Results 3,421-3,440 of 18,450 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Beef Exports: Beef Exports (24 Mar 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...

Written Answers — Sheep Sector: Sheep Sector (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: I believe that the report of the Sheep Industry Strategy Development Group provides a proper framework for the future development of the sheep sector. While most of the group's recommendations are to be implemented by the industry itself, a number of them fall within the remit of my Department and the state agencies under my aegis. The current position regarding the implementation of these...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: 2057The Minister for Health and Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Under the general labelling Directive (2000/13/EC), the place of origin of the foodstuff must be given only if its absence might mislead the consumer to a material degree. The European Commission is currently undertaking a major review of all food labelling legislation. In this...

Written Answers — Poultry Industry: Poultry Industry (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: 2057Detailed EU legislation lays down the conditions that Member States must apply to the production of and trade in products of animal origin, including poultry meat and poultry meat products, as well as to imports of these products from third countries. Under harmonised legislation a series of health and supervisory requirements are applied in the Member States to ensure that animal...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: In general, responsibility for control and enforcement at retail level of labelling of meat and meat products rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). My Department is responsible for the operation of EU controls on imports of products of animal origin under the service contract with the FSAI and in compliance with Community rules for the hygiene of food and feed. These rules...

Written Answers — Animal Feedstuffs: Animal Feedstuffs (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: The average annual yield of the cereals in Ireland is of the order of 2m tonnes, over eighty percent of which is used for animal feed. Ireland has, on average, an annual shortfall of about 550k tonnes of cereals per annum for use as animal feed. This shortfall is met by imports, mainly from continental Europe. In 2007, due to adverse weather conditions, there was a significant decline in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: The first phase of the REPS 4 payment issued to the person named on 20 February.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Mar 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....

Written Answers — Departmental Allowances: Departmental Allowances (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: The provision of such allowances is a day-to-day operational matter for each State Body under the aegis of my Department and as such, I have no function in the matter.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: The first phase of the REPS 4 payment will issue to the person named in the next ten days.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: An appeal by the person concerned for non payment of grants under the Hardship Grant Scheme is currently being processed by the District Veterinary Office. It is expected that a decision will be taken on this matter in the near future and a letter detailing the decision will be sent directly to the person concerned.

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: The area for which the licences are sought is a designated Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 site). In the course of assessing the applications a number of complexities have arisen due to the Natura 2000 status of the area. As a result further consultation is necessary with the National Parks...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Mar 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....

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: The information requested is set out in the table. County Number paid to 24 March 2009 Carlow 54 Cavan 187 Clare 483 Cork 687 Donegal 725 Dublin 7 Galway 648 Kerry 237 Kildare 72 Kilkenny 137 Laois 210 Leitrim 54 Limerick 322 Longford 161 Louth 52 Mayo 345 Meath 106 Monaghan 207 Offaly 113 Roscommon 358 Sligo 204 Tipperary 391 Waterford 94 Westmeath 167 Wexford 145...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Mar 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....

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person named submitted an application under the 2008 Single Payment Scheme on 21st April 2008. The application as been fully processed and payment due under the scheme issued on 19th March 2009.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Hardship Grant Scheme, which runs from 1 November to 30 April, is designed to alleviate the additional feed costs incurred by some owner/keepers whose holdings are restricted during this period on foot of a full herd re-test. The terms and conditions of the scheme provide that the onus is on potentially eligible owner/keepers to apply for the grant and that payment is determined from the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Mar 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....

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have 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. I have also announced that a special ex-gratia payment not exceeding 3.5 per cent of the value of the deferred...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: A letter requesting an amended plan was issued to the person named on 11 March. No payments can be processed until this plan is received.