Results 4,941-4,960 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2009. The 70% advance payment (€9,435.09) under the Single Payment Scheme issued on 9 October 2009 and the 30% balancing payment (€4,322.17) issued on 1 December 2009. Payment of €2,257.68 under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued directly to the person named on...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (15 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: Drafting of the Animal Health and Welfare Bill, which gives effect to commitments in the area of animal health and welfare contained in the Programme for Government and the renewed Programme for Government is ongoing in my Department. The legislation will amend and consolidate previous legislation in the area of animal health, particularly to reflect the changed disease status of our animals...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: In considering applications under the Foreshore Acts my Department consults with a range of statutory consultees and also takes due regard of broad Government policy on related matters. In the case of offshore renewable energy projects appropriate consideration is given to Government policy on energy provision in determining applications.

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: Where there are no deliveries made against a milk quota during two consecutive milk quota years (1 April to 31 March) the milk quota reverts to the national reserve with effect from the 1 April in the third year. This milk quota can be returned to the successor if they become a producer within two years of the date of reversion. However, due to the length of time that it can take to grant...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–2013 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue. Processing of applications, including that of the person named, is at an advanced stage. I hope to be in a position to release the 75%...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2009. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 22 September, with payments issuing in respect of those cases cleared for payment at that stage. This application was selected for and was the subject of a ground eligibility and full Cross Compliance...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application under the Scheme of Aid for Damaged Fodder was received from the person named on 11th December 2009. Under the Scheme, farmers are required to demonstrate that the fodder was damaged and the extent of that damage and to this end all applications under the scheme will be subject to an inspection. This application was issued for inspection by the Department's local staff on the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Government announcement of 8 July 2008 required that all expenditure by Departments on consultancies, advertising and public relations would be significantly reduced for the remainder of that year and by at least 50% in 2009 compared with 2008. There was no expenditure on public relations in either 2008 or 2009. The expenditure on consultancies and advertising is set out in the table...

Written Answers — Seafood Sector: Seafood Sector (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish State agency with responsibility for developing sustainable Irish Sea Fishing and Aquaculture industries, is an independent statutory agency. As the matters raised are operational matters for BIM. I have asked the CEO of BIM to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 308 to 310, inclusive, together. These are matters for the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), an independent authority, which was established under Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 on January 1st 2007. The Act clearly provides that the Authority is independent in the exercise of its functions and as such I have no remit as to its work...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: I announced the implementation of a €2 million targeted Scheme of Aid for Damaged Fodder on 27th November 2009. This Scheme is targeted at farmers, who encountered damage to fodder (silage, hay, straw, concentrates) in areas that suffered flooding in November 2009. Under the Scheme, farmers are required to demonstrate that the fodder was damaged and the extent of that damage. Initially,...

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 314 together. It is my view that the introduction of electronic identification (EID) should be on a voluntary basis for those farmers who could clearly derive benefit from the technology. This view has not been supported at EU level and the introduction of EID for sheep must come into force on a mandatory basis on 31 December 2009 having been already...

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: Under Council Regulation 21/2004 as amended the implementation date for the mandatory introduction of electronic tagging (EID) of sheep is definitively set at 31 December 2009. I have consistently sought the introduction of EID on a voluntary basis and most recently at the Agriculture Council on 20 November 2009. However, there is not sufficient support among other Member States or from the...

Written Answers — Departmental Fees: Departmental Fees (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The level of fees charged by my Department is determined by the type of approval sought by the applicant and reflects the amount of evaluation work involved in the assessment of the application. Annual renewal fees of €300 are levied on each pesticide product on the Irish market. Fees were introduced following consultation and agreement with the chemical industry. The current fee...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 317 together. There are three Special Advisors employed in my Department. Their details are as follows:- Name Title Annual Salary Dermot Ryan Special Advisor to Minister Brendan Smith €116,142.91 Philip Hannon Media Advisor to Minister Brendan Smith €99,845.46 Stiofán Nutty Special Advisor to Minister of State Trevor Sargent €102,439.22

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: A total of €21,226.91 was paid to 2 special advisers (Media Advisor to Minister Smith and Special Advisor to Minister of State Sargent) by way of contributions towards their pensions for 2009.

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: I am satisfied that expenditure on special advisors in my Department represents good value for money. In each case, special advisors employed by my Department are remunerated in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Department of Finance.

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: A total of 68 reports, documents and memos were translated since the commencement of the 30th Dáil on 14 June 2007. Details of these documents and the translation cost in respect of each are set out in the following table. Description Total Cost (€) E.U. Regulation 512.40 Document on Veterinary Medicine 900.24 Press Release 225.64 EU Premium Notice 150.28 Council Speaking Note l...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–2013 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue. Processing of applications, including that of the person named, is at an advanced stage. I hope to be in a position to begin releasing the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: An issue has arisen during the processing of the REPS 4 application from the person named and my officials will be in touch with him shortly. Processing of the application cannot be completed until this issue been resolved.