Results 11,641-11,660 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith
- Food Harvest 2020 (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: They have increased both in volume and value. At all times, we are working to get access to new markets and expanding access in existing markets. Bord Bia, the Department and the veterinary service do an exceptionally good job in this regard.
- Food Harvest 2020 (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: In the past 12 months a considerable number of new markets have been opened.
- Food Harvest 2020 (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: There would be a significant growth in jobs with the successful implementation of this policy, along with the post-2013 CAP reforms. With regard to Deputy Sherlock's point, the mechanisms I have put in place to implement this strategy are flexible. They are meant to address the issues that arise. When we deal with a particular issue and hopefully resolve it, we can proceed to deal with the...
- Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: The renewed programme for Government contains a commitment to "implement a code of practice for doing business in the grocery goods sector to develop a fair trading relationship between retailers and their suppliers" and "to review progress of the code and, if necessary, to put in place a mandatory code". The Government will give effect to this commitment by including a provision in the...
- Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: With regard to the last part of Deputy Doyle's question, I welcome the fact that this issue has been highlighted in the all-party Oireachtas committee's paper on the Common Agricultural Policy post-2013. I have raised this issue in Europe from the point of view that even if we attain best practice in this country, it is important that similar practices operate in the other member states of...
- Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: We are not capitulating to any of the multiples.
- Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: I am unsure whether Asda has a presence in our jurisdiction.
- Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: I am unsure of this is because the large multiples do not confide in me. Deputy Sherlock queried my reference to the European Union. Deputy Doyle adverted to the fact that this issue is referred to in the document on CAP reform to which Deputy has contributed. This is important from a European point of view as well because we must seek the best system to provide for fair practices and...
- Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: I thank Deputy Doyle. A vast amount of work has been undertaken in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation on this issue. The Minister, Deputy O'Keeffe, has outlined that he intends to bring forward the appropriate legislative measures early in 2011.
- Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: I referred to this in an earlier reply.
- Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: The proposed merger will allow for the introduction of a statutory code of conduct in the grocery goods sector. The Minister, Deputy O'Keeffe, expects to publish this legislation early in 2011.
- Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: It will allow for a statutory code.
- Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: The Organic Farming Scheme was introduced in 2007 to deliver enhanced environmental and animal welfare benefits and to promote organic production. Support for these objectives had been provided by way of supplementary measure under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme. A total of 365 applications were received in respect of the 2010 Organic Farming Scheme. This is in addition to the 488...
- Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: This year has proven to be a very challenging one from the point of view of processing Single Payment Scheme applications. A substantial additional workload has led to a situation where the initial processing and administrative validation of applications took considerably longer than recent years. In addition, there was a very large increase in the volume of maps submitted on which area...
- Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: The arrangements for payment of the remaining grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis were confirmed in early 2009 with 40 per cent being paid in that year as claims were approved. A further instalment of 40 per cent was paid early in 2010 and the final instalment of 20 per cent will be paid in early 2011. At that stage, total expenditure under the Scheme, since...
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: The organic food sector in Ireland is currently valued at approximately â¬94 million annually and there are about 1,500 producers engaged in organic production. However, a large portion of the organic produce on the Irish market is imported. Apart from the domestic market, there are major export opportunities for Irish organic produce in other European markets. For example, the UK market is...
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: The implementation of a carbon tax on fossil fuels is, in the first instance, a matter for my colleagues, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Renewed Programme for Government contained a commitment to introduce a Carbon Tax in Budget 2010 and this commitment was fulfilled when a carbon tax at a rate of â¬15 per tonne on fossil...
- Written Answers — Farming Statistics: Farming Statistics (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: Teagasc have provided farm number estimates for 2020 which will be available to the Food Harvest High Level Implementation Committee at its next meeting. These figures focus on farm viability and do not include a demographic profile. Information on current farm demographics is published by the CSO and included in the Annual Review and Outlook published by my Department.
- Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: The Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (REFIT) is a matter in the first instance for my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I have written previously to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in relation to REFIT tariffs and officials from my Department are in ongoing contacts with their counterparts in the Department of...
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: The Food Sector Competitiveness Fund, approved by Government in 2009, included lean manufacturing, R&D and marketing initiatives. The budget provided for 2010 is â¬9.5 million comprising â¬7 million for lean manufacturing and R&D initiatives managed by Enterprise Ireland and â¬2.5 million for marketing initiatives by An Bord Bia. By the end of 2010, nearly â¬3 million will have been...