Results 17,101-17,120 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The position is that an EU Commission report on the application of cross-compliance was presented to the April 2007 Agriculture Council and Council conclusions were adopted in June 2007. The following issues were covered in the conclusions: Tolerance for minor non-compliance Introduction of a "de minimis" rule for penalties Harmonisation of control rates Advance notice of Inspections...

Written Answers — Agriculture Appeals Office: Agriculture Appeals Office (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Under the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001, the Agriculture Appeals Office was established to provide an appeals service to farmers who may be dissatisfied with decisions of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food concerning their entitlements under designated schemes operated by the Department. This case was received at the Agriculture Appeals Office on 13th March 2008 and decision...

Written Answers — Farm Improvement Scheme: Farm Improvement Scheme (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: A sum of €15 million was made available in the 2008 Estimates for the Farm Improvement Scheme of which €6.518 million has been paid out to date. The allocation for the Scheme next year will be determined in the context of the 2009 Estimates process. A total allocation of €79 million was provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016, and the Scheme was...

Written Answers — Horticulture Sector: Horticulture Sector (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The position is that Article 21 of the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 (SI No. 378 of 2006) contains a number of requirements in relation to ploughing and the use of non-selective herbicides including a requirement under Article 21 (2) to provide for emergence by 1 November of green cover from a sown crop where grassland has been...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The application in this case was submitted on 17/1/08 and, if found to be valid, his REPS 4 contract will commence from 1 February 2008. Advance payments of 75% under the EU regulations governing REPS 4 can only issue when all administrative checks on applications for REPS 4 and the 2008 Single Payment Scheme are completed. This work is still ongoing and it is expected that payments will...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The position is that an application under the Single Payment Scheme /Disadvantaged Area Compensatory Allowance Scheme was received from the person named on the 7th April 2008. As part of the control procedures under EU legislation governing these Schemes, the application was selected for and was the subject of a ground eligibility inspection. The inspection was carried out on the 8th August...

Written Answers — Compensation Schemes: Compensation Schemes (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Following resolution of outstanding issues, payment in respect of the Retro-active Restructuring element of the EU Sugar Reform package, €10,114.50, issued in full today to the person named.

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: There are no funds at my disposal to compensate farmers whose cattle die from diseases and conditions that are not regulated by my Department. If disease outbreaks occur, owners of affected herds should seek advice from their veterinary surgeons and my Department's Veterinary Laboratory Service is also available to provide advice if required. Animal health is a critical factor for optimal...

Estimates for Public Services 2008: Motion (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I move: That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2008: Vote 31 — Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Supplementary Estimate).

Estimates for Public Services 2008: Referral to Select Committee (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I move: That, subject to leave being given to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending 31st December, 2008, the Supplementary Estimate be referred to the Select Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food pursuant to Standing Order 154(3) and paragraph (1)(a)(ii) of the Committee's Orders of Reference, which shall report back to the Dáil by no later...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: The numbers of inspections carried out in each county is outlined in the table: 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Carlow 92 107 113 90 37 Cavan 389 400 435 361 125 Clare 497 514 528 440 149 Cork 752 851 924 689 269 Donegal 894 962 1,048 647 267 Dublin 35 26 42 27 12 Galway 1,193 1,218 1,610 998 536 Kerry 608 723 759 443 190 Kildare 139 132 173 98 55 Kilkenny 265 268 302 167 92 Laois 239...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Farm Improvement Scheme was introduced by my Department in July 2007 with funding of €79 million as agreed under the Partnership agreement, Towards 2016, and was suspended on 31 October 2007 as applications had reached this level of funding. I have no plans at present to reopen the Scheme to new applications.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Hill Farmers scheme was a special category under the 2005 National Reserve. This catered for farmers with commonage land who were prevented from expanding their sheep production during the 2000-2002 reference period pending publication of the Commonage Framework Plans in 2003. One of the qualifying criteria was that the existing Single Payment must have been less than €6,000. Some...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: Applications for all offshore energy projects are assessed by my Department following consultation with the Marine Licence Vetting Committee (MLVC) as well as other statutory consultees. The MLVC comprises scientists and technical experts fully qualified to assess the application and advise the Department. The policy in considering such applications requires assessment of a number of issues...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: There have been proposals to consolidate and streamline the Foreshore Act 1933 under active consideration in recent years by the former Department which had responsibility for marine functions. The proposals, which of necessity are quite complex, have been further developed since the transfer of these functions to my Department. The proposals are intended to provide a modern, effective and...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre is one of six Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned and managed by my Department. In 2005 a new €50 million harbour development was opened at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre. This new harbour is capable of accommodating large vessels. The fishing industry at Killybegs is a significant contributor to the local economy and my Department is anxious to...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: The REP Scheme is operated by staff in three offices in the Galway region: Galway City, Tuam and Loughrea. The number of staff working on the REP Scheme in those offices is as follows: Grade Number in Grade Salary scale Regional Inspector 1 €61,054 – €87,016 Area Superintendent 1 €53,047 – €68,096 District Superintendent 4 €37,085 – €61,616 Supervisory Agricultural...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: Following the payment of a second forestry premium in September, I understand that all payments due in respect of this contract are now up to date.

Written Answers — Poultry Industry: Poultry Industry (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: The production and marketing of poultry come within the scope of the EU common organization of the market. Duties are payable on imports of poultry from non-EU countries and export refunds are in place for certain categories of poultry exports. A temporary financial support scheme was introduced for poultry producers who suffered losses arising from the fall-off in consumer confidence when...

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: The 30-day pre-movement test was introduced in 1998 to curtail the spread of Brucellosis following an upsurge in the disease. The veterinary advice at the time, which continues to apply, was that the movement/buying-in of cattle was deemed to be a major contributory factor in the spread of the disease and the 30 day test has contributed significantly to the effort in reducing the incidence...