Results 17,321-17,340 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Cromane is an aquaculture landing place under the control of Kerry County Council. The project involves the construction of a pier, breakwater and access road together with dredging of the entrance channel. My Department approved funding of €500,000 in 2007 and €750,000 in 2008 under the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Due to considerable delays...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: BIM is currently actively engaging with co-operatives from the main Fishery Harbours and has put in place a comprehensive programme of work for 2008 including: Seafood quality training for both co-op staff and members and key market analysis. The introduction of environment management systems is central to the introduction of key new brands.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: A scheme to decommission vessels greater than 18 meters in length has been drawn up and published earlier this year. On 23rd June 2008, I announced grant aid totalling €41.1m to decommission 46 fishing vessels under the 2008 fishing vessel decommissioning scheme. I am confident that this large scale decommissioning of older whitefish trawlers will, in line with Governments strategy for...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: BIM delivers grant aid schemes for fleet safety and diversification as well as support for the inshore sector. These schemes will continue to be available to fishermen. BIM is responsible for the provision of seafood industry training in Ireland. Training is delivered at BIM's National Fisheries College (NFC), Greencastle, Co. Donegal, the Regional Fisheries Centre (RFC) Castletownbere, Co....

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: BIM, Marine Institute and Udarás na Gaeltachta adhere to a policy of grant aiding investment to improve our marine environment. Examples include the Beaufort Awards in conjunction with the Marine Institute which fund research on ecosystem management, and a number of projects which are being implemented under the Science/ Industry partnership focusing on the reduction of discards in fisheries.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: There are currently a number of initiatives being pursued by BIM and Údarás na Gaeltachta aimed at enhancing the supply chain both at onboard level and in auction centres. BIM is delivering training at its training centres to upgrade skill levels of fishermen.The National Strategic Plan sets out a number of avenues to support economic and social development of maritime communities...

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: BIM has an ongoing programme of grant aiding new onboard technologies in place and BIM are also currently carrying out trials on an eco friendly pelagic fishing net. The aim of such initiatives is to incentivise industry in adopting environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient fishing gear that is species and size selective, minimising the impact of fishing gear on sensitive habitats and...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Seafood Development Operational Programme includes a measure aimed at providing grant aid to small and medium sized aquaculture enterprises in the private sector. The Operational Programme has been finalised and discussions are underway with the Commission with a view to receiving Commission approval of the Operational Programme. DG Environment has opposed the inclusion of grant aid for...

Written Answers — Marine Research: Marine Research (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Marine Institute is currently implementing the Government's wide ranging marine research "Sea Change" Strategy. This involves a very wide range of marine research activities across the total marine sphere, including research on renewable ocean energy. For example, DAFF, in co-operation with the Marine Institute recently launched a joint public good research Initiative in marine...

Written Answers — Marine Biotechnology Initiative: Marine Biotechnology Initiative (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The MI is leading and co-ordinating the initiation of a complex programme in Biodiscovery, which seeks to utilise Ireland's marine biodiversity for the discovery of novel compounds for use in drug discovery, biomaterials and biomedical engineering. This involves the coordination of existing, and the initiation of new, research across a wide range of third-level, agency and industry groups....

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: A new decommissioning scheme for vessels greater than 18m was launched in February 2008 with the objective of increasing the quota available for the rest of the fleet. Over €21m. has been allocated for 2008 with a further €21m committed in 2009. On 23rd June 2008, I announced grant aid of €41.1m to decommission 46 fishing vessels under the 2008 fishing vessel decommissioning scheme....

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Four offshore sites have been designated at EU level. A number of sites have also been designated in inshore waters. My Department is working with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Bord Iasca Mhara, the Marine Institute and industry to provide appropriate management in these sites and to ensure effective conservation

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Ireland continues to participate in negotiations between the EU and developing countries, e.g. Morocco and Mauritania. A new protocol between the EU and Mauritania has been negotiated and is under discussion at the Fisheries Council next Tuesday. This new protocol will provide direct EU funding to Mauritania and will provide an economic boost to Mauritania through increased landings in...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: BIM in conjunction with the Marine Institute continues to implement this Observer Programme on an ongoing basis.

Written Answers — Seafood Exports: Seafood Exports (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: BIM have continued to support producers in accessing export markets. A marketing advisor was recently appointed in the UK, and the Italian market is being intensively researched. The traditional export markets in France, Spain and Germany continue to be a focus for Irish seafood producers. A major promotion of Irish Seafood Products took place at the European Seafood Expo in Brussels in April.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Ireland was at the forefront in the EU debate on the introduction of electronic logbooks for larger fishing vessels. New rules were agreed that will apply from 1/1/2010 and will give real time access to coastal states such as Ireland to fishing records of vessels in its 200 mile zone. The Department will in conjunction with the SFPA and the Naval Service establish a Project team to guide...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: A system of Electronic Sales Notes is now in operation for all landings by Irish vessels or non-Irish vessels into Ireland. Ireland is pushing at EU level for other member states to introduce electronic systems.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The question of recoupment of forestry premium from Coillte is being considered within my Department in the context of Coillte's proposed strategy for the period 2008-2012.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The mixed grazing supplementary measure is available to farmers joining REPS 4 and was approved by the European Commission on the basis of the environmental benefits accruing from following a mixed grazing regime. Any change to the measure would require further Commission approval and could only be justified on environmental grounds. My Department has issued some €9,000 for the mixed...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The end-2008 deadline for completion of work by farmers under the revised Farm Waste Management Scheme introduced by my Department in March 2006 is a condition of the EU state aid approval for the Scheme. I have no plans to approach the EU Commission to alter the terms of the state aid approval. The Standard Costings used to calculate grants under my Department's on-farm investment schemes...