Results 241-260 of 2,304 for speaker:John Browne

Draft Animal Remedies Regulations 2005: Motion (Resumed). (19 Oct 2005)

John Browne: The Deputy reads too many newspapers.

Draft Animal Remedies Regulations 2005: Motion (Resumed). (19 Oct 2005)

John Browne: That was some performance.

Ferns Report: Statements (Resumed). (9 Nov 2005)

John Browne: I thank Deputy Glennon for sharing time. We are all shocked and dismayed at the extent of the allegations of abuse detailed in the Ferns Report. It makes sorry reading for all of us and especially for people like myself, born and raised in County Wexford. While rumour and innuendo were about for a number of years, people in Wexford remain shell-shocked at the catalogue of abuse which the...

Alternative Energy Projects. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has overall responsibility for energy policy and is primarily responsible for the promotion and development of renewable energy, including biofuels. Nonetheless, the development of the biofuels industry is a cross-sectoral issue impinging on several policy areas, for example, those related to environment and fiscal policy as well...

Alternative Energy Projects. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: I read with interest Deputy Naughten's speech at the Ard-Fheis on this issue. I notice that most if not all the issues he raised in his document were ones we have been encouraging for the past year. In reply to the Deputy, the scheme for relief on excise duty, which is operated by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, is very successful and some of the projects are...

Alternative Energy Projects. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: On the waste issue, my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, made an announcement today and it will be in the Deputy's pigeonhole soon.

Alternative Energy Projects. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: The wind turbine issue is a matter for the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey. Having been in that Department for the best part of two years, I am very much aware of the importance of such projects.

Alternative Energy Projects. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: It is very much part and parcel of farm incomes. Indeed, in my county and many counties farmers have received planning permission in that regard and many of the wind turbines have been erected. There are difficulties with connection to the grid and the cost factor, and the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, is working on that. On the three...

Alternative Energy Projects. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: I have had direct discussions with farming organisations and farmers. Willow growing is not viable at present. We, therefore, decided to run with a pilot scheme of 500 hectares which is grant-aided substantially and we will see how that works. If that is successful——

Alternative Energy Projects. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: ——obviously the pilot scheme will become——

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: REPS 3 was launched in June 2004 and by July 2005 we had exceeded the previous record level of participants in the scheme. There are more than 48,000 farmers in REPS and the numbers are rising steadily. We hope there will be approximately 50,000 farmers in the scheme by the end of the year and I expect further significant growth in 2006. Last year we spent approximately €208 million on REPS...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: As of now, REPS 3 remains open. Farmers can still join that scheme and be assured of a full five-year contract under the existing rules and at the existing payment rates. While REPS 3 will certainly close in December 2006, it might close sooner or the rules might change. REPS 1 was due to end in December 1999 but six months prior to that date, the Commission decided that anybody joining it...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: I am informed that the level of penalties in REPS is low, under 3%. From my representations to the REPS section, I find that the officials are usually helpful and supportive and usually iron out any difficulties. If the Deputy has specific instances in mind, perhaps he will pass them on to us and we will see what we can do to help him.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: To date each country has put in its own plan. Our plan in respect of REPS 3 has been complimented as one of the best submitted and I am sure we will try to achieve the same standard in the case of REPS 4. I will investigate the possibility of having discussions with representatives from Northern Ireland — I am easy on that.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: I only have experience from my county——

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: Usually, if one applies to the REPS section in Johnstown Castle beforehand——

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: ——it will give one permission to do as outlined. As Deputy Howlin will know, there is a policy in Wexford such that if a hedgerow is removed, it must be replaced farther in from its original location. A replacement condition applies to planning in my county — I do not know the position in other counties. An agreement is usually reached with the REPS planners on hedgerows.

Sugar Industry Reform. (6 Dec 2005)

John Browne: I thank Deputies Sherlock and Hayes for raising this important issue. The recent agreement by the Council of Agriculture Ministers on reform of the EU sugar regime was the culmination of a protracted and difficult negotiating process. I am satisfied that the outcome from Ireland's perspective was the best possible deal in the circumstances. The reasons reform of the sugar regime could no...

Sugar Industry Reform. (6 Dec 2005)

John Browne: I will come to that point presently.

Sugar Industry Reform. (6 Dec 2005)

John Browne: In the event that sugar production ceases in Ireland, a once-off payment of almost €44 million would be available for growers. In addition, the restructuring fund of up to €145 million would become available to provide compensation for the economic, social and environmental costs arising from factory closure. The agreement provides that at least 10% of the fund shall be reserved for sugar...