Results 15,181-15,200 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Irish Horseracing Authority: Irish Horseracing Authority (10 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The procedures employed by the Irish Horse Board Co-operative Society Limited, IHB, are solely a matter for the IHB and its members. It would not be appropriate for me to become involved in the day to day operations or decisions of that organisation. My sole role in the activities undertaken by the IHB is, in my capacity as the competent authority, to grant approval to the IHB to maintain the...

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (10 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: A statement of provisional entitlements has not yet issued to the person named. However, it would appear that the circumstances of this case are relevant to the inheritance measure of the single payment scheme. My Department has been in contact with the person named and has explained the requirements for completion and submission of the relevant application form. On receipt of the completed...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: A minimum of 20 income units from farming is required for grant applications under the on-farm investment schemes. The European Commission has repeatedly opposed any relaxation of the minimum income provision, despite several approaches from the Department of Agriculture and Food on the matter. The conditions of the farm waste management scheme, including the 20-income unit restriction, are...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: European Council Regulation 1782/2003, which governs the single payment scheme, stipulates that payments under the scheme will be made once a year, within the period from 1 December of the year of application to 30 June of the following year. The regulation also provides for advance payment circumstances to be decided by the European Commission, subject to the budgetary position. The Deputy...

Written Answers — Departmental Supports: Departmental Supports (9 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The group has received assistance from several public bodies. I support close co-ordination between the bodies and the group in making available their full range of expertise and assistance.

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (9 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The report of the organic development committee, which was published in April 2002, contained a number of recommendations to develop the organic sector in Ireland. The committee's main recommendations have been implemented, including the establishment of a national steering group. This group has met on eight occasions and continues to monitor the implementation of the other recommendations of...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (9 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Some 11,877 farmers in Mayo qualified for payments, totalling €25.6 million, under the area based compensatory allowance scheme in 2004. At present, all of County Mayo is classified as more severely handicapped under the current criteria for designating areas as disadvantaged: low land productivity, low economic returns and low or dwindling population. As part of the suggested rural...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Payment has issued this week in this case.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: A certificate of provisional entitlements under the single payment scheme issued to the person named on 18 November 2004. This statement included a detailed breakdown of how the provisional entitlements were calculated. Farmers are advised that if they are not satisfied that the statement is correct, they may seek a review by completing a provisional entitlements review form, which is...

Written Answers — State Shareholdings: State Shareholdings (9 Feb 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. It does not empower me to become involved in operational matters or ordinary business decisions made by the company. In...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: An application for afforestation grant aid on behalf of the person in question was refused by the forest service of my Department in February 2003 and again in April 2003 following an appeal by the applicant. The application was refused on environmental grounds.

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (9 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The statutory basis for a pilot scheme for the allocation of milk quota to farm managers, which requires the formation of a special type of milk production partnership, was put in place in 2003 and refined in 2004, through amendments to the milk quota regulations. I expect discussions on the relevant criteria and conditions will conclude in time to allow for the introduction of a pilot scheme...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: An application for consideration under the force majeure or exceptional circumstances criteria of the single payment regulations was submitted by the person named on 7 January 2004. Following consideration by the Department and the independent single payment appeals committee of the circumstances outlined, including additional information submitted, the Department is satisfied that force...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The position with regard to the 2005 single payment national reserve is that all applications are being processed at present. In view of the number of applications received and accompanying documentation submitted, it will be some time before processing is completed. The Deputy will appreciate, therefore, that it is not possible to indicate at this stage whether the person named will qualify...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person named received the following payments under the special beef premium scheme for the years 1997 to 2002: â'¬ 1997 3,144.06 1998 3,098.57 1999 2,633.46 2000 2,639.92 2001 2,618.20 2002 2,079 The person named received the following payments under the extensification premium for the years 1997 to 2002: â'¬ 1997 1,503.89 1998 1,026.13 1999 1,259.63 ...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: An application for consideration under the force majeure or exceptional circumstances measure of the single payment regulations was submitted by the person named on 22 January 2004. The person named has been notified that the circumstances outlined by him do not satisfy the criteria for force majeure or exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003. The...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The person named applied for consideration of force majeure or exceptional circumstances on 21 January 2004 on the grounds of an outbreak of TB and brucellosis during the reference period. Having fully examined the circumstances outlined by the person named, my Department is satisfied that force majuere circumstances should apply in this case. The year 2000 will be excluded and the years 2001...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (8 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I presented the Veterinary Practice Bill 2004 to Seanad Éireann on 27 October 2004. The Second Stage of the Bill was taken in the Seanad on 4 November 2004 during which Senators made a number of useful contributions. I am reflecting on a number of amendments suggested by Senators and on recommendations made to me by interested parties including those from Veterinary Ireland. It is my...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (8 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: My Department is currently completing a review of the scheme of early retirement from farming under the expenditure review process established by the Department of Finance in 1997 in the context of the strategic management initiative. The review, when completed, will be laid before the House. The purpose of the review is to analyse systematically whether the scheme is meeting its objectives...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (8 Feb 2005)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has no function in this matter. Matters relating to the registration of title are dealt with by the Land Registry.