Results 4,181-4,200 of 4,571 for speaker:Trevor Sargent

Fishing Industry: Motion (1 Jul 2008)

Trevor Sargent: I support the hard work and efforts of my Department colleagues, the Minister, Deputy Brendan Smith, and the Minister of State, Deputy Tony Killeen, to find resolutions to the difficult challenges faced by the fishing industry. As pointed out by the Minister and Members in Fine Gael, the current circumstances in the fishing industry have been developing over time. The Irish fishing industry...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Trevor Sargent: Nothing constructive then.

Grant Payments. (22 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: Is mian liom ar dtús buíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta Ferris a thug an deis dom an rún seo a phlé. Ireland is currently experiencing a period of economic turbulence stemming from both international and domestic factors and the context for this year's budget differs very considerably from those in the past 15 years. The most recent figures from the Department of Finance show that...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) (Resumed) (23 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: Violence.

Education Cuts: Motion (Resumed) (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: Thanks.

Industrial Disputes. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: Agricultural officers in my Department who are members of the IMPACT union commenced industrial action on 6 October. IMPACT alleges that the Department has acted in breach of Towards 2016 by not informing the union in advance of changes in work practices. IMPACT has instructed its members to work to rule; not to undertake overtime; not to undertake tasks or functions associated with posts...

Industrial Disputes. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: It is a complex issue and I am not quite sure it is at the heart of the dispute. There may be other consequences arising from the dispute. In fact, we are dealing with more than 100 schemes here. Obviously, REPS and the farm waste management scheme are two of the highest profile schemes and we do not want to see any delays in these. I am hopeful that resolution of the dispute will ensure...

Industrial Disputes. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: I reiterate that this matter is being dealt with. The Deputy is right. It is an urgent matter but in working on this draft today the reply has changed in the time since I first saw it. It referred to arranging a meeting as a matter of urgency and now, as I have been able to tell the Deputy, the meeting will take place tomorrow. I understand it will be at 2 p.m. but I ask the Deputy not to...

Industrial Disputes. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: I will find out if there is missing information.

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: The sheep sector is an important part of the overall agrifood sector and its future depends on its ability to meet the needs of the market. The sheep industry strategy development group and the subsequent implementation group set the blueprint for the sector's future development. Most of the recommendations fall to be implemented by the industry. However, the Department and the State...

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: There will be an increase of 8% in disadvantaged areas scheme payments.

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: That amount might not be as much as people might like. However, we are doing our best within budgetary restraints that exist. We are not doing what the Deputy is attempting to do, namely, create a negative impression.

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: Deputy Doyle inquired as to why sheep numbers have decreased and he probably knows the answer to that question. As stated earlier, there is an issue to be addressed as regards the demand for sheepmeat. We must ensure that this demand increases.

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: The situation is not helped by the fact that since the advent of single farm payments, farmers are no longer required to retain sheep for premia purposes. There was, therefore, a support based on numbers rather than on the areas in which the people affected were living. Prices for the year are up by approximately 5% on last year. There has been a drop in recent weeks. This is a...

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: ——the provision of the kind of supports to which the Deputy refers. We must co-operate in respect of this matter.

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: I travelled to Paris in order to assist Bord Bia in its promotions because the French market is extremely important to Ireland. The reality is that sheepmeat is primarily being bought by older customers. We must try to bring about a change in that regard. This is the challenge we face. If Deputy Doyle has any useful suggestions to make, I would be more than happy to listen to them.

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: I am aware of the reply to which the Deputy refers. There is no restriction with regard to sheep movements between the North and the South.

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: In terms of animals for slaughter, the Deputy is aware from the reply in question that Bord Bia promotes Ireland as the "Food Island".

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: We do not have in place the restrictions that would be required if a problem arose. However, there is no such problem. We market the island as the "Food Island" and sheepmeat comes into the equation in that regard.

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: I take the Deputy's point. There may be a need to contact the authorities in Northern Ireland or Scotland in that regard. As already stated, however, we take a "one-island" approach. The Malone report must be the point of focus for——