Results 16,981-17,000 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: I am explaining the normal take-up, which Deputy Deenihan would have known from his time as Minister of State in the Department. I welcome this opportunity to restate the tremendous success of the farm waste management scheme as an indication of the Government's support for the farming sector in Ireland through an unprecedented level of investment. As Deputies will be aware, a revised...
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Deputy Connaughton should allow me to continue. By the end of last week, the Department had paid out â¬212.7 million in grant aid this year alone. That is in great contrast to the statement issued by Fine Gael in August that no payments would be made between the end of August and December.
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: No. Funding was issued at that time under the original Estimate. Again, we have misinformation from the Opposition.
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: They were not frozen. All farmers who complete approved work in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme can be assured they will receive grant aid. Total expenditure in 2008 on this scheme will be approximately â¬377 million. That follows on expenditure of almost â¬114 million in 2007 and a provision of â¬125 million for the scheme next year. That is further evidence of...
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: The special situation of Ireland, including circumstances such as bad weather, referred to earlier, were fully taken into account and were obviously a significant factor in achieving the exceptional extension. I and my predecessor have consistently stressed to farmers the need to meet the deadline. In recent weeks the Department wrote to every applicant outlining the possibility of...
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: That is not the way the officials work.
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: I am not a civil servant. That remark should be withdrawn. I defendââ
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Deputy Sheahan made the allegation. The last time there was a Fine Gaelââ
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Deputy Sheahan made an allegation against civil servants and he should withdraw it. The last time there was a Fine Gael Minister for Agricultureââ
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: They are not smear tactics, I am stating the truth. Deputy Creed is the man using smear tactics with the arguments and rubbish he comes out with.
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: He did.
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Deputy Sheahan said the representations were dealt with in the Department in a mannerââ
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: That is not the case. He did not.
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Yes.
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: The last time there was a Fine Gael Minister for Agricultureââ
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: ââhe abolished the then farm modernisation scheme.
- Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Not only that, but the applications of 12,000 existing applicants were abolished and Fine Gael Deputies trooped into the lobbies to support it. I recommend the amendment to the House.
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (15 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) has overall responsibility for energy policy and is the lead Department for the promotion and development of renewable energy, including biofuels. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food supports the supply side of the bio-fuel market by offering grants to farmers to grow energy crops as feedstock for domestic...
- Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (15 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: My Department has had no dealings with the named company over the period specified.
- Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (15 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: An Environmental Impact Statement was not received by my Department from the Local Authority as the works in question involved the replacement of an existing structure. In these circumstances, an EIS is not required under the terms of the relevant legislation.