Results 2,441-2,460 of 18,450 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 454 and 460 together. Bord Bia is funding the new label campaign from existing resources and will prioritize meat promotion within its budgetary allocation for 2009.

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

Brendan Smith: On 5 December 2008 the Food Safety Authority of Ireland informed the EU Commission through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) that an investigation was being conducted by my Department in close collaboration with the FSAI into the source of a contaminant in animal feed. On 6 December 2008 the FSAI informed the European Commission that Ireland was taking steps to remove from...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (16 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: To reassure consumers, the use of a new label for Irish pork and bacon products has been authorised. This applies both to products produced before 1st September and after 6th December 2008, and in addition products during this period that the food control agencies have verified as being unaffected by the contamination. Only pigs certified by veterinary officers from food control agencies as...

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

Brendan Smith: The applications received under my Department's Capital Investment Scheme for the marketing and processing of agricultural products are going through a competitive evaluation process in which the strengths of the various proposals are being assessed and ranked in line with the objectives of the Scheme. This process will be completed shortly and applicants will be informed of the outcome.

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

Brendan Smith: Following the recall of pork products initiated on 6 December 2008, and on the basis of an ongoing evaluation process by my Department and other agencies involved in this issue I confirmed on 10 December 2008 that all the necessary controls are now in place to enable the restoration of supplies of Irish pork and bacon to consumers. The recalled product is classified as Category 1 ABP under...

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

Brendan Smith: Following the recall of pork products initiated on 6 December 2008, and on the basis of an ongoing evaluation process by my Department and other agencies involved in this issue I confirmed on 10 December 2008 that all the necessary controls are now in place to enable the restoration of supplies of Irish pork and bacon to consumers. These controls, which were developed over a very short...

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

Brendan Smith: The agreement the Taoiseach and I concluded with pigmeat processors early last Thursday morning involved making available a facility of €180 million from the public finances to assist processors in funding the recall and destruction of certain pork products from the market and products in storage. This support provided the mechanism to enable processors secure the working capital required...

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

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 and is subject to different EU Regulations from the preceding versions of REPS. Under REPS 4, all payments are to be made in just two instalments. The first payment, of 75%, can be made only when all administrative checks on all 2008 applications for REPS 4 and the Single Payment Scheme are completed. This is why it...

Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (16 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: A penalty of €3,904.45 was applied in this case for late submission of the application for payment (IAS 2). My Department has not received a documented request for the application of force majeure from the person concerned.

Written Answers — Farm Restrictions: Farm Restrictions (16 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The livestock movement restriction placed on this farm has now been lifted.

Estimates for Public Services 2008: Leave to Introduce (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: I move: That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2008: Vote 31 — Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Second Supplementary Estimate).

Estimates for Public Services 2008 (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: I move: Vote 31 — Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Second Supplementary Estimate). That a supplementary sum not exceeding €50,000,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December 2008, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, including certain services...

Estimates for Public Services 2008 (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: No, not in this instance.

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

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 562 and 571 together. Since the transfer of fisheries functions to my Department, work has continued on this issue and in May of this year my Department published a Strategy for Improved Pest Control on Irish Salmon Farms. A National Implementation Group with representatives from my Department, BIM, Marine Institute and industry representatives has been...

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

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 and is subject to different EU Regulations from the preceding versions of REPS. Under REPS 4, all payments are to be made in just two instalments. The first payment, of 75%, can be made only when all administrative checks on all 2008 applications for REPS 4 and the Single Payment Scheme are completed. This is why it...

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

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007-13 and is subject to different EU Regulations from the preceding versions of REPS. Under REPS 4, all payments are to be made in just two instalments. The first payment, of 75%, can be made only when all administrative checks on all 2008 applications for REPS 4 and the Single Payment Scheme are completed. This is why it...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Public Participation Directive (PPD) was issued by the European Commission in order to provide members of the public with opportunities to participate on the permitting and ongoing regulation of certain categories of activities within Member States. Such opportunities are provided through access to information, justice, and through consultation on certain key documents. The transposition...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The provision of 100% grants for the establishment costs of afforestation has been a key element of national forestry policy and is considered essential to overcome the traditional reluctance to plant and to recognise the long-term commitment of land to forestry. However, the maximum grant aid available to applicants in Ireland for any afforestation scheme co-funded from EU and Exchequer...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 567 to 569, inclusive, together. I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy. My Department conducted a series of countrywide information meetings for farmers on the introduction of the Single Payment Scheme during the latter half of 2004 and again during 2005. In addition, my Department published two separate booklets on the introduction of...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The total aid available to Ireland under the EFF amounts to €42 million for the period 2007 — 2013. In line with this funding, an Operational Programme for Fisheries in support of the seafood industry has been developed and approved by the EU Commission. Priority has been given to the Decommissioning of Fishing Vessels Scheme for which a total of €32 million has been set aside. A...