal and plant health status underpins food safety and is central to the viability of our agriculture industry and our ability to trade. To this end, the Department of Agriculture and Food applies comprehensive control systems to the threats posed by pests and disease to both animal and plant health and, as a consequence, to human health. Sustained programmes are operated,...

Animal and Plant Diseases. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Unfortunately, the answer to the question was long. The Deputy spoke of the New Zealand model where a biosecurity unit in its agriculture ministry reports to the ministry's director general. However, I do not believe there is a need to have such a unit in Ireland. The New Zealand model is different because it is an island——

Animal and Plant Diseases. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: It does not have the supports of the EU, the Commission's food and veterinary office or the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. We have EU and Irish legislation while the New Zealand model is based on what it must do on its own. The Department of Agriculture and Food is the lead Department in dealing with animal and plant disease outbreaks. It provides a specific co-ordinating role and...

Animal and Plant Diseases. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: It is important that a Department takes the lead on this issue. The Department of Agriculture and Food will deal specifically with the issue in question. Without a shadow of a doubt, constructive and significant contributions from other Departments and agencies are welcome. The Department is always ready to reassess the adequacy of our biosecurity measures. Our biosecurity arrangements will...

Food Imports. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The practice referred to by the Deputy is banned.

Food Imports. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Perhaps the Deputy should read the European document regarding substantial transformation. I was the only Member who put this issue forward without the support I am now receiving.

EU Funding. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The proposed EU rural development funding for 2007 to 2013 will form part of the overall EU budget or financial perspective for the same period. Decisions on the overall amount and its allocations will be taken in that context. The rural development regulation No. 1698/2005 adopted in September confirms this situation and provides that the distribution of funding between member states will be...

EU Funding. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: That does not form part of my portfolio. It is a matter for the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív. Two Ministers and their Departments are working on this rural development regulation. The Deputy should put his suggestion to the other Minister.

EU Funding. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: We are.

EU Funding. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: People have read about the consultation process currently taking place with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Concerning funding, as we did not have a decision on financial perspectives, it is unfortunate that I do not know exactly how much money we have but we have political agreement on the scheme and are proceeding on that basis. The Deputy is correct in that there...

EU Funding. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: A rule on minimum expenditure has been agreed, which is 10% for competitiveness, 25% for the environment and 10% for the wider rural economy. Leader, part of Deputy Ó Cuív's portfolio, will address these issues. We have witnessed a significant increase in the number of artisans. On the basis of decoupling, we will see future investment in the food industry, which I would like to happen in...

EU Funding. (15 Nov 2005)

Mary Coughlan: He must.