Results 18,621-18,640 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Food Industry. (2 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: There are some projects calling for assistance that have lower-scale costs, and that is among the issues being addressed in the Department.

Food Industry. (2 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy will be aware that a mushroom task force met some years ago. It reported last year, and departmental officials and I have met it and stakeholders in the industry. They have been under particular pressures regarding products coming from eastern Europe, particularly to the British market, to which we predominantly exported. Those issues are being addressed, and very substantial...

Food Industry. (2 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: It is not.

Food Industry. (2 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: On the last occasion the Deputy tabled questions, I believe that he was due to visit Ranelagh on the following Sunday, so I hope he had a good afternoon there.

Food Industry. (2 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: Good for him that he can get away from his constituency on a Sunday; most of us do not get that opportunity. We might get to a football match within the county, or outside if our team is playing away from home. The Deputy may have read that recently there was a seminar or conference in Cork regarding farmers' markets.

Food Industry. (2 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: Good. Judging by the reports that I have had from Bord Bia and departmental officials, it was a very successful conference. Local authorities are facilitating the development of farmers' markets throughout the country, and the Office of Public Works, following correspondence between the Minister of State and me, is also anxious to facilitate such development where feasible. Bord Bia, working...

Food Industry. (2 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: It is a matter for the local authorities to implement planning regulations on the ground. As the Deputy knows, it need not go the Customs House.

Potato Sector. (2 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: The area of potatoes grown in Ireland for the years requested is as follows: Year Hectares 1970 56,835 1980 41,583 1990 24,300 2000 13,173 2004 12,604 The issue regarding the sale of 4,500 tonnes of stored potatoes does not come within my remit and is a matter for resolution between the growers involved and the company with whom they carry on business.

Potato Sector. (2 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: Only last Thursday I spoke at the IFA-Teagasc national conference on potatoes and I met individual farmers both before and after my address. The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, and I have had a number of meetings with different stakeholders in regard to the potato industry. We recognise that it is a very valuable and important part of...

Potato Sector. (2 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: Yes. We are giving particular attention to the seed certification sector. We have had meetings ad nauseam with the different stakeholders. Furthermore, we have agreed with Bord Bia a specific promotion this year for potato products.

Northern Ireland Issues: Motion. (1 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: I commend this motion in support of the courageous stand being taken by the McCartney family in their search for justice for their murdered brother, Robert, a family man and respected member of the Short Strand community. The family has shown remarkable strength and determination in what could only be considered as the most difficult of circumstances. They deserve the full support of this...

Northern Ireland Issues: Motion. (8 Feb 2005)

Brendan Smith: I wish to share time with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, by agreement.

Northern Ireland Issues: Motion. (8 Feb 2005)

Brendan Smith: I am glad to have the opportunity to contribute on the important motion before the House. The Taoiseach and the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, outlined clearly in their contributions the full commitment the Government has given to the advancement of the peace process in recent years. Both cited the valuable contribution made by other political parties in the House and on the island. Deputy...

Job Losses. (8 Feb 2005)

Brendan Smith: I am aware that Minch Malt Limited is to close its malting plant at Banagher, County Offaly, and its two intake points at Tullamore, County Offaly, and Borrisokane, County Tipperary, with effect from September 2005. There will be 19 job losses in total. I am concerned about the impact these job losses will have on families in the area, but the decision to close the Banagher malting plant by...

Agri-food Sector: Motion (Resumed). (2 Feb 2005)

Brendan Smith: Last night, my Government colleague, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, outlined clearly and in precise terms what this Government and the Department are doing to promote the sustainable development of a competitive, consumer focused agri-food sector at every level. I listened patiently to Opposition attempts to create the impression that no investment has been made in...

Agri-food Sector: Motion (Resumed). (2 Feb 2005)

Brendan Smith: The Minister stated that nothing is being spent.

Farm Retirement Scheme. (27 Jan 2005)

Brendan Smith: A number of issues have been raised from time to time arising from the scheme of early retirement from farming. Those that come up most often are the fact that the rate of pension is not index-linked and the requirement that early retirement pensions can be paid only as a supplement to any national retirement pension payable to the participant. It is not accurate to describe these as...

Farm Retirement Scheme. (27 Jan 2005)

Brendan Smith: A number of groups purport to represent retired farmers with special concerns about the early retirement scheme. The Minister, Deputy Coughlan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, met some of these groups and I met a deputation from the mid-west in the Department some time ago who outlined their concerns. Deputy James Breen referred to comments by the former Minister, Deputy Walsh. The...

Farm Retirement Scheme. (27 Jan 2005)

Brendan Smith: That concession was sought and granted by the Minister and the departmental officials after protracted and long negotiations with the European Commission. The Minister, Deputy Coughlan, the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, and I have listened to the concerns outlined by various groups. We had meetings with senior officials from the companies outlining and detailing certain matters. We...

Farm Retirement Scheme. (27 Jan 2005)

Brendan Smith: The Department has been advised that the scheme is properly and legally constituted. It does not inhibit the constitutional rights of any individual farmer or landowner.