Results 17,581-17,600 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (18 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: As indicated in my response to Dáil Question No. 18292 of 13 May 2008, assessments of the applications referred to by the Deputy are near completion. It is not possible to give the Deputy a precise date for final determinations due to the nature of the assessment process. This process includes publication of the Ministerial decisions and allowing a one month period for appeal of any...

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Analysis: Regulatory Impact Analysis (18 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Government decision in June 2005 to introduce Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) in the decision making processes of government Departments stated that it should be applied to all proposals for primary legislation involving changes to the regulatory framework, significant Statutory Instruments and proposals for EU Directives and significant EU regulations. My Department introduces a very...

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (18 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: A reactor animal was disclosed in the herd of the person concerned on 3 May 2008 following a TB skin test. The herd was restricted from that date and the official TB status of the herd remains withdrawn until all animals over six weeks of age have reacted negatively to at least two consecutive tuberculin tests, carried out at 60 day intervals, the first no less than 60 days after the removal...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (18 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Seafood Strategy Implementation Group (SSIG) was set up in March 2007 under the chairmanship of Dr Noel Cawley to oversee implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Seafood Industry Strategy Review Group: Steering a New Course. Dr. Cawley presented a progress report on the implementation of the recommendations to my predecessor in February in accordance with the terms of...

Written Answers — Coastal Protection: Coastal Protection (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The beach at The Murrough, Co. Wicklow is owned by Wicklow County Council and it should be noted that responsibility for its repair and upkeep rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. My Department does, however, provide funding to various Local Authorities each year under the Coastal Protection Programme subject to Exchequer allocation and overall national priorities. Funding...

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: Donadea Forest Park is owned and managed by Coillte Teoranta, which was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988. Day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of parks, are the responsibility of the company. I understand that the primary management objective for the Park is amenity, followed by biodiversity protection and enhancement. It is one of...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The 2008 forestry premium for this contract has been paid.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: There are ten agencies under the remit of my Department. They are as follows: Bord Bia is the state agency with responsibility for trade development, information and promotion of Irish food, drink and horticulture. Its mission is to deliver effective and innovative market development, promotion and information services to assist companies grow and win new business. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)...

Written Answers — Farm Improvement Scheme: Farm Improvement Scheme (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: To date, 330 approvals have issued to farmers to commence work under the Scheme referred to by the Deputy in County Mayo. The remaining applications will be processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme by the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016.

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: I understand that energy inputs are calculated by the Environment Protection Agency for the whole agriculture sector, but not for the sub-sectors or at the level of individual farms. Baseline data have been produced on greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, including fuel usage, and it is worth noting that in recent years the sector has achieved significant production efficiencies which...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: Under the relevant EU legislation, in order to draw down full payment in respect of Single Payment Entitlements, an applicant must declare an 'eligible hectare' to accompany each entitlement; an 'eligible hectare' is land that is used for an agricultural activity i.e. land used to grow cereals, etc, grass for silage, grazing or hay, or land that is in set-aside — the provisions of the...

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Analysis: Regulatory Impact Analysis (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: To date my Department has carried out a screening regulatory impact analysis (RIA) on the proposed legislation transposing the Shellfish Waters Directive and a proposal for a EU Directive on variations to the terms of marketing authorisations for medicinal products. As the legislation for the Shellfish Waters Directive is still in the deliberation process it is not possible to say whether or...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: I am aware of the European Parliamentary Question referred to by the Deputy. However, the revised Farm Waste Management Scheme introduced in March 2006 was approved by the EU Commission under a specific EU state aid decision, which does specify a time limit of end-2008 for completion of the works concerned. As I have previously indicated, I have no plans to seek an extension to this deadline.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: I can confirm that my Department has introduced arrangements to facilitate payments to farmers by electronic funds transfer into Irish credit union accounts where the credit union can accept transfers into the individual accounts of members or into the credit union's bank account. In the latter case, farmers will be required to sign a specific authorisation form directing their payments to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: I can confirm to the Deputy that payment will issue to the person named within the next ten days.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: It is expected that the modulation refund payment of €200 due to the person named will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Department's New Local Office in Drumshambo, which is scheduled to be ready for occupation in early 2009, is intended to accommodate all Department staff in County Leitrim.

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (17 Jun 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 — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 613 and 615 together. My Department's responsibility in the area of animal welfare currently extends to farmed animals only. Primary responsibility for issues relating to safety and welfare of circus animals lies with the owner or keeper of such animals. The Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1965 is the principal legislation governing the welfare of all...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: Council Regulation (EC) No. 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations lays down the welfare requirements and conditions for the transport, handling, loading and unloading of animals. Circus animals are excluded from the scope of this Regulation.