Results 261-280 of 18,442 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Food Safety Standards. (6 Feb 2007)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Crawford probably will be aware that a negative conclusion was reached in the European Parliament. The proposal now is that the Commission would give each member state the competence to make the decision itself. Unfortunately, that will not happen tomorrow either. It is also an important issue on which there has been some progress. We want to see further progress, as the Deputy...

Food Industry. (6 Feb 2007)

Brendan Smith: In keeping with commitments given in the Agri-Vision 2015 action plan, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, announced in November a beef and sheepmeat processing sector investment package totalling some €50 million. This grant assistance, which should trigger investment of some €120 million, is yet another clear indication of the Government's commitment to the...

Food Industry. (6 Feb 2007)

Brendan Smith: The objective of the scheme is to make financial assistance available towards the cost of the construction and acquisition of buildings, new machinery and equipment and, consequently, assist the industry in improving efficiency and competitiveness and, in so doing, not only strengthen primary processing but also underpin agricultural incomes. As regards the operation of weighing scales, I...

Food Industry. (6 Feb 2007)

Brendan Smith: The Metrology Act 1996 covers the last issues raised by Deputy Naughten, and Enterprise Ireland will shortly announce the details of the major investment programme which will trigger a total investment of €120 million in this sector. Companies may apply for grant aid to make their businesses more competitive and create greater efficiencies which will be for the benefit of the farming community.

Food Industry. (6 Feb 2007)

Brendan Smith: There has been no U-turn.

Finance Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Brendan Smith: Present company excluded.

Seanad: National Oil Reserves Agency Bill 2006: Second Stage (28 Feb 2007)

Brendan Smith: Molaim an Bille um an Ghníomhaireacht Chúltaca Ola Náisiúnta don Teach. I am pleased to have the opportunity to present the National Oil Reserves Agency Bill to the House. This Bill, which was initiated in the Dáil in June 2006, is an important part of the Government's energy agenda. The Government's Green Paper on energy policy, Towards a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland, has set...

Food Labelling. (8 Mar 2007)

Brendan Smith: The regulations governing the provision of country of origin information on beef in the catering sector were introduced by the Minister for Health and Children. Responsibility for enforcement of the regulations lies with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI. Officials of my Department have had extensive discussions with the Department of Health and Children and the FSAI during the...

Food Labelling. (8 Mar 2007)

Brendan Smith: In response to Deputy Upton's further questions, the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, met the chief executive of the FSAI yesterday and one of the issues that formed their discussion was the implementation of these regulations. As I may not have made it clear, there are more than 44,000 food businesses in this country of which over 29,000 are in the service sector. I recall reading a reply by the...

Food Labelling. (8 Mar 2007)

Brendan Smith: In constant negotiations and discussions between the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of Health and Children, we would always raise the need for adequate inspections to ensure that these new regulations are implemented properly. Of course the regulations include consumer rights as well and the consumers have been advised of their right to have the country of origin of...

Food Industry. (8 Mar 2007)

Brendan Smith: I am aware of the difficulties being faced by the vegetable industry and I am also aware, as the consultants outline, that it is an efficient industry, well positioned and operated by professional, expert growers who have been strongly supported by the Government over the past decade or so. The fresh vegetable sector is valued at around €80 million within an overall horticulture industry...

Food Industry. (8 Mar 2007)

Brendan Smith: I am aware of the challenges that face the industry. I have had the opportunity to visit Deputy Sargent's constituency of Dublin North on a number of occasions, where I met smaller growers as well as larger processors. It is almost one year since the Deputy accompanied me to an establishment in Ballyboughal which had received an investment of €7 million. This report draws on a range of...

Food Industry. (8 Mar 2007)

Brendan Smith: ——has gained significant benefits from forming producer organisations in terms of strengthening the bargaining power of individual suppliers. The rest of the vegetable sector has not availed of the opportunities offered by producer organisations but direct grant assistance is available from the EU and administered by my Department for them to do so. Deputy Sargent and his Dáil...

Food Industry. (8 Mar 2007)

Brendan Smith: Since 2002, mushroom growers have drawn down €22 million under the auspices of their producer organisation whereas fruit and vegetable growers have only drawn down €2 million. I accept there is a need for individual producers to have stronger muscle so that they obtain the return on their produce to which the are entitled and which they need to ensure the fruit and vegetable industry...

Food Safety Standards. (8 Mar 2007)

Brendan Smith: Meat imported from an EU source must come from an approved establishment and be accompanied to its destination with a commercial document or a health certificate signed by an official veterinarian of the competent authority of the member state of origin. In the case of importation from third countries, meat or meat products must originate in a country approved by the EU for trade in such...

Food Safety Standards. (8 Mar 2007)

Brendan Smith: We discussed Deputy Naughten's latter point in detail earlier in reply to Deputy Upton's question. The Minister for Health and Children outlined to the House in a reply to Deputies Naughten and Pattison that she was satisfied adequate resources are being provided to ensure environmental health officers can carry out the necessary inspection process. As we noted earlier, two thirds of the...

Food Safety Standards. (8 Mar 2007)

Brendan Smith: We want to ensure enforcement of regulations that were supported by all sides in this House, and into which there was much work put by the Department of Agriculture and Food, the Department of Health and Children and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. We want to see the best positive results from those regulations. We will ensure they will be complied with when implemented. In my initial...

Food Safety Standards. (8 Mar 2007)

Brendan Smith: The European Union has developed its own systems of traceability and animal welfare. The International Office for Animal Diseases sets the veterinary standards for international trade, usually the standards adopted by the World Trade Organisation. The Minister, Deputy Coughlan, at every forum available to her, has outlined clearly and in particular in the context of the WTO talks that we...

Ambulance Service. (8 Mar 2007)

Brendan Smith: I am taking this Adjournment debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I will ensure that Deputy Healy's comments are brought to the Minister's attention. Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive has responsibility for the provision of ambulance services. The HSE has advised that services for the Carrick-on-Suir area are provided...

People Trafficking Legislation. (8 Mar 2007)

Brendan Smith: I thank Deputy Costello for raising this important issue as it gives me an opportunity to speak on the Tánaiste's plans in this regard. Before doing so and to allay concerns that the current criminal law governing trafficking and sexual offences may be inadequate, I will outline some of the more important legislative provisions that can be used to protect victims of trafficking. There can...