Results 13,421-13,440 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith
- Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: Under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act 1988, Teagasc has statutory responsibility for the provision of research, education and advisory services to the agriculture sector. In accordance with section 13(3)(a) of the Act, Teagasc is required to submit a report in writing to my Department before the end of the financial year outlining its proposed programme of activities for...
- Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: I am not aware of any documentation to which Deputy Creed referred.
- Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: It is important to recognise the excellent work carried out by Teagasc at all its research centres throughout the country. One such eminent centre is in the north of the Deputy's county of Cork at Moorepark, where there is great collaboration with many major international companies based in the country, both of Irish and foreign origin. The Deputy will be aware of the development alongside...
- Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: There was nothing in the Deputy's question that I could ascertain in respect of GM crops. It was a general question-----
- Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: No.
- Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: Teagasc works to the Government programme and priorities. It does so in a very effective way and will continue to do so at all its research centres that it is developing as centres of excellence.
- Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: May I say that-----
- Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: Deputy Creed should note that in no way am I being disingenuous. We are entitled to check if a question is suitable when it refers to the detailed work of a semi-State organisation.
- Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: That is good and I appreciate it. The Deputy might also consider lauding the Government for the major investment in the past-----
- Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: The Deputy should also laud the Government in parallel terms for the major funding that has been put into research, development and innovation in recent years, including in our universities, institutes of technology and our research centres.
- Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: We are not working against innovation and research; we are supporting it very well and we work in collaboration with Teagasc to ensure the needs of Teagasc are addressed and that it works to priorities.
- Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: I did not send any such letter and I am not aware of any correspondence.
- Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: I am not aware-----
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: The Annual bi-lateral negotiations with Norway concluded late yesterday evening after a marathon session which commenced on Tuesday 19th January. Indeed this session follows three other such meetings â two in Bergen, Norway and one in Brussels â which were held in November and December last. The EU/Norway agreement forms part of what are collectively known as the "Northern Agreements"....
- Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) virus and Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus are two viral agents that have been recognised as being endemic and causing disease in animals in Ireland for decades. Johne's disease is an infectious disease of cattle, sheep and goats associated with infections by a bacterium (Mycobacterium paratuberculosis). It causes wasting in all the above species and...
- Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: Issues relating to eligibility for pensions are a matter for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. Following a review of certain pension claims, it was discovered that a number of individuals who had been in receipt of a pension did not satisfy the condition whereby they were required to have paid at least one year's self employment contributions before reaching age 66. As they did not...
- Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: Ireland's amended Rural Development Programme, including a new agri-environment scheme, was presented to the EU Rural Development Management Committee in Brussels on 20 January. This followed detailed and protracted discussions with the Commission. The Committee agreed the programme and the Commission will now proceed to take a formal decision to approve it. This procedure is expected to...
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: The package of fish quotas and other conservation measures for 2010 were agreed at the December 2009 Fisheries Council after a marathon 36 hours of intensive negotiations. Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at this Department, represented Ireland at those negotiations. I welcome the agreement reached and I am satisfied that it provides a balanced and fair outcome for Irish fishermen. The...
- Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: The submission of a detailed five year business plan by all new applicants is now required as part of the application process for the Organic Farming Scheme. The purpose of the Business Plan is to facilitate an assessment of the level of farming activity and sustainability of the business which is the subject of the application. The Scheme conditions were amended as a result of a review of...
- Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (27 Jan 2010)
Brendan Smith: Ireland's amended Rural Development Programme, including a new agri-environment scheme, was presented to the EU Rural Development Management Committee in Brussels on 20 January. This followed detailed and protracted discussions with the Commission. The Committee agreed the programme and the Commission will now proceed to take a formal decision to approve it. This procedure is expected to...