Results 12,821-12,840 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The processing of REPS 4 payments is governed by EU Regulations which require exhaustive administrative checks and on-the-spot inspections. In most parts of the country, the processing of payments is well advanced and the majority of participants have received their full payments for 2009. In a significant number of cases, however, the administrative checks raised issues and queries which...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The EU Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) provides a range of measures that can be used to manage the dairy market, and these were modified in the CAP reforms of 1999 and 2003. In the Health Check negotiations in 2008 there was pressure to remove or weaken the support measures significantly. At that time I fought hard to keep the key market instruments in place and the importance of the...

Written Answers — Fertiliser Use: Fertiliser Use (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: I want to compliment Teagasc on the work carried out by their National Farm Survey Unit and their Environmental Research Centre in order to publish their Survey of Fertilizer Use in Ireland from 2004 to 2008 for Grassland and Arable Crops. I am especially pleased to note that the survey demonstrates that the national usage of the major nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: To date in 2010, €97 million has been paid to participants in REPS 3 and REPS 4.

Written Answers — Beef Industry: Beef Industry (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 35 together. I wish to assure the Deputy that the mechanical classification system for beef carcases continues to operate well within the performance criteria provided for in the relevant EU Regulations. Officials of my Department carry out regular checks on each of the 23 machines operating in beef processing plants. The classification results,...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department received 175 applications following the temporary reopening of the Early Retirement Scheme from 23 September to 30 October, 2009. Sixteen of the applications have been approved for payment. Another 133 applications are currently being examined in my Department. Twelve of the applications could not be accepted for processing as they did not satisfy all of the Scheme...

Written Answers — Carbon Tax: Carbon Tax (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 81 together. 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 Finance Bill, 2010, introduced carbon taxation of mineral oils which will apply to petrol, auto-diesel, kerosene, marked gas oil, liquid...

Written Answers — Rural Development: Rural Development (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department recently received EU Commission approval for the various targeted on-farm investment schemes announced by my Department in 2009. Due to the relatively short time-frames for completion of the investment works concerned, my priority is to introduce the Sow Welfare and Poultry Welfare Schemes first. Arrangements will then be made to introduce the three remaining schemes,...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The application procedure for the Agri-Environment Options Scheme has been simplified as much as possible, within regulatory and audit restraints, and will allow the majority farmers applying for the scheme to select actions suitable to their farm from a menu of options available by means of a simple tick box application form. There is no requirement to draw up a plan, except in cases where...

Written Answers — Horse Breeding Industry: Horse Breeding Industry (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: As the Deputy may be aware, the studbook for the Irish Draught Horse breed in Ireland is maintained by Horse Sport Ireland, which is approved by my Department in accordance with EU and national legislation to do so. In addition, my Department has received two applications to maintain studbooks for the Irish Draught Horse breed from the Irish Draught Horse Society Co-Op Ltd and the Irish...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 67 and 87 together. I launched a consultation process in July last year with stakeholders to obtain their views on what EU agriculture policies would serve Ireland and the EU best in the years to come. I am very pleased with the responses received. These responses will help to inform our position in the very important negotiations that lie ahead. In...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The issue of micro generation of electricity is a matter in the first instance for my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The Deputy may be aware that in February 2009 Minister Ryan announced measures to encourage the on-site generation of electricity in homes and farms across Ireland. The Micro Generation Programme is being operated by ESB Customer...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Common Agricultural Policy will provide the main policy framework for development of the primary agriculture and agri-food industries in Ireland and the EU to 2020 and beyond and it is of the utmost importance that it continues to underpin the development of a competitive and vibrant agricultural sector. My overarching aim is for a strong and properly resourced CAP guided by the twin...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: Details of the REP 4 plans that have been rejected are listed in the table below. My officials are in contact with applicants whose plans have been rejected to inform them of their right to appeal the decision. Alternatively, unless the application has been found to be fundamentally ineligible, the applicant may submit a new REPS 4 plan and application form on or before 17 May 2010. If an...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: I have not taken such a decision. Apart from exports to the UK (Ireland and the UK are in a common rabies free-movement zone), all dogs exported from Ireland, both commercial and non-commercial, must be accompanied by a pet passport. This passport is issued by my Department on foot of identification micro-chipping by the Private Veterinary Practitioner (PVP). The PVP subsequently completes...

Written Answers — Ministerial Functions: Ministerial Functions (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: As Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, I have full ministerial responsibility for all of the Department's activities, including responsibility for Food. I am assisted by two Ministers of State, both of whom have specific special responsibilities. Deputy Sean Connick has Minister of State responsibilities for Fisheries and Forestry and Deputy Ciaran Cuffe has Minister of State...

Written Answers — Departmental Committees: Departmental Committees (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 72 together. Work on the development of a strategy to further the growth of the agri-food, fisheries and forestry sectors to 2020 is well advanced. During 2009, my Department in collaboration with five State Bodies, Teagasc, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, BIM, Marine Institute, completed a comprehensive analysis of the sector. In February 2010, I...

Written Answers — Cattle Prices: Cattle Prices (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: Product prices are a function of market forces and beef prices to date in 2010 are down over 2% on the corresponding period in 2009. Factors governing beef returns at present include, reduced consumer demand, stronger sales of cheaper cuts, currency movements, supply availability and the level of live exports. While I have no function in the determination of prices, I am, nonetheless, mindful...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 76 together. I am delighted to confirm that Ireland has achieved official EU recognition of our Aujeszky's disease control and eradication status. Attaining "Annex II" status is a very significant milestone in meeting the objective of the Aujeszky's Disease Control and Eradication Programme: eradicating Aujeszky's disease from the national pig herd....

Written Answers — Natura 2000 Sites: Natura 2000 Sites (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: My proposal to increase the payment rate to €150 per hectare on Natura 2000 sites under the new Agri-environmental Options Scheme requires European Commission approval. A proposed amendment to the Scheme has therefore been submitted to the Commission and my officials are pressing for it to be dealt with as a matter of priority.