Results 3,001-3,020 of 18,450 for speaker:Brendan Smith
- Written Answers — Irish Horseracing Industry: Irish Horseracing Industry (11 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: Responsibility for the development of the sport horse industry rests mainly with Horse Sport Ireland, an organization established in 2007 in accordance with the proposals outlined in The Dowling Report (July 2006). Horse Sport Ireland, working with its affiliate organizations, is putting in place policies, practices and plans that will lead to the sustainable development of a vibrant sport...
- Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (11 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: Since taking up the Agriculture Fisheries and Food portfolio in June 2008, it has been highlighted to me very forcefully by the Federation of Irish Fishermen that it is essential to have in place a level playing field on control across the EU. The EU Commission estimates that 88% of EU stocks are over-exploited and scientists have recommended closure of 19% of fisheries. These are shocking...
- Written Answers — Food Security: Food Security (11 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: According to the European Commission's latest statistics, the EU's overall trade in agricultural produce is fairly close to balance with its total trade of almost â¬153 billion in 2007, split between imports of â¬77.4 billion and exports of â¬75.1 billion. Broadly speaking, the EU is a net importer of raw products such as tropical products, certain fruit and vegetables and oils/oilseeds...
- Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (11 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: Teagasc has prepared a development strategy for the Irish pig industry, which identifies the issues facing the sector and makes certain recommendations. The 'Pig Industry Strategy Steering Group', which includes representation from my Department and all sectors of the industry, has been established for the purpose of furthering those recommendations. This group will identify, prioritise and...
- Written Answers — Sheep Sector: Sheep Sector (11 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: Approximately 70% of Irish sheepmeat production is exported, mainly to the high-value EU market. Traditionally, France has been the major export market for Irish lamb and in 2008 it accounted for more than 50% of Irish sheepmeat exports. The French market, however, has been in decline due to a fall in consumption and demand. Also, Irish sheepmeat is facing strong competition on the French...
- Written Answers — State Laboratories: State Laboratories (11 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: The Veterinary Laboratory Service of the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food provides a broad range of pathology and microbiology based tests (in particular, those associated with the diagnosis of scheduled diseases) for equines in Ireland. Samples for testing for the scheduled diseases â dourine, glanders and equine piroplasmosis â are sent abroad by exporting agencies for...
- Written Answers — State Laboratories: State Laboratories (11 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: A comprehensive array of laboratory tests are provided in the DAFF Laboratories to comply with regulatory requirements relating to testing of food and feed. Generally, turn-around times for test results comply with what has been agreed with the laboratory's customers. When it is more cost-effective (eg due to the need for sophisticated laboratory facilities), samples have been submitted to...
- Written Answers — Beef Industry: Beef Industry (11 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: My plans for the development of the beef sector can be summarised as follows: advanced processing methods and product development; sophisticated and targeted marketing; efficient farm production with quality assurance; and better scientifically based animal breeding. Ireland produces over 0.5 million tonnes of beef annually, over 90% of which is exported. More than 50% of these exports go to...
- Order of Business (12 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: When Fine Gael was in office in the 1980s there were not too many schemes in evidence.
- Written Answers — Food Security: Food Security (12 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: According to the European Commission's latest statistics, the EU's overall trade in agricultural produce is fairly close to balance with its total trade of almost â¬153 billion in 2007, split between imports of â¬77.4 billion and exports of â¬75.1 billion. Broadly speaking, the EU is a net importer of raw products such as tropical products, certain fruit and vegetables and oils/oilseeds...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have now been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. Payment of the initial 40 per cent to farmers will be made as expeditiously as possible.
- Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (12 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: Many suppliers of fruit and vegetables are experiencing trading difficulties in the current economic turmoil. Some of the difficulties are due to currency developments but they are mainly due to decisions made by the market outlets. These are commercial decisions made by private organisations and not something in which I would be entitled to intervene. I understand that the enterprise to...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant for grant-aid under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. My Department is currently examining the application and a decision will be made as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (12 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: Only fully completed applications made under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and received by my Department up to and including 14 October 2008 are being processed. I have no proposals to re-open the Scheme.
- Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (12 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: The following tables set out, by month as requested by the Deputy, the number of FOI requests received, the number of requests granted, refused, part refused or withdrawn in the years 2007 and 2008. The monthly breakdown does not facilitate a direct co-relation between the requests received and the replies to those requests. Freedom of Information Requestsreceived in 2007 by the Department...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant for grant-aid under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. My Department is currently examining the application and a decision will be made as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant for grant-aid under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. A decision will be made in respect of the application as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant for grant-aid under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. A decision will be made in respect of the application as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant for grant-aid under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. My Department is currently examining the application and a decision will be made as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Feb 2009)
Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007-13 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before the first payments issue. The first payments for 2008 REPS 4 applications issued in the last week of January to those whose applications required no correction following the administrative checks....