Results 15,301-15,320 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Beef Exports: Beef Exports (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I was particularly pleased to announce the reopening of the Algerian market last October. This followed intensive efforts over a prolonged period and efforts are continuing to further develop this market. Indeed there are indications that the range of product will be expanded to include frozen beef in the coming months. Although the Egyptian market has reopened for imports of Irish beef,...

Written Answers — Export Subsidies: Export Subsidies (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The framework agreement for the next WTO round commits member countries to agree detailed rules, including an end date, for the parallel elimination of all forms of export subsides and for the introduction of disciplines on all export measures with equivalent effect. This approach should ensure equal competition on the world market for all exporters. The final terms of the new WTO agreement...

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 69 together. The force majeure procedure for the single farm payment scheme is implemented by my Department in accordance with the provisions of Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003. Eligible applicants under this measure can have their entitlements based on an average of one or two years during the reference period — 2000, 2001 and...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I have not been in contact with the Department of Finance about re-instating roll-over relief on land acquired by compulsory purchase orders.

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The rate of pension payable under the 1994 scheme of early retirement from farming is the maximum amount provided for by the EU Council regulation under which the scheme was introduced. The regulation does not provide for indexation of payments. My Department's proposals for the current early retirement scheme, which commenced on 27 November 2000 and is one of the measures in the CAP rural...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The last grant payment made by my Department in respect of the Rooskey plant in County Roscommon was in June 1997. My Department, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, is examining the position regarding contingent liabilities arising from the plant's closure. The process of recovery of any amounts identified as due will follow upon completion of this exercise.

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The rate of pension payable under the 1994 scheme of early retirement from farming is the maximum amount provided for by the EU Council regulation under which the scheme was introduced. My Department's proposals for the current early retirement scheme, which commenced on 27 November 2000 and is one of the measures in the CAP rural development plan for the period 2000-06, included provision...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 55 together. Beef imports into the European Union from third countries must have been sourced, first in countries and second in premises, that are currently listed and approved by the European Commission and which are subject to veterinary audits by the EU's Food and Veterinary Office. In addition, such imports are subject to checks laid down in the...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Under the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1965 it is unlawful to castrate a male bovine over six months of age without the use of an anaesthetic. It is the responsibility of the owners of farm animals to ensure that animals on their farms do not endure unnecessary pain or suffering. On an ongoing basis, my Department seeks to ensure that optimum animal welfare standards apply on farms.

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: European Council Regulation 1782/2003 governing the single payment scheme provides that each member state must set up a national reserve using between 1% and 3% of every individual farmer's entitlements. A single payment advisory group comprising representatives from the farming organisations, Teagasc and officials from my Department has been set up to advise on the national reserve. A 3%...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Government's position on GMOs was adopted arising from the report of the interdepartmental group on modern biotechnology, published in October 2000, which recommended a positive but precautionary approach towards GMOs and biotechnology in general. I acknowledge the potential benefits from the use of modern biotechnology. However, it is critically important that the approval of GMOs is...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Veterinary Practice Bill 2004 was presented to Seanad Éireann on 22 October 2004. The Second Stage debate took place on 4 November 2004 and I wish to progress the remaining stages so that the Bill can be considered by Dáil Éireann and a new regime for governance of the practice in Ireland of veterinary medicine can come into effect as soon as possible. I also hope that the Land Bill...

Written Answers — Mental Health Issues: Mental Health Issues (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the pamphlet referred to by the Deputy, which has been produced by the IFA in association with VHI Healthcare. The pamphlet is a most useful initiative to assist farmers and I welcome it.

Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of the opinion of the European Food Safety Authority in respect of the risks from a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy perspective arising from the spreading of organic fertilizer derived from category 2 and category 3 animal by-products on land. The European Union provisions relating to the disposal of all animal by-products are laid down in Council Regulation 1774/2002. In...

Written Answers — Meat Industry: Meat Industry (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: According to CSO statistics, some 13,000 tonnes of beef, 60% of which originated within the EU, were imported into Ireland in 2003. It should be noted that imports might include the re-import of Irish product originally exported from this country. Imports from other member states may include imports of meat product already in free circulation in the EU but which originated in third countries...

Written Answers — Sugar Quota: Sugar Quota (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Under the current EU sugar regime, which runs until 30 June 2006, there is no provision for the buying and selling of sugar quotas and, therefore, the question of quota ownership does not arise. The current EU regulations stipulate that the national sugar quota must be allocated to the sugar manufacturing enterprises in the member state. Accordingly, the entire Irish sugar quota has been...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 49 and 76 together. Consumers should be in a position to make food consumption choices which best suit their circumstances and preferences. An appropriate labelling system is a key element in bringing this about. There have been a number of positive developments in the area of food labelling, most of which emanated from the report of the food labelling...

Written Answers — Water Quality: Water Quality (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I refer the Deputy to my reply of 9 December 2004 in which I dealt in detail with the various issues raised in this question. In my response I referred to the concerns expressed by the Carra-Mask-Corrib water protection group and to a meeting held on 24 November 2004 with various Ministers, including me, to discuss the situation regarding the western lakes. Since then, a further meeting was...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has been aware, from an early stage in the negotiations on the single farm payment scheme, that it had potential implications for farmers who had joined one or other of the early retirement schemes. Those issues were repeatedly raised by Ireland in the course of the negotiations and we secured agreement on certain measures to address them. In general, the new single payment...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (27 Jan 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The Government decentralisation programme allowed for the decentralisation of my Department's headquarters to Portlaoise, the laboratories at Model Farm Road, Cork, and two laboratories in Limerick to Macroom and the Cork city and Mallow local offices to Fermoy. In November 2004, the decentralisation implementation group, DIG, presented its report to the Minister for Finance on the selection...