Results 17,041-17,060 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (9 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Government decision on the decentralisation of my Department is that some 600 headquarters staff will move to Portlaoise, the local offices in Cork city will move to Fermoy, involving some 100 staff; and the laboratories in Cork and Limerick will move to Macroom, involving up to 100 staff. The move of the Fisheries function of my Department to Clonakilty, involving over 80 staff, is now...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The payment in question refers to an Afforestation grant for the establishment of a new forest by the individual in question, rather than the sale of forestry. I understand that there were a number of issues with this application. These have now been resolved and both grant and premium have been paid.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (9 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: This appeal was received at the Agriculture Appeals Office and was assigned to an Appeals Officer. On examination of the case, it was found necessary to obtain further information from Mayo County Council. On receipt of this new information, the file was forwarded to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to review the case. The necessity of holding an oral hearing will depend...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (9 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The claim for payment lodged by the person named is being processed by my Department. I would expect that payment will be made in the near future provided that the claim is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Scheme.

Written Answers — Common Fisheries Policy: Common Fisheries Policy (8 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I am not aware of the apparently historical issue raised by the Deputy. In any case this would not appear to impact upon access arrangements which are currently in place which were set down in the basic CFP Regulations of 1983, 1992 and 2002.

Written Answers — Common Fisheries Policy: Common Fisheries Policy (8 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Common Fisheries Policy is up for review in 2012 at the latest. An informal discussion, involving Fisheries Ministers, to mark the start of the debate on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy took place in Brussels on the 29th September 2008. This debate on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, in which I actively participated, is at a very early stage. The Commission will...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Under the 2008 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the person named applied for 31.47 hectares, which was an increase of 8.24 hectares from 2007. These land parcels were found to be slightly over-claimed and when the applicant was queried about this, he agreed that the area determined by the Department, 7.92 hectares, was correct. As this error had not been rectified when the...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (8 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: While there has been an increase in reactor numbers and herd incidence in Galway this year, the herd incidence for Galway remains below the national average. Studies to date have failed to demonstrate any association between enhancements to infrastructure and deteriorating levels of animal disease. In the same way that my Department is required to negotiate permissions to capture badgers...

Written Answers — Agriculture Appeals Office: Agriculture Appeals Office (8 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The penalty in this case arose as a result of an inspection carried out by an Assistant Agricultural Inspector (AAI) and was appealed locally in accordance with standard procedures. Again, following these procedures, the local appeal was dealt with by the Regional Inspector (RI) who is the next higher grade. Both the AAI and the RI attended the Agriculture Appeals Office appeal in Loughrea....

Written Answers — Natural Heritage Areas: Natural Heritage Areas (8 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Land designated as a Natural Heritage Area (NHA) by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is paid at the higher NATURA 2000 payment rate in REPS 4. Land that is currently at proposal stage for NHA designation is paid at the standard REPS payment rate. When proposed NHA sites are formally designated by the NPWS the higher...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (8 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Unfortunately, I am unable to attend this ceremony owing to a long-standing previous commitment. I have conveyed my regrets to the organisers.

Written Answers — Tuberculosis Incidence: Tuberculosis Incidence (7 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 416 to 418, inclusive, together. Capturing of badgers by my Department is carried out under licences granted by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NWPS) in areas of the country where serious outbreaks of TB have occurred and where an epidemiological investigation carried out by my Department's Veterinary Inspectorate has found that badgers are the likely...

Written Answers — Tuberculosis Incidence: Tuberculosis Incidence (7 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Expenditure under the TB eradication programme, not including cost of salaries of Department staff, has been calculated at €43.3m in 2007. Expenditure to 30 September 2008 is estimated at €39.7m. It is expected that final expenditure in 2008 will exceed that for 2007 due to a substantial increase in the cost of compensation linked to higher cattle prices, mainly dairy stock, and an...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry: Fishing Industry (7 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The current funding available for decommissioning is provided to enable immediate decommissioning of vessels from the fleet so as to improve the economic viability of the remainder of the fleet. The general position in the Irish fishing industry in recent years is that there has been an overall shortage of crewmen. Accordingly, and as only a portion of the fleet is being decommissioned, it...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (7 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: An application for a foreshore lease to facilitate construction of rock armour, infilling and construction of a pontoon at Rockhouse, Kilmacsimon, was received by my Department on 3 August 2007. The application was circulated to the Department's technical consultees in line with normal procedures. All of the Department's technical consultees have responded and have no objection to the...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (7 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The requirements in relation to ploughing are set out in the Nitrates Regulations introduced by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in 2006 (SI No. 378 of 2006). These Regulations require that: When ploughing arable land between 1 July and 15 January green cover must be provided from a sown crop within six weeks. Grassland ploughed between 1 July and 15 October...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (7 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The website of the Government's climate change awareness campaign, www.change.ie, provides a carbon calculator which enables everyone to work out their own carbon footprint. Using this tool, my Department has estimated that the carbon emissions related to air travel arising in the course of my ministerial functions since May 2008 amounted to 3.4 tonnes, all of which will be fully offset...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (7 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The pier at Doolin is the property of Clare County Council and responsibility for its repair and upkeep rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. My Department does, however, co-fund maintenance and development works with various Local Authorities under the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. In late 2007, my Department invited applications for...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The claim for payment lodged by the person named is being processed by my Department. I would expect that payment will be made in the near future provided that the claim is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Scheme.

Written Answers — Veterinary Inspection Service: Veterinary Inspection Service (7 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The veterinary profession has my full confidence and support. The profession plays a pivotal role in the development of our agriculture and food sectors and its members expertise and commitment in the area of animal diseases has enabled our livestock sector to progress and improve and, by so doing, to provide a safe raw material for our developing food industry. With developments in the...