Results 2,401-2,420 of 18,449 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (11 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The person named commenced participation in REPS with effect from 1 May 2005. She received payments for the first two years. However she was then selected for inspection and land included in the application was found to be ineligible. She appealed this decision locally and then to the Agriculture Appeals Office. The Appeals Office upheld the Department's decision and the person named was...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (11 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The application in question is being examined with a view to being finalised shortly. The person named will be informed of the outcome once this examination is complete.

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (11 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: An application under the Early Retirement (ERS3) Scheme for the person named was received in my Department on 16 October 2008. It could not be accepted for processing as the Scheme was suspended for new applications with effect from 15 October 2008. I have no plans, at present, to reopen the Early Retirement Scheme to new applications, but the limiting of the suspension of the Scheme will be...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (11 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Programme for Government sets a target of 70,000 farmers in REPS. At present there are some 61,000 farmers involved,including 12,700 applicants for REPS 4. Notwithstanding the current budgetary difficulties, I have allocated an increased provision for REPS in 2009 of €355 million and I believe this demonstrates my commitment to the long-term future of REPS as a measure that has...

Written Answers — Departmental Surveys: Departmental Surveys (11 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The ground survey has taken place recently and a map will be drawn up as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (11 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The provisions of the Farm Waste Management Scheme require farmers to lodge a fully documented payment claim with my Department by 31 December 2008. I do not propose to alter this procedure.

Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (11 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The position is that the Local Authorities are the designated control authorities under the Nitrates Regulations (SI no. 378 of 2006) which are the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the first instance. As such they have legislative obligations in terms of monitoring and controls. My Department has responsibility for nitrates inspections in...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (11 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: In view of the temporary volatility in dairy markets and uncertainty in the short-term outlook, I contacted EU Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel in early November to activate market measures in support of the sector. I was pleased that the Commission acted decisively and brought forward the scheme of private storage aid for butter. This will now take effect from 1st January, two months...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (11 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: Decisions by dairy farmers in regard to the purchase of milk quota in the Milk Quota Trading Scheme are based on individual circumstances, an assessment of the value and need for milk quota in particular farm enterprises and the prevailing market conditions for milk and milk products. On this occasion, 13 per cent of all dairy farmers decided to apply for quota and I am very pleased that 75...

Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (11 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: Under the Regulations governing cross-compliance, Member States must ensure that on the spot controls for all requirements and standards relevant to cross-compliance are carried out throughout the year. To-date, for the year 2008, over 96% of farmers selected for control under the cross-compliance requirements, including animal identification and registration requirements, have been...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (11 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: While the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) was established in the late 1980s to deal with serious problems relating to use of illegal substances (hormones, angel dust etc.) in animal production, its remit was expanded in the intervening years to include assistance in the implementation of various schemes and, in particular, to investigate breaches of legislation governing animal disease...

Written Answers — Coastal Erosion: Coastal Erosion (11 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: In line with a recent Government decision, responsibility for Coastal Protection and Coastal Flooding will become the responsibility of the Office of Public Works with effect from 1st January 2009. Arrangements are currently in train to effect the transfer. The Office of Public Works will therefore be responsible for the allocation of funding for Coast Protection works for 2009 and onwards....

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (11 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The person named did not apply for the Suckler Welfare Scheme by the closing date of 31 March 2008. It will not be possible to accept an application at this late stage, unless there were exceptional circumstances that prevented him from applying on time. Staff from the Suckler Herds Section of my Department in Portlaoise will be in contact with the person named shortly. The delay in...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (11 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) are required under EU Regulation to be fitted on all fishing vessels over 15 metres in overall length operating in EU waters and all EU vessels wherever they operate. The collection and use of the information received through the VMS system for all vessels operating in Ireland's Exclusive Fisheries Zone and Irish vessels operating in other waters is a matter...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (11 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department for 2007 and 2008 is set out in the following tables: 2007 Name of Consultant Nature of Work Payment € John Malone — Consultant Sheep Strategy Development Group 13,433.02 P.P. Ryan & Co — Solicitors Legal advice 2,123.55 Configure Ltd Preparation of a disability access report for 6 Fishery Harbour Centres and...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (11 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: Under the Scheme of Investment aid for the development of Commercial Horticulture sector the standard rate of grant is 40%. The applicant, on the basis of being a young farmer, was provisionally approved for the higher rate of grant (50%) aid under the Scheme. This provisional approval was based on him being in a position to demonstrate, by the date he applied for payment of aid, that he was...

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (16 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department is working closely with An Bord Bia and our embassies abroad to reassure our customers as to the safety of Irish Pork. For my part I visited France last week to provide the necessary assurances and will have the opportunity this week at the EU Council of Ministers to outline the safety and security of our exports. In the case of our Asian markets our diplomatic representations...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (16 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The question of the reduction of the administrative burden on Department clients has been pursued at EU level. In line with the Health Check review of the Common Agriculture Policy, the Council and Commission of the EU have declared that they will continue with the objective of obtaining further simplification at both farmer and administrative levels of the cross- compliance requirements. In...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: Payment of €80 in respect of the fifteenth animal was made on 12 December 2008. The remaining calf will not qualify for payment, as it was registered outside the statutory requirement of 27 days from the date of birth. A letter in relation to this late registration issued on 19 November 2008, and staff from the Suckler Herds Section of my Department in Portlaoise will be in contact with...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (16 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: A good deal of work has been undertaken on drafting the new Animal Health and Welfare Bill which gives effect to a number of animal health and welfare commitments contained in the Programme for Government. My officials are currently meeting with organisations that made submissions on the draft Bill following the public consultation process initiated by me earlier in the year. It would not be...