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<title>Brendan Smith - Recent appearances (From KildareStreet.com)</title>
<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/mp/?pid=258</link>
<description></description>
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<dc:date>2009-04-15T16:11:22+00:00</dc:date>

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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-26.2.0&amp;m=833#g7.0">
	<title>Requests to move Adjournment of D&Atilde;&iexcl;il under Standing Order 32 | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-26.2.0&amp;m=833#g7.0</link>
	<description>Just think of all the huffers and puffers. </description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="7.1">Just think of all the huffers and puffers. </p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-26T10:30:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.143.0&amp;m=833#g151.2">
	<title>Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.143.0&amp;m=833#g151.2</link>
	<description>Members of this House have also proposed a reduction in the number of years of participation in the scheme.  Although the suckler cow welfare scheme is entirely funded from the Exchequer, the...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="151.2">Members of this House have also proposed a reduction in the number of years of participation in the scheme.  Although the suckler cow welfare scheme is entirely funded from the Exchequer, the Government had to get state aid approval from the EU before it could be introduced.  Further approval would be needed from the Union if a major variation in the conditions of the scheme were to be made.  Any worthwhile proposals on the continuation of various aspects of the scheme will be considered.  For example, the amount of money paid to an applicant might vary depending on the number of eligible animals he or she has.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.143.0&amp;m=833#g149.2">
	<title>Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.143.0&amp;m=833#g149.2</link>
	<description>I can accept the valuable point that has been made by Deputy Creed about the need to modulate limited resources in a targeted manner.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="149.2">I can accept the valuable point that has been made by Deputy Creed about the need to modulate limited resources in a targeted manner.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.143.0&amp;m=833#g147.2">
	<title>Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.143.0&amp;m=833#g147.2</link>
	<description>I share Deputy Sherlock&acirc;€™s view that this is a good scheme.  It has proven beneficial during the year in which it has been in existence.  As I said in response to a question asked on a previous...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="147.2">I share Deputy Sherlockâ€™s view that this is a good scheme.  It has proven beneficial during the year in which it has been in existence.  As I said in response to a question asked on a previous occasion by Deputy Sherlock or Deputy Creed, it is intended to honour the commitment â€” to provide â‚¬250 million over five years â€” that was made when the suckler cow welfare scheme was introduced.  I reiterate that the scheme, which is designed to help farmers to adapt to market requirements, provides particular value.  I would like to be able to make a decision as soon as possible.  It will not be possible to make any decisions on the 2009 scheme in advance of the publication of the revised Book of Estimates for the Department, which will happen after the decisions that are made before 7 April are announced in this House on that date.  I remind the House that â‚¬31.75 million was paid out in respect of last yearâ€™s scheme up to the end of 2008.  I can confirm, in response to a question I was asked earlier, that the amount paid so far in 2009 is in excess of â‚¬14.6 million.  Therefore, the total amount paid to date under the 2008 scheme is almost â‚¬48 million.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.143.0&amp;m=833#g145.2">
	<title>Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.143.0&amp;m=833#g145.2</link>
	<description>I am not in a position to confirm that payments will continue to be made under the suckler cow welfare scheme.  The Government has decided, having regard to the urgent need to address the public...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="145.2">I am not in a position to confirm that payments will continue to be made under the suckler cow welfare scheme.  The Government has decided, having regard to the urgent need to address the public finances, to introduce a supplementary budget in the DÃ¡il on 7 April next.  Over 53,000 farmers applied for the suckler cow welfare scheme in 2008.  The estimated cost of the scheme for that year, at a rate of â‚¬80 per cow, is approximately â‚¬77 million.  As approximately â‚¬33 million had been spent by the end of 2008, a further â‚¬44 million has been provided in my Departmentâ€™s 2009 Estimate to pay for the remaining calves that were born in 2008.  Of the â‚¬44 million mentioned, over â‚¬14.5 million has already been paid to farmers in 2009.  Payments are continuing on a weekly basis as additional animals become eligible and certain application details are clarified with individual applicants.  It must be borne in mind that the money being paid to farmers under this scheme is an additional income stream â€” it was not there before last year.  All the funding in question is coming from the Exchequer.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.79.0&amp;m=833#g97.2">
	<title>Common Agricultural Policy. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.79.0&amp;m=833#g97.2</link>
	<description>Earlier I referred to the statement I issued in announcing this.  If the Deputy has an opportunity to read the final paragraph he will see there was a clear message.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="97.2">Earlier I referred to the statement I issued in announcing this.  If the Deputy has an opportunity to read the final paragraph he will see there was a clear message.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.79.0&amp;m=833#g92.2">
	<title>Common Agricultural Policy. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.79.0&amp;m=833#g92.2</link>
	<description>No.  The French have done it under Article 68 with a linear cut and it is not from the unused funds.  It is slightly different.  I know it is confusing.  I just want to emphasise that we have not...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="92.2">No.  The French have done it under Article 68 with a linear cut and it is not from the unused funds.  It is slightly different.  I know it is confusing.  I just want to emphasise that we have not yet got the specifics of what programmes will be eligible for consideration under the unused funds.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.79.0&amp;m=833#g90.2">
	<title>Common Agricultural Policy. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.79.0&amp;m=833#g90.2</link>
	<description>The Deputy may not have had a chance to read my press release of yesterday.  In the final paragraph I indicated that all sectors would be eligible for consideration for the unused funds.  In...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="90.2">The Deputy may not have had a chance to read my press release of yesterday.  In the final paragraph I indicated that all sectors would be eligible for consideration for the unused funds.  In particular I mentioned that mountain and lowland sheep production would be eligible for consideration under the unused and modulation funds.  As I said earlier we do not have the details of the scheme or proposals from Europe that would enable us to use the unused funds.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.79.0&amp;m=833#g87.2">
	<title>Common Agricultural Policy. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.79.0&amp;m=833#g87.2</link>
	<description>We were anxious to allocate this money on the basis of ensuring that there was the smallest possible administrative cost.  There is practically no cost &acirc;€” it is only a matter of changing the...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="87.2">We were anxious to allocate this money on the basis of ensuring that there was the smallest possible administrative cost.  There is practically no cost â€” it is only a matter of changing the application form that goes out to each single-payment applicant.  I do not know whether the industry is interested in going along the French route.  The French took a linear cut from the single payment under Article 68 and then put it into a specific fund for sheep.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.79.0&amp;m=833#g85.2">
	<title>Common Agricultural Policy. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.79.0&amp;m=833#g85.2</link>
	<description>When we succeeded last year in getting the European Commission to give approval in principle to member states having access to unused funds &acirc;€” we sought to have access to all the unused funds...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="85.2">When we succeeded last year in getting the European Commission to give approval in principle to member states having access to unused funds â€” we sought to have access to all the unused funds for 2009 â€” that was not agreed at European Union level.  The only funding to which we have access is the â‚¬7 million.  I was conscious that it is a relatively small amount of money.  We wanted to ensure there would be no administrative costs in disbursing that money and that we would have quick and ready access to the relevant data to enable us to pay it.  The easiest and most effective way of paying out that funding was on the basis of the 2007-08 sheep census.  People within that category will make the appropriate application with their single-payment form.  If we were to issue it on the basis of any other scheme there would be administrative costs, which would not be beneficial to the individual flock owner.  I was very conscious that we needed to ensure that it went towards an economically or environmentally sensitive category.  That was another consideration.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.79.0&amp;m=833#g83.2">
	<title>Common Agricultural Policy. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.79.0&amp;m=833#g83.2</link>
	<description>The only funding available within unused funds that we can access during 2009 comes from the national reserve fund, which amounts to &acirc;‚&not;7 million.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="83.2">The only funding available within unused funds that we can access during 2009 comes from the national reserve fund, which amounts to â‚¬7 million.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.79.0&amp;m=833#g81.4">
	<title>Common Agricultural Policy. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.79.0&amp;m=833#g81.4</link>
	<description>I announced yesterday that unused funds available in 2009 from the single farm payment national reserve would be paid to hill sheep farmers in the form of an uplands sheep payment.  The amount in...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="81.2">I announced yesterday that unused funds available in 2009 from the single farm payment national reserve would be paid to hill sheep farmers in the form of an uplands sheep payment.  The amount in question is approximately â‚¬7 million in 2009.  These funds have become available as a result of a request by me, supported by a number of my counterparts from other European Union member states, in the context of the health check negotiations, for the facility to use unspent funds from the national single farm payment ceilings to fund measures targeted at specific sectors in need of assistance. </p><p pid="81.3">Under the scheme I announced yesterday and based on the eligible area declared by farmers in 2008, approximately 14,000 hill sheep farmers will benefit from the new payment this year.  On the basis of data available for 2008, I estimate that the level of aid will be of the order of â‚¬35 per hectare with a maximum payment of â‚¬525 per farmer.  Payments will commence on 1 December 2009.  In introducing this payment my main objective was to address the difficulties and specific costs, including compliance costs, facing the sheep sector.  In reaching the decision I was mindful of the need to ensure that it created no additional burden for farmers, was simple and had a low cost to administer.</p><p pid="81.4">This payment, for which I sought and secured the agreement of the Commission, is for 2009 alone.  I will make a decision on the use of unspent CAP funds from 2010 onwards when further information is available on the detailed EU rules that will apply.  I understand that the Commission will bring forward its proposals in this regard very shortly and they will be adopted in May or June of this year.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.53.0&amp;m=833#g76.2">
	<title>Farm Waste Management. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.53.0&amp;m=833#g76.2</link>
	<description>As the Deputy is well aware this is an Exchequer-funded scheme and the Minister for Finance provides the funding to the relevant Department to meet obligations under different schemes.  We will...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="76.2">As the Deputy is well aware this is an Exchequer-funded scheme and the Minister for Finance provides the funding to the relevant Department to meet obligations under different schemes.  We will not be getting the money from Europe but from our own Exchequer.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.53.0&amp;m=833#g71.2">
	<title>Farm Waste Management. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.53.0&amp;m=833#g71.2</link>
	<description>I already mentioned to the Deputy that almost &acirc;‚&not;66 million was paid out during the first two and a half months of this year.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="71.2">I already mentioned to the Deputy that almost â‚¬66 million was paid out during the first two and a half months of this year.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.53.0&amp;m=833#g69.2">
	<title>Farm Waste Management. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.53.0&amp;m=833#g69.2</link>
	<description>The question asked when people would be paid and if funding would be made available.  I want to assure the Deputy as I have done previously that provision is being made to ensure that the 40%...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="69.2">The question asked when people would be paid and if funding would be made available.  I want to assure the Deputy as I have done previously that provision is being made to ensure that the 40% element of all eligible grant applications will be made during the early part of this year.  Inspections are being expedited as rapidly as possible.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.53.0&amp;m=833#g66.2">
	<title>Farm Waste Management. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.53.0&amp;m=833#g66.2</link>
	<description>Moreover, the maximum eligible investment ceiling was increased and the scheme was extended to include other sectors previously denied access to on-farm investment schemes.  I assure Deputy Creed...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="66.2">Moreover, the maximum eligible investment ceiling was increased and the scheme was extended to include other sectors previously denied access to on-farm investment schemes.  I assure Deputy Creed that the 40% payment to all eligible applicants will be made in the course of this year.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.53.0&amp;m=833#g64.2">
	<title>Farm Waste Management. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.53.0&amp;m=833#g64.2</link>
	<description>This is the largest infrastructural investment ever made in on-farm facilities.  It is funded entirely by the Exchequer.  Grant aid of 70% in some areas and 60% in others was provided.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="64.2">This is the largest infrastructural investment ever made in on-farm facilities.  It is funded entirely by the Exchequer.  Grant aid of 70% in some areas and 60% in others was provided.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.53.0&amp;m=833#g62.2">
	<title>Farm Waste Management. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.53.0&amp;m=833#g62.2</link>
	<description>The Deputy should be interested&acirc;€”&acirc;€”</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="62.2">The Deputy should be interestedâ€”â€”</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.53.0&amp;m=833#g60.2">
	<title>Farm Waste Management. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.53.0&amp;m=833#g60.2</link>
	<description>This represents the largest infrastructural investment ever made&acirc;€”&acirc;€”</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="60.2">This represents the largest infrastructural investment ever madeâ€”â€”</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.53.0&amp;m=833#g57.2">
	<title>Farm Waste Management. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-24.53.0&amp;m=833#g57.2</link>
	<description>Provision will be made in the Revised Estimates to meet the commitments we have given to those farmers who are due grant payments under the farm waste management scheme.  So far this year, of the...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="57.2">Provision will be made in the Revised Estimates to meet the commitments we have given to those farmers who are due grant payments under the farm waste management scheme.  So far this year, of the 40% to be paid, almost â‚¬66 million has issued to almost 5,000 farmers.  Departmental officials at local level are carrying out inspections as expeditiously as possible in order to ensure that appropriate payments are made at the earliest possible date.  This is a scheme of investment of â‚¬1.1 billion over a short period.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-24T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>


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