Results 4,241-4,260 of 4,571 for speaker:Trevor Sargent
- Agriculture: Motion (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: I am clarifying our position.
- Agriculture: Motion (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: The Minister has secured national discretion in the CAP health check for the operation of specific supports funded from the single payment ceiling. Last night he stated: I have previously expressed my concern for the sheep sector in particular and have repeatedly acknowledged that this sector needs support, given its importance. . . The sector remains a priority and is one that needs...
- Agriculture: Motion (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: Despite the current economic difficulties, a growth rate of 14% was achieved up to October 2008 according to Bord Bia research.
- Agriculture: Motion (Resumed) (3 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: The outcome of the CAP health check presents a real opportunity to position our world class dairy sector to take advantage of the abolition of milk quotas in 2015. The securing of an increase in production capacity of 9.3% by 2014 is a considerable negotiating achievement and a tribute to the Minister and his team. The Minister has undertaken to revisit the decisions as soon as circumstances...
- Financial Services Regulation. (4 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: Ar dtús báire, ba mhaith liom a rá gur oth liom nach bhfuil an tAire Airgeadais, an Teachta Brian Lenihan, i láthair. D'iarr sé orm an freagra seo a thabhairt don Teachta Bannon. I wish to start by addressing the Deputy's concerns on the need for supports for those who may fall into arrears on their mortgages and I will later address the issue of how mortgage providers deal with such...
- Social Welfare Benefits. (4 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: Is olc liom a rá nach bhfuil mo chomhghleacaÃ, an tAire Gnóthaà Sóisialacha agus Teaghlaigh, an Teachta Mary Hanafin, i láthair. Táim cinnte go mbeidh sà ag léamh an Tuairisc Oifigiúil. I thank Deputy Durkan for raising a clear example of a difficulty of which I know the Minister, Deputy Mary Hanafin, will be very much aware. The supplementary welfare allowance scheme provides for...
- Social Welfare Benefits. (4 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: Her weekly income after paying the full amount of mortgage interest due is over â¬360 per week in respect of herself and one child. If she is not satisfied with the decision of the community welfare officer, it is open to her to appeal against the decision to the executive's designated appeals office.
- Social Welfare Benefits. (4 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: I ask the Deputy to take up the matter with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Hanafin.
- Recall of Irish Pork and Bacon Products: Statements (9 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: Up Longford.
- Fisheries Council: Statements (9 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: I have had a number of opportunities to address this House and the Seanad on fisheries matters of late in a challenging time for our fishermen. I have welcomed each of these opportunities as it is my firm belief that it is our collective duty to engage in informed debate to enlighten the policy formulation process for the betterment of the industry. The subject of this debate is the December...
- Fisheries Council: Statements (9 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: Ar dtús báire ba mhaith liom buÃochas a ghabháil leis na comhaltaà go léir a labhair ar an dÃospóireacht thábhachtach seo faoi chúrsaà iascaireachta. D'éist mé go géar agus go cúramach leo agus beidh mé ag caint leis an Aire Stáit, Deputy Tony Killeen, i dtaobh na tuairimà agus na moltaà a d'ardaigh Teachtaà le linn na dÃospóireachta. I want to assure the House that we...
- Fisheries Council: Statements (9 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: Deputy Ferris raised the issue of cod recovery measures agreed at the November Fisheries Council. Under the cod recovery plan agreed at the Council, a limit on time at sea will apply to vessels targeting whitefish. The time at sea, established through Ireland's fishing vessels track record in the area, will, for the first time, be administered by each member state. Our officials have been...
- Seanad: Recall of Irish Pork and Bacon Products: Statements (10 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: Tá áthas orm deis a fháil labhairt sa Seanad ar an t-ábhar tábhachtach tráthúil seo. I am pleased to have the opportunity to make a comprehensive statement on the circumstances that led to the weekend's recall of all Irish pork and bacon products and to help clarify issues that have arisen since. I will start by giving a brief chronology of the lead-up to the recall of the pork and...
- Seanad: Recall of Irish Pork and Bacon Products: Statements (10 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: That is not true. It was not passed to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland or the Department.
- Seanad: Recall of Irish Pork and Bacon Products: Statements (10 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: It is like Hans Christian Andersen.
- Seanad: Recall of Irish Pork and Bacon Products: Statements (10 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: I will be doing well to deal in five minutes with the considerable number of contributions from Senators, all of which I appreciate. I will do my best to address the questions raised. I, too, would like more time to debate this matter but, like the Cathaoirleach, I am bound by the orders of the House. Senator Bradford asked if the response to this crisis might have been a bit over the top....
- Seanad: Recall of Irish Pork and Bacon Products: Statements (10 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: No, absolutely not. We have been testing, and paying for it, and we have been happy to do so because we need those tests. I am simply giving Members this information because I am being absolutely honest with them to ensure they are not under any illusion as to what is involved. It is well worth the money involved. Our laboratories are sophisticated in dealing with everything other than...
- Seanad: Recall of Irish Pork and Bacon Products: Statements (10 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: I will have to wrap up even though I have much more to say. Many Senators raised points and I would like to respond to each of them. I agree with Senator Boyle's comment that there is an issue in terms of our waste facilities and we need to ensure we do not add to dioxin burden. However, we should understand and spread the message that we have the lowest dioxin burden in this country...
- Estimates for Public Services 2008 (17 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: I have taken note of the order and will endeavour to respond to Members' questions as best I can. I thank Members for their contributions. There is no doubt that the pig sector has been adversely affected by recent events. The primary responsibility of Government was to protect public health and to safeguard the excellent reputation of Irish food. The evidence shows that the Government...
- Estimates for Public Services 2008 (17 Dec 2008)
Trevor Sargent: I do not accept that. On the public health issue, I need only refer to the independent scientific assessment from the European Food Safety Authority. I take this opportunity to once again emphasise that Irish pork and bacon is safe to eat. It is important also to reiterate that we continue to take seriously our food safety responsibilities. The Minister, Deputy Smith, referred to the...