Results 17,361-17,380 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: As the Minister for Finance has outlined, the fundamentals of our economy are sound. Our current difficulty does not represent a return to the 1980s. Indeed, the economy has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. Our public debt is the second lowest in the European Union. The general Government debt has declined from over 100% of GNP in the 1980s to 53% of GNP in 1998 and to a...

Written Answers — Official Travel: Official Travel (9 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: No representatives of my Department will be visiting Beijing in an official capacity to coincide with the 2008 Olympics.

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (9 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Tree Felling Licences: Tree Felling Licences (9 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Section 37 of the Forestry Act 1946 requires, with certain exceptions, the owners of land on which the trees stand to give notice of intention, by way of a Felling Notice, when uprooting trees over ten years of age or cutting down trees of any age. No Felling Notice has been received to date by the Forest Service of my Department for lands at Knockroe, Castlerea. Should a Felling Notice be...

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The files of the former Land Commission are retained in the Records Branch of my Department, which is currently located in the National Archives Building in Bishop Street. These files have not been formally handed over to the National Archives as they contain title documentation of all land acquired by the former Commission for distribution under the Land Purchase Acts. My officials...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Following is the information requested. Title Date of Appointment Annual Salary Dermot Ryan — Special Advisor to Minister Brendan Smith 7th May, 2008 €97,747 plus 10% attraction allowance Philip Hannon — Press Advisor to Minister Brendan Smith 7th May, 2008 €97,747 Stiofan Nutty — Special Advisor to Minister of State Trevor Sargent 7th May, 2008 €91,170 plus 10% attraction...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: There are seven staff working in the Press Office at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The numbers are broken down as follows: Annual Salary Scale 1 Assistant Principal Officer €64,565 – €80,507 1 Higher Executive Officer €45,422 – €57,656 4 Executive Officers €29,820 – €47,321 and €31,394 – €49,809 1 Clerical Officer €22,609 – €36,667

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The following staff are employed in my constituency office. Annual Salary Scale 1 Personal Assistant €45,522 – €53,688 (including 10% attraction allowance) 1 Personal Secretary €29,820 – €49,180 (including 10% attraction allowance) *5 Clerical Officers €22,609 – €36,667 *Two of whom are involved in work-sharing arrangements.

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

Brendan Smith: The person named is an applicant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. My Department issued approval to commence the proposed investment works on 2 May 2008. The applicable percentage rate of grant-aid is 40%.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Since the establishment of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) on 1 January 2007, the provision of the information requested is a matter for that Authority, which is a statutory body independent of me and my Department. In relation to 2006 and prior to the establishment of the Authority, the vessels detained and the infringement detected are set out below. Irish Vessels Details...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Since the establishment of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) on 1 January 2007, the provision of the information requested is a matter for that Authority, which is a statutory body independent of me and my Department. In relation to 2006 and prior to the establishment of the Authority, the information requested is set out below. Non Irish fishing vessels Details Number...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: While there is no formal register of Farmers' markets in Ireland, Bord Bia has, in co-operation with Invest Northern Ireland, published a comprehensive information guide on the operation of farmers markets and lists over 140 markets currently in operation throughout the island. Following qualitative and quantitative research into local food undertaken by Bord Bia, a guide entitled "Selling...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Minister for Health and Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for enforcement of labelling legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) through its service contracts with my Department, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Health Services Executive, the Local Authorities and the National Consumer...

Written Answers — On-Farm Investment Schemes: On-Farm Investment Schemes (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Dairy Hygiene Scheme was introduced by my Department in 2001 under the aegis of the 2000-2006 National Development Plan and accordingly closed for new applications on 31 December 2006. Expenditure on the Scheme since its introduction has been as follows: Year Amount (€ million) 2001 0.164 2002 2.057 2003 2.429 2004 2.951 2005 6.045 2006 6.994 2007 7.673 2008 (to date) 2.385...

Written Answers — On-Farm Investment Schemes: On-Farm Investment Schemes (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: In April 2007, my predecessor announced the approval of grant assistance from the Dairy Investment Fund in the amount of €114 million towards capital investment in the processing sector. The Fund is expected to generate gross capital investment in the sector of €286 million when all projects have been completed. Capital investment outside this programme is a matter for the individual...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Minister for Health and Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Specific actions have been taken and initiated in relation to origin labelling of meat and meat products. As regards beef labelling legislation requiring country of origin labelling of beef has been in place since September 2000. As this legislation did not cover beef sold by the...

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The price paid to pig producers, currently stands at €150/100kgs. This is up 15% on last year and the price has been improving steadily over the past weeks. This positive development for producers has been assisted by the availability of export refunds, which has helped alleviate pressures on the EU market. On the matter of advice to pig producers, Teagasc's programme of activities...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The information sought by the Deputy is set out hereunder. Year Total Grant-in-Aid Food Dudes — National Roll-Out Quality Assurance € € 1998 15,153,765 8,291,390 1999 18,351,524 10,044,898 2000 14,637,377 12,755,789 2001 17,054,264 17,013,221 2002 18,738,114 18,507,000 2003 17,000,439 17,003,000 2004 17,122,604 17,067,244 2005 21,282,671 20,973,118 2006...

Written Answers — On-Farm Investment Schemes: On-Farm Investment Schemes (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Farm Improvement Scheme was introduced by my Department in July 2007 and closed for new applications on 31 October 2007. 12,675 applications were received from farmers prior to the closing date of the Scheme. Expenditure on the Scheme in 2007 was €0.014 million and, to date in 2008, has been €2.783 million. I have no plans at present to reopen the Scheme.

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Building on the ongoing work of the Meat Market Access group involving my Department, Bord Bia and meat industry representatives which was established last July, an inter-Departmental Group chaired by my Department and comprised of representatives from the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Enterprise, Trade and Employment, An Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Iascaigh Mhara has been...