Results 14,161-14,180 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application on 9 May 2005 for consideration of his circumstances under the second tranche of the force majeure-exceptional circumstances measure of the single payment scheme. Ill health of his new born son was cited on the application form as giving rise to the circumstances outlined. However, having examined the medical evidence furnished in support of the...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The control of avian influenza is governed by EU legislation. Council Directive 92/40/EEC requires that all suspected cases of avian influenza must be investigated and appropriate measures taken in case of confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI. To limit the spread, infected poultry must be killed in a humane way and disposed of safely. Feeding stuffs, contaminated equipment...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (31 May 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 keeping with the commitment given in the Sustaining Progress agreement, Ireland has already submitted proposals to the European Commission for a derogation from the general limits laid down in the nitrates directive which would allow farmers to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: As the person named did not lodge applications under the relevant livestock and arable schemes during the reference years 2000, 2001, 2002, no entitlements under the single payment scheme were established. Some 142,000 applications for the single payment scheme were received by my Department by the closing date of 16 May 2005. While processing of applications has commenced, it is not possible...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The position is that the case made by Ireland to the European Commission last November for reclassifying all the less severely handicapped townlands of County Monaghan to more severely handicapped status has been cleared through the approval process in Brussels. This means that under the disadvantaged areas scheme for 2005 and onwards, all forage land designated as lowland in County Monaghan...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application on 16 March 2005 for consideration of his circumstances under the second tranche of the force majeure exceptional circumstances measure of the single payment scheme. Ill health was cited on the application form as giving rise to the circumstances outlined. However, no details or medical evidence were furnished in support of the application. The person...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Compensation by the ESB for losses resulting from ESB power lines in forest plantations is a matter for negotiation between the landowner and the ESB. On 27 January 2005 the forest service of my Department provided the forest owner with a statement of the value of forest premium lost as a result of the power lines in his plantation. This statement was provided to facilitate his claim to the ESB.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application for consideration in respect of both the new entrant and inheritance measures of the single payment scheme after the reference period. Following processing of these applications it was deemed that the person named was not eligible as a new entrant as she commenced farming in 2003 after the reference period. To qualify for the inheritance measure one...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person named applied for consideration in respect of both new entrant during the reference period and inheritance measures of the single payment scheme. Following examination of the papers submitted, the person named was notified that his new entrant application was unsuccessful as no direct payments were paid to him during the reference years 2000 to 2002. I am pleased to advise that the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted two applications under the 2004 special beef/bull premium scheme, one on 11 February 2004, in respect of one animal, and one on 30 September 2004, in respect of nine animals. Under the EU regulations governing the 2004 special beef premium scheme a stocking density of 1.8 livestock units per hectare applies, based on the forage area declared on an applicant's area...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (26 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Some 1,036 of the herd owners in County Clare who applied for more than 25 animals have now been paid interim balancing payments, based on an estimated quota overshoot. The total value of the interim balances is €1,542,477.38. The definitive position regarding the extent by which the national ceiling has been exceeded and the exact quota reduction will be established when all applications...

Written Answers — Sugar Beet Production: Sugar Beet Production (26 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The EU Commission outlined its initial ideas for reform of the EU sugar regime in a communication to the Council and the European Parliament last July. The communication was the subject of technical discussions at Council working group level in Brussels and there was a policy debate at the Council's Agriculture Ministers meeting in November. The European Commission's initial ideas for reform...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (25 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I am conscious of the need to manage in an orderly way the redeployment of the 400 staff being released between now and January 2006 and a number of steps have been taken in this regard. In early 2004, following discussions with the unions and staff associations, my Department adopted a policy of recruiting only temporary staff to fill vacancies, where possible and appropriate. As a result,...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (25 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The report of the national task force on obesity is to be welcomed and I congratulate John Treacy and his team on their professional approach to their task. Obesity is an immensely important issue for the future health of our society. It demands a multi-faceted response, including a proactive approach by the food industry. As the report bears out, there is no single or simple solution to...

Written Answers — Farm Input Costs: Farm Input Costs (25 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The cost of fuel and energy, driven by international oil prices, is an issue for all parts of the economy, including the agriculture sector. The CSO wholesale price index fell by 2.3% in the 12 months to March 2005 but within this auto diesel costs increased by 18.6% and gas oil increased by 35.5%. These changes in fuel prices have contributed to recent increases in the consumer price index....

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (25 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The priority for the Irish food industry must be the development of innovative high quality food products meeting the highest standards of traceability and food safety. The industry's traditional reliance on commodity exports has reduced in the past decade as a prepared consumer foods industry has been developed with EU and national assistance. The National Development Plan 2000-2006 includes...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (25 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Teagasc has an ongoing programme of research that is investigating the potential risks and benefits associated with the growing of GM crops in Ireland including, inter alia, the economic implications. Preliminary research completed to date indicates that the cultivation of certain crops with certain modifications may provide a financial incentive to the individual Irish farmer. While strands...

Written Answers — Departmental Shareholdings: Departmental Shareholdings (25 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: As Minister I hold a special share in Greencore plc. That share has the same monetary value as any other share in the company but has conditions attached which prevent the company from engaging in a number of activities without the prior written consent of the Minister. In summary, the special share prevents the disposal of the controlling interest in Irish Sugar Ltd. or a certain percentage...

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (25 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: In general, the rate of on-farm inspection required for cross compliance under the single payment scheme is 1% of those farmers to whom the relevant statutory management requirement or good agricultural and environmental conditions apply. However at least 5% of producers must be inspected under the animal identification and registration requirements, as this level is prescribed under the...

Written Answers — Animal Feedstuffs: Animal Feedstuffs (25 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: There were two separate incidents, in the four week period from 18 October to 11 November 2004, in which traces of terrestrial animal bone were found in samples of imported feed material. The affected feed material and associated compound feed was subsequently impounded, recalled, where necessary, and detained by my Department. The first incident refers to two consignments of sugar beet pulp,...