Results 5,101-5,120 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Creed should note that in no way am I being disingenuous. We are entitled to check if a question is suitable when it refers to the detailed work of a semi-State organisation.

Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: That is good and I appreciate it. The Deputy might also consider lauding the Government for the major investment in the past-----

Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy should also laud the Government in parallel terms for the major funding that has been put into research, development and innovation in recent years, including in our universities, institutes of technology and our research centres.

Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: We are not working against innovation and research; we are supporting it very well and we work in collaboration with Teagasc to ensure the needs of Teagasc are addressed and that it works to priorities.

Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: I did not send any such letter and I am not aware of any correspondence.

Departmental Agencies. (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: I am not aware-----

Animal Identification Scheme. (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: The introduction of EID for sheep was agreed at EU level in late 2003. At that time, it was agreed to defer the implementation date until January 2008. The Council of Agriculture Ministers revisited this issue in December 2007 when it was agreed that the deadline for the compulsory introduction of EID should be set for 31 December 2009, six years after the original decision was taken. I...

Animal Identification Scheme. (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: In regard to Britain, Northern Ireland has not applied for the derogations we received and it is intended to implement the mandatory scheme, as it is outlined by the European Commission. I mentioned earlier - maybe nobody was listening, as Deputy Doyle said - that the Department-----

Animal Identification Scheme. (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: -----is involved in consultations with all the farm organisations and all stakeholders in regard to the practical implementation of the scheme. I have consistently outlined, at meetings of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and in this House, that we totally opposed the mandatory introduction of the EID, that we had no support around the table of the Council of Ministers,...

Animal Identification Scheme. (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: There will be a requirement regarding the new numbering system. It will have a different number of characters. Some years ago the 13 digit sheep tag system was introduced. That will be incompatible, but there will be a period where there will be a crossover. The new 12 digit number will be introduced with the country code. A 12 digit code containing much of the elements of the whole...

Pigmeat Sector. (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: A total of 2,465 farmers are involved in pig production. Details of the number of farmers on a county by county basis are set out in the table. The pig sector accounts for approximately 6% of gross agricultural output. It is a significant employer both directly and indirectly, accounting for more than 7,000 jobs, many of which are in rural areas and small towns. The sector has the...

Pigmeat Sector. (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: I thank Deputy Crawford for his comments on the re-opening of the Russian market. We hope that will help to improve prices and grow the market. The Russian market available to our exporters is of substantial importance overall. Regarding young persons, as Deputy Crawford will be aware, some months ago I launched a Teagasc pig husbandry scheme in Ballyhaise agricultural college. The course...

Pigmeat Sector. (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: As the Deputy will be aware, some considerable time ago we put forward a proposal to the European Commission in respect of country of origin labelling for pigmeat, sheepmeat and poultrymeat. Unfortunately, the European Commission rejected our proposals and we were not allowed to proceed with them. Now the issue of adequate labelling is again under discussion in the Commission and we have...

Pigmeat Sector. (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: Regarding Deputy Crawford's point and speaking of individual producers and about the industry in general, there are now much better on-farm facilities for pig production. Some years ago the sow-housing scheme was introduced and has been very successful. The farm waste management scheme was made applicable to the pig industry for the first time. During the course of the coming year we will...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Annual bi-lateral negotiations with Norway concluded late yesterday evening after a marathon session which commenced on Tuesday 19th January. Indeed this session follows three other such meetings – two in Bergen, Norway and one in Brussels – which were held in November and December last. The EU/Norway agreement forms part of what are collectively known as the "Northern Agreements"....

Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) virus and Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus are two viral agents that have been recognised as being endemic and causing disease in animals in Ireland for decades. Johne's disease is an infectious disease of cattle, sheep and goats associated with infections by a bacterium (Mycobacterium paratuberculosis). It causes wasting in all the above species and...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: Issues relating to eligibility for pensions are a matter for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. Following a review of certain pension claims, it was discovered that a number of individuals who had been in receipt of a pension did not satisfy the condition whereby they were required to have paid at least one year's self employment contributions before reaching age 66. As they did not...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: Ireland's amended Rural Development Programme, including a new agri-environment scheme, was presented to the EU Rural Development Management Committee in Brussels on 20 January. This followed detailed and protracted discussions with the Commission. The Committee agreed the programme and the Commission will now proceed to take a formal decision to approve it. This procedure is expected to...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: The package of fish quotas and other conservation measures for 2010 were agreed at the December 2009 Fisheries Council after a marathon 36 hours of intensive negotiations. Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at this Department, represented Ireland at those negotiations. I welcome the agreement reached and I am satisfied that it provides a balanced and fair outcome for Irish fishermen. The...

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (27 Jan 2010)

Brendan Smith: The submission of a detailed five year business plan by all new applicants is now required as part of the application process for the Organic Farming Scheme. The purpose of the Business Plan is to facilitate an assessment of the level of farming activity and sustainability of the business which is the subject of the application. The Scheme conditions were amended as a result of a review of...