Results 14,341-14,360 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: Under my Department's Marketing and Processing Scheme of Investment Aid grant-aid of €16.8 million was awarded in December 2008 to 66 enterprises in the horticulture (13 projects awarded €5.4m), livestock marts (22 projects awarded €3.6m) and small meat (31 projects awarded €7.8m) sectors. This package is expected to contribute to investment on projects in the region of €70 million....

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: Work is proceeding on drafting the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which gives effect to a number of commitments in the area of animal health and welfare contained in the Programme for Government. Following the public consultation process initiated on the bill in 2008, almost 400 submissions/comments were received from stakeholders, including organisations and individuals, with an interest in...

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: To date 34 staff in my Department have applied for the incentivised scheme of early retirement and 53 staff have applied for the special incentive career break. With regard to state agencies under the aegis of my Department, the number of staff who have applied for the incentivised scheme of early retirement and the special incentive career break is a matter for the Bodies themselves as part...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The EU Fisheries Council acting on a proposal from the EU Commission decides which fish stocks are subject to a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and quota regime. The Commission in formulating it's proposal takes account of the latest scientific advice on fish stocks. Sand dog, otherwise known as lesser spotted dogfish, Scyliorhinus canicula is not currently subject to a TAC and quota regime.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: To date a total of €1,142,294.93 has been paid in 2009 in respect of REPS 3 and 4. REPS 3 payments continue to be made on an ongoing basis. Under EU rules, payments to REPS 4 participants may be made in two instalments, the first at 75% on completion of all administrative checks and area checks on all files and the remaining 25% once all on-farm inspections have been completed. The...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department submitted to the EU Commission draft national legislation that would require the country of origin to be indicated on pigmeat, poultrymeat and sheepmeat and on food products containing over 70% of these meats. My Department engaged in extensive communications with the Commission with a view to justifying and pressing the case for the proposed legislation. The Commission,...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The work of COFORD will be subsumed into the Department with effect from 1 August this year. The Board of COFORD will continue to operate in an advisory capacity to the Department on the areas of forestry and forestry research.

Written Answers — Shipwreck Salvage: Shipwreck Salvage (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The removal of boat wrecks comes under section 52 of the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act 1993 which permits a harbour authority or, in certain circumstances, a local authority to take steps to remove the wreck. Accordingly, my officials have raised this matter with the Department of Transport as the 1993 Act comes under that Department's remit.

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The assignment of an aquaculture licence by the licensee to a third party requires the consent of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The individual in question applied on 18 September 2007 to my Department for approval to assign to another person the area in Roaringwater Bay covered by his aquaculture licence. The application was forwarded in the normal way to the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: To comply with European Union regulations all REPS 4 applications and plans, including adjusted plans, are subject to eligibility and other checks. The checking procedures are in the final stages and I expect that payment in this case will issue in the next few weeks.

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available within my Department. Given the timeframe comprehended in his question it would take a disproportionate amount of time to retrieve and compile. However, should the Deputy have a specific query on contracts awarded by my Department, I will be happy to have that matter examined.

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department has no contract with the company named by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: No applications received after the suspension of both the Young Farmers' Installation and Early Retirement Schemes on the 14 October 2008 have been approved for payment.

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The following funding is being provided for works at Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre as part my Department's 2009 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme Safety and Maintenance €297,000 Disability Access €15,000 Harbour sedimentation/dredging study €7,000 Repairs to East Pier - Phase II €210,000 Upgrading slipway and access to West Wharf €57,000...

Written Answers — Agriculture Sector: Agriculture Sector (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food publishes detailed data on Agri-Food trade based on CSO data. This data is published in the Compendium of Agriculture Statistics on an annual basis. The Compendium is available under the Publications section of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie The table gives export details, in terms of the...

Written Answers — Agriculture Sector: Agriculture Sector (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: In view of the highly detailed nature of the Deputy's request for information, I would like to, in the first instance, point him towards a relevant data source. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food publishes detailed data on Agri-Food trade based on CSO data. This data is published in the Compendium of Agriculture Statistics on an annual basis. The Compendium is available under...

Written Answers — Agriculture Sector: Agriculture Sector (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: For the year 2008, the CSO estimates that the Irish food and beverage sector exported €8.6 billion in product. While strides towards greater market diversification continue, particularly towards the wider EU and Far East, established high value markets remain the primary destination for Irish agri-food exports. In 2008, the CSO estimated that over 75% of exports in the sector were...

Written Answers — Agriculture Sector: Agriculture Sector (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: Prices paid to producers are measured through agricultural output price indices (API). According to the Central Statistics Office, in the 5-year period covering the years 2004 to 2008 inclusive, the total index for agricultural output prices increased by approximately 20%, with significant variations between commodities over the period. For example, these indices increased by 33% for cattle...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: It is my function as Minister to continue to plan to help the sector remain competitive so that it can capitalise on the inevitable global recovery and meet the challenges in the coming decade. Addressing the industry's capacity to compete successfully at home and overseas has assumed a new urgency and my belief is that a new development plan for the period to 2020 is required to maintain...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: My officials are currently processing the application of the person named. It is expected that payment will issue within the next 15 days.