Results 2,941-2,960 of 18,450 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: In 2008, €9,759,552.12 was paid to 2,140 participants in REPS 2.

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: Almost 17,400 payment claims remain to be processed to payment stage under the Farm Waste Management Scheme in 2009. It is not possible at this stage to provide a date for the completion of all farm inspections required to be carried out under the Scheme. However, my Department will endeavour to ensure that these inspections are completed within the shortest time possible and has introduced...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 128 together. The information requested by the Deputy will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: The information requested by the Deputy is shown in the following table. 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Number of aquaculture licence applications received 58 70 73 68 38 26 Number of aquaculture licences granted 23 38 34 25 10 1 Number of Aquaculture licences granted by Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board 2 9 3 1 3 0 The figures provided do not include renewal, assignment, revocation,...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: In 2008, €301,303,772.78 was paid to 44,325 participants in REPS 3.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: I expect 46,376 REPS 3 participants to be in the scheme on 15 May 2009. There are currently 12,773 applicants for REPS 4, made up of 10,773 who submitted applications and farm plans by 15 May 2008, another 1,546 who submitted farm plans after 15 May 2008 under the special arrangement agreed with the European Commission for farmers in REPS 2 with contracts terminating in 2008 after 15 May, and...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: The deadline for completion of work and the submission of claims for grant payment under the Farm Waste Management Scheme expired on 31 December 2008 although applicants were permitted to submit certain supporting documentation up to 9 January 2009. Last week, the Government took a number of decisions on the overall Expenditure Control and Economic Strategy that included the funding for the...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: The EU Fisheries Councils in November and December 2008 adopted a new Cod Recovery Plan, as set out in Council Regulation (EC) No. 1342/2008 and Annex IIa of the 2009 TAC and Quota Regulation (EC) No 43/2009. These Regulations are applicable to the fishing fleets of all Member States fishing with specified fishing gears in the relevant sea areas. Under these Regulations, Ireland and other...

Written Answers — Fishing Quota: Fishing Quota (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: The representatives of the polyvalent (multipurpose) vessels in the Irish fleet sought an increased share of Ireland's mackerel quota for 2009, while the representatives of the Refrigerated Salt Water (RSW) fleet, based in the north-west opposed any increase in the share for the polyvalent vessels. The background to the situation is that the allocation arrangements were last revised in 2001....

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 155 together. The deal I secured for Irish farmers in the Health Check negotiations was a very good one in very challenging circumstances. In terms of additional payments to farmers, the deal itself is worth over €90 million over the coming years. This money arises as a result of the agreement secured by Member States to utilise unspent Single Farm...

Written Answers — Special Areas of Conservation: Special Areas of Conservation (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department is in consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the EU Commission to agree future procedures to ensure that all applications for aquaculture licences are fully compliant with the requirements of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. €1.46 million has been set aside specifically to support...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: I regard the Strategy for a Restructured, Sustainable and Profitable Irish Seafood Industry 2007-13 (The Cawley Report) as the blueprint for the development of the seafood sector going forward. An implementation group, the Seafood Strategy Implementation Group (SSIG) was set up in 2007 under the chairmanship of Dr Noel Cawley. It is comprised of stakeholders from all sectors of the industry...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: The following table shows a breakdown of applications received under the Early Retirement Scheme in 2007 and 2008 by farm holdings transferred to family members and non-family members. Early Retirement Scheme Transfers to family members Transfers to non-family members 2007 91 48 2008 211 116 Most of these transfers were by lease. Definitive transfers of holdings were as follows: ...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: Dairy product prices reached record high levels in 2007 and early 2008 and producer prices also peaked in that time. Since then international dairy product prices have fallen back considerably, although the average Irish producer price for 2008 was similar to the 2007 price. Indications are that markets will remain weak in the first half of 2009 and I made clear to Commissioner Fischer Boel...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: Of the 12,319 farmers who are eligible for 2008 REPS 4 scheme payments, 10,773 applied before the 15 May 2008 and a further 1,546 applied under the special arrangement agreed with the EU Commission for REPS 2 plans terminating in 2008 whereby farmers with plans terminating on or before the 31 August had to lodge their application by 15 May 2008 and a full plan by 31 July 2008, and those...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 152 together. Dairy farmers incomes are comprised of the market price paid for milk and direct income support from the EU. Market forces have a significant and increasing influence on the price paid for milk. World market prices determine the returns received by dairy processors and these in turn are reflected in the price paid to farmers. In...

Written Answers — North-South Ministerial Council: North-South Ministerial Council (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: This meeting had to be cancelled because the DUP Minister scheduled to attend was delayed at Heathrow Airport.

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: As I indicated to the Joint Oireachtas on Agriculture I am establishing a review group with representatives from my Department, the Department of Health and Children and other state agencies concerned, to examine all aspects of the dioxin incident and to make recommendations as to the future policy in this area. Dr. P. Wall, associate professor of Public Health at UCD, has agreed to chair...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: The provision in my Department's vote for REPS in 2009 is €355 million.

Written Answers — Agricultural Exports: Agricultural Exports (11 Feb 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Irish agri-food and fisheries sector is operating in a global market that is experiencing significant challenges and unprecedented change and at the same time providing significant long term opportunities. Despite the well documented challenges in the global market, I believe that this indigenous industry has the potential to boost export returns and approach €10 billion in annual...