Results 2,581-2,600 of 18,450 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Education and Training Programmes: Education and Training Programmes (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1254 to 1257, inclusive, together. I understand from Teagasc that training programmes are delivered at eight colleges and local centres in agriculture, horticulture, horse breeding/training and forestry. In 2008 a total of 746 students enrolled in further level training programmes bringing the total overall number participating in these programmes to 3,480....

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The National Development Plan 2007-2013 makes provision for the expenditure of €641m on Agri-Food Research over that period and my Department has also secured €13.67m in funding for collaborative research from the Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) on Research and Technological Development. Significant progress has been made in allocating funding for agri-food research. My Department...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: All non-core research funding programmes in my Department i.e. FIRM (Food Institutional Research Measure), RSF (Research Stimulus Fund) and COFORD (Forestry Research) are operated solely on a competitive basis. Calls for applications are widely publicised and all institutions with a research capability are eligible to compete. All applications are subjected to a robust 3-stage evaluation...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The completion of the 2008 Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme saw significant investment at both the six Fishery Harbour Centres (which now includes An Daingean) and various Local Authority owned harbours throughout the country. The following table shows the funding provided to Fishery Harbour Centre projects under the 2008 Programme. Fishery Harbours Centres ...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Cromane Harbour is owned by Kerry County Council which is responsible for its maintenance and development. My Department however allocated funding of €750,000 to Kerry County Council in 2008 in order to advance the development of the Harbour. Kerry County Council encountered delays in securing land required for the advancement of the project and were not in a position to draw down the...

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: I am happy to report that Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the Sea Fisheries Board, the agency responsible for developing sustainable Irish Sea Fishing and Aquaculture industries, is currently actively engaging with co-operatives from the main Fishery Harbours and has put in place a comprehensive programme of work including: Seafood quality training for both co-op staff and members; and Developing key...

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1263 and 1271 together. A voluntary fishing vessel decommissioning scheme focussed on the larger whitefish vessels over 18 metres was formally launched in February 2008. The scheme which is now closed has resulted in a total of some 6,900 GT being removed from the Irish sea-fishing boat register. The decommissioning scheme was launched with the objective of...

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: BIM delivers grant aid schemes for fleet safety and diversification as well as support for the inshore sector. These schemes will continue to be available to fishermen. BIM is responsible for the provision of seafood industry training in Ireland. Training is delivered at BIM's National Fisheries College (NFC), Greencastle, Co. Donegal, the Regional Fisheries Centre (RFC) Castletownbere, Co....

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: BIM and the Marine Institute implement a policy of grant aiding investment to improve our marine environment. Examples include: the Beaufort Awards which, in conjunction with the Marine Institute, funds research on ecosystem management; and a range of projects under the Science/ Industry partnership which focus on the reduction of discards in fisheries.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: There are currently a number of initiatives being pursued by Bord Iascaigh Mhara aimed at enhancing the supply chain both at onboard level and in auction centres. BIM is delivering training at its training centres to upgrade skill levels of fishermen. 'Steering a New Course' the National Strategic Plan sets out a number of avenues to support economic and social development of maritime...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: BIM has in place an ongoing programme of grant aiding new onboard technologies. It is also currently carrying out trials on an eco-friendly pelagic fishing net. The aim of such initiatives is to incentivise industry in adopting environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient fishing gear that is species and size selective, minimising the impact of fishing gear on sensitive habitats and...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Grant funding for the Aquaculture Sector is provided for under the NDP 2007-2013 Operational Programme which is being finalised at present. In 2009 €5 million has been allocated under the Aquaculture Development Measure in the Operational Programme. Since June 2007, total investment in Aquaculture amounted to some €20 million (of which €9.6m is grant aid) in 133 projects. Of these,...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Significant progress has been made over the last number of years towards developing Ireland's reputation as a centre of excellence for marine research. Sea Change, A Marine Knowledge, Research & Innovation Strategy for Ireland 2007-2013, was launched by Government in February 2007. Sea Change aims to drive the development of Ireland's marine sector as a dynamic element of our knowledge...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: In association with national agencies (EI, SFI, IDA) and academic centres, and in partnership with a number of international centres, the Marine Institute is leading the development of a National Marine Biodiscovery Programme. This Programme, funded by a €7.3 million grant from the Beaufort Marine Research Awards Scheme, is designed to identify and develop uses for novel compounds isolated...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Four offshore sites have been designated at EU level as Marine Special Areas of Conservation. A number of sites have also been designated in inshore waters. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is working with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, and the Marine Institute to introduce arrangements that will allow for appropriate...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: All fishing vessels on the Irish Sea Fishing Boat Register, and indeed all EU-registered sea fishing boats, are subject to regulation of their activities under the provisions of the Common Fisheries Policy, wherever in the world they are fishing and whether they are within the territorial waters of a third country or on the high seas. With the adoption of the Council Conclusions of July...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) monitors cetacean by-catches in fisheries. The programme targets, in particular, fisheries where problems with cetacean by-catches are perceived to exist — such as gillnet fisheries and the pair fishery for albacore tuna — although all relevant fisheries are being monitored. Ireland supplies observer data to the European Commission on an annual basis as required...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: BIM continues to encourage and support Irish seafood companies producing high value branded seafood in developing and accessing export markets including: Detailed market intelligence reports to provide focus and competitive advantage for Irish companies. Business Development. This provides a range of company mentoring and development services. During 2008 Business Development co-funded 29...

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Ireland was at the forefront of the EU debate on the introduction of electronic logbooks for larger fishing vessels. New rules were agreed that will apply from 1/1/2010 and will give real time access to coastal states such as Ireland to fishing records of vessels in its 200 mile zone. The Department has, in conjunction with the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, the Department of Defence and...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: A system of Electronic Sales Notes is in operation for all landings by Irish vessels or non-Irish vessels into Ireland. This system is administered by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. Ireland has advocated, at EU level, for other member states to also introduce similar electronic systems. In this regard Commission Regulation (EC) No 1077/2008, which was adopted on the 3rd November...