Results 17,601-17,620 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Fishing Industry: Fishing Industry (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The 1998 Council of Fisheries Ministers took a decision to ban drift netting for tuna with effect from 1 January 2002. This decision to ban a particular form of tuna fishing did not amount to the ending of the tuna fishery, however. For 2008, a quota of 7,958 tonnes of albacore tuna is available to Irish fishermen, which compares favourably with the quota of 3,158 tonnes which prevailed in...

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

Brendan Smith: While I have not received specific proposals from the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority to add extra ports to the list of designated landing ports for specific species of fish, my officials have held discussions with the Authority in the context of proposals from the Federation of Irish Fishermen for the designation of additional ports for landing of monkfish. In this regard, I am currently...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy is aware that the OPW are answering for Departments regarding the property related costs. The non-property costs of decentralisation (e.g. incidental expenses such as travel and overtime) are reported quarterly to the Decentralisation Implementation Group. To the end of March 2008, the last reporting deadline, the costs recorded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and...

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

Brendan Smith: Beekeepers are required to register with my Department as primary producers of honey under the legislation on the hygiene of foodstuffs but there is no requirement to register bee colonies. There are a number of pests and diseases that may lead to colony collapse, in particular the Varroa mite, which is now endemic across Europe including Ireland. It spread in the south-west in recent...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: Allocations of milk quota from the National Reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations from the Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal. The Tribunal examines and makes recommendations on applications for additional quota from individual producers. The named person submitted an appeal against the original recommendations of the Tribunal for the allocation of 40,000 litres of temporary quota, on...

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

Brendan Smith: My Department did not employ external public relations companies in 2007. Public relations advice, where required is provided by my Department's Press Office. It is not possible to provide costs for this service, as the work is carried out as part of the standard duties of the staff involved.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry: Fishing Industry (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The escalation of fuel costs, as a result of global economic and political conditions, remains a matter of concern for all sectors of industry. I believe that many of the current issues facing our fishermen, including that of increasing fuel prices, must be dealt with in the European context. In that regard and following a detailed, constructive nine hour meeting with the Federation of Irish...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry: Fishing Industry (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: Minister Killeen and myself had an exhaustive, detailed and constructive nine hour meeting with the Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) last Friday 13th June. The meeting focused on both long-term and short-term issues of concern to the industry. As a follow on to that meeting we are scheduled to meet EU Commissioner Borg on Wednesday 18th, where we will convey in the strongest possible...

Written Answers — Tree Felling Licences: Tree Felling Licences (5 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: In accordance with normal procedures for the processing of felling licence applications the Forest Service of my Department wrote to Planning Section of Meath County Council in February 2007 seeking their views on the proposed felling. No response was received from Meath County Council on the matter.

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (5 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together. Expenditure on advertising by State bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the bodies themselves.

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (5 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: Earlier this year my Department carried out a promotional campaign on a pilot basis in Co. Wexford costing €46,301 to highlight the benefits to farmers of using my Department's on-line services. Details as follows: Year Promotion of Department's On-Line Services Press Radio Outdoor Production 2008 to date €11,698 €3,166 €1,122 €30,315* *The production costs included the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The information requested is set out in the following table. Year Total Amount in 2007 Top Three Beneficiaries Amount top 3 â'¬ â'¬ 2007 3,905.56 School of Biology & Environmental Science U.C.D. 283.96 Club Travel Corporate 275.87 An Post 149.87 2006 4,032.24 Club Travel Corporate 356.77 Irish Equine Centre 280.84 JVA Analytical Ltd 261.46 2005 11,907.81 An Post...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: I assume the Deputy is referring to inspections carried out under the Single Payment Scheme. The Integrated Controls Division of my Department will be conducting 6,217 field inspections in 2008 from an expected 126,000 SPS applicants, some of whom are also Disadvantaged Area, REPS and Suckler Welfare Scheme applicants. 109 field officers will undertake these inspections. In conducting these...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The soil samples requested by my Department in October 2007 have still not been received and, consequently, further processing of the payment application cannot take place.

Written Answers — Coastal Protection: Coastal Protection (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: It is the policy of my Department to strive for both economically viable and environmentally compatible fisheries which take account of other interests in any given area of activity. In this regard we employ the appropriate tools and take the appropriate measures to achieve this. With reference to the specific question on shore crabs in the Suir estuary, I have asked BIM to examine the issue...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned has lodged an appeal in this case with the Agriculture Appeals Office. He will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: Allocations of milk quota from the National Reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations from the Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal. The Tribunal examines and makes recommendations on applications for additional quota from individual producers. The named person submitted an appeal against the original recommendation of the Tribunal for the temporary allocation of 32,000 litres of quota,...

Written Answers — Departmental Projects: Departmental Projects (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department currently operates one pilot scheme, the Scheme of Investment Aid for Demonstration of On-farm Waste Processing Facilities. Applications for the scheme were accepted between June and December 2006. The purpose of the scheme is to facilitate the introduction/development of up to 10 demonstration projects relating to on-farm waste processing around the country. The Department...

Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The current regulations do not provide specific guidance on locating beehives in residential areas. However, most Irish beekeepers are members of the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations (FIBKA). FIBKA provides guidance on this matter in the Frequently Asked Questions part of their website, www.irishbeekeeping.ie.

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The amount of money allocated in 2008 to each on-farm investment scheme operated by my Department is as follows: Scheme Amount (€m) Aid Control Farm Pollution 0.001 Aid Dairy Hygiene 0.001 Alternative Enterprises Scheme 1.000 Control Farm Pollution Scheme 0.031 Dairy Hygiene Scheme 8.000 Farm Improvement Programme 0.001 Farm Improvement (Horticulture) 0.040 Farm Improvement...