Results 18,861-18,880 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Water Meters: Water Meters (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: Question 210: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the installation of water meters on farms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40746/06]

Noise Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: I thank my colleagues for the opportunity to raise an issue regarding this Bill. I welcome the Bill and I am glad the Government is accepting it in principle. I want to focus on the Road Traffic Act 2002. Deputy Gilmore and I contributed to the debate on Committee Stage on this legislation with the then Minister of State with responsibility for road safety, Bobby Molloy. We managed to have...

Biotechnological Inventions. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: To follow Deputy Upton's comments, there is concern within the scientific sector that heretofore, Science Foundation Ireland was more focussed on the high technology end of the spectrum than on developing Ireland's strengths in respect of food production and the growth of crops such as those mentioned by Deputy Upton. Has the Minister of State met representatives of Science Foundation...

Food Processing Sectors. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: I am glad to see that the Minister's backbench colleagues are coming in to support her. It is either that Deputies Upton and Crawford and I are doing a good job or there is a lack of communication within the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party — I do not know which is the case. We all agree on the need for reform within the processing sector in this country and I hope these funds will spur on...

Milk Testing. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: I thank the Minister of State for her reply but when will we see that happening? That is the key issue. Everyone in the House has met dairy farmers around the country who have raised serious concerns about protein in milk. The results do not seem to tally with what they should be. When will the Minister ensure we will have transparency concerning milk analysis? Many farmers believe such...

Milk Testing. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: That is the problem.

EU Directives. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: I thank the Minister for her reply but how will she ensure the guttering item will be in place by 1 January 2007, which is the legal requirement, as she knows? That seems to be the big difficulty. For many small farmers rainwater management will be as big an issue, if not bigger, than slurry management. It is frustrating for farmers because they must pay for water supplies to their farms,...

EU Directives. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: No. I am talking about the specifications.

EU Directives. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: I wish to return to the questions I asked earlier. Will the Minister ensure storage specifications are made available regarding clean water storage? She is correct that rainwater is not part of the system at the moment, but if it happens to fall on the ground it becomes soiled water and becomes part of the specifications, which we wish to avoid this as much as possible. If the Minister is...

EU Directives. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: Why did the Minister not issue the booklets to farmers then?

EU Directives. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: Not all farmers read the Irish Farmers' Journal; look at the circulation figures.

EU Directives. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: Until it lands.

EU Directives. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: I am tempted to say something but I will not.

EU Directives. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: Question 1: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to address the burden of inspections on farmers under the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40724/06]

EU Directives. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: Is it not the case that in 2002 the then Minister for Agriculture and Food stated that the nitrates directive, first, would be based purely on science, which we know is not the case and, second, would allow adequate time for phased compliance by farmers? Will the Minister explain how adequate time is being provided to farmers when, within a couple of weeks the information booklet was...

EU Directives. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: The reality is that farmers are confused and have not been given adequate time to comprehend these regulations. Inspections are taking place but at the same time farmers are supposed to be compliant. In many parts of the country, the explanatory meetings are only now taking place. Why are the Department's inspectors not prepared to inform farmers of the criteria being used for the...

EU Directives. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: It is the factual position.

EU Directives. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: Tolerances are not much good to farmers when they do not know what is going on.

EU Directives. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: Since last week.

EU Directives. (29 Nov 2006)

Denis Naughten: They should have been given the information before the inspections took place, not after they took place.