Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

467 Questions— 22 February 2005. Written Answers 468[Mary Coughlan.]dates must be between 1 September 2004 and 30April 2005.In choosing the starting date for a parcel a personwill need to be mindful of declarations inrespect of that parcel for 2004. In 2004 forage parcelshad to be available and accessible for rearinganimals for a seven months period commencingbetween 1 January 2004 and 31 March 2004. Careshould be taken that there is no overlappingbetween the ending of the seven months periodfor 2004 and the beginning of the ten monthsperiod for the 2005. In the case of parcelsdeclared in 2004 for arable aid the ten monthsperiod for 2005 single payment scheme shouldnot commence until after harvesting of the 2004crops. Also, in the case of rented or leased landsthere should be no overlapping between the endingof a rental agreement or lease for 2004 andthe commencement of the ten months period for2005.It will not be possible, for the reasons outlinedto automatically set 1 September 2004 as the startdate for all parcels. Some farmers will, however,be free to commence afforestation after 1 July2005 on parcels declared for the 2005 single paymentscheme where they have indicated a validstart date of 1 September 2004.WTO Talks.301. Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agricultureand Food his views on a submission(details supplied); his plans to address the submissionin regard to the WTO talks; and if shewill make a statement on the matter. [5948/05]Minister for Agriculture and Food (MaryCoughlan): The negotiations on the new WTOround are taking place under the mandate,known as the Doha Development Agenda,agreed at the WTO ministerial conference inDoha in November 2001. This mandate providesthat special and differential treatment fordeveloping countries will be an integral elementof all aspects of the agriculture negotiations. Significantprogress was made towards concluding anew round with the framework agreement agreedin Geneva in August 2004. The framework agreementrecognises the critical importance of agricultureto the economic development ofdeveloping countries and the need to allow themto pursue agricultural policies that are supportiveof their development goals, poverty reductionstrategies, food security and livelihood concerns.The framework agreement sets out, in broad outline,the terms of special and differential treatmentwhich will apply to developing countries inthe form of longer implementation periods andless demanding commitments than will apply todeveloped countries. Negotiations on details arecontinuing with a view to reaching a conclusionat the WTO ministerial conference in Hong Kongin December 2005. I fully support the approachto assisting developing countries outlined in theDoha Development Agenda and the frameworkagreement.Garda Investigations.302. Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice,Equality and Law Reform his position in relationto the arrest of a person (details supplied) as partof the investigation into a series of robberies atDublin Port in recent years. [5610/05]Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform(Mr. McDowell): I am informed by the Gardaauthorities that the person in question wasarrested and detained in respect of an offenceunconnected with the Dublin Port robberies andwas subsequently released without charge.Garda Complaints Procedures.303. Mr. Gregory asked the Minister forJustice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfiedhimself that the allegations made by a person(details supplied) in Dublin 7 regarding amember of the Garda Síochána which have beenwidely reported in the media, have been fully andproperly investigated; and if he will make a statementon the matter. [5637/05]Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform(Mr. McDowell): I have been informed by theGarda authorities that an investigation file in thiscase has been forwarded to the Director of PublicProsecutions. As the Deputy will appreciate, Ihave no official responsibility to the Dáil in thismatter which is one for the Director of PublicProsecutions who is independent in his function.Inquiries into Garda Activities.304. Mr. Costello asked the Minister forJustice, Equality and Law Reform if the Governmenthas accepted all the recommendations(details supplied) made in the first report of theMorris tribunal; the progress made to date inimplementing these recommendations; and if hewill make a statement on the matter. [5682/05]319. Mr. Costello asked the Minister forJustice, Equality and Law Reform if the Governmenthas accepted all the recommendations madein the first report of the Morris tribunal, includingthe need for a more pro-active role for Gardaheadquarters in the management of Garda divisions;the need for improved recording andreporting of incidents; the restoration of the practiceof members of inspector rank and abovekeeping daily official journals; the need for anurgent and independent review of policy on thehandling of informants; the need for a specificobligation on members of the Garda Síochána toaccount truthfully for any actions taken in thecourse of duty; the progress made to date inimplementing those recommendations; and if hewill make a statement on the matter. [5964/05]Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform(Mr. McDowell): I propose to take QuestionsNos. 304 and 319 together.