Results 5,561-5,580 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (11 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: Due to industrial action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (11 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: Payments due in respect of the 2009 Single Payment Scheme application of the person named have issued as per the Attachment Order lodged with my Department.

Written Answers — Teagasc Training Services: Teagasc Training Services (11 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: The provision of training courses in the agriculture sector is a matter for Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority. Subject to the provisions of the Act, and other requirements it is the responsibility of the Teagasc Authority to exercise full and effective control over the organisation including the level of allowances paid to agriculture students. Ministerial responsibility...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (11 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 191, 203 and 204 together. Due to Industrial Action in my Department I am not in a position to provide a reply to these questions.

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (11 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: Agricultural production in Ireland and the EU must be viewed in the context of a reformed and evolving Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with much more competitive EU and world commodity markets. As a result of the reformed CAP farmers can now take advantage of the freedom to farm exclusively for the market. They can focus on meeting the requirements of the consumer in a competitive manner....

Written Answers — Livestock Numbers: Livestock Numbers (11 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 to 195, inclusive, together. The CSO publishes detailed statistics with regards to livestock numbers in Ireland. The December Livestock Survey is available on the CSO website at www.cso.ie and presents estimates of numbers of livestock in December 2008 at State level. The table below present the data from the last 5 December 2008 Livestock Surveys...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (11 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: Due to industrial action by staff in my Department, I am unable to provide a reply to this question.

Written Answers — Dairy Industry: Dairy Industry (11 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: Dairy farmers' incomes comprise the market price paid for milk and direct income support from the EU. The Single Farm Payment for dairy producers includes a dairy premium of 3.6c per litre. Market forces have a major influence on the price paid to farmers for milk. World market prices determine the returns received by dairy processors and these in turn are reflected in the price paid to...

Written Answers — Farm Input Costs: Farm Input Costs (11 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: The most recent information regarding comparative data for prevailing farm input costs prices across the European Union is contained in an EU Commission report published last year entitled "Agriculture in the European Union – Statistical and economic information 2008". This provides details of farm input costs for a range of inputs in various Member States over the 3-year period from...

Written Answers — Cereal Sector: Cereal Sector (11 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: Details of prevailing producer prices for cereals across Member States are not readily available. The most recent information is contained in an EU Commission report published last year entitled 'Agriculture in the European Union – Statistical and economic information 2008'. This provides details of producer prices for certain cereals in some Member States over 4 years. The information...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (11 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together. Responsibility for enforcement of labelling legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) through its service contracts with my Department, the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency, the Health Services Executive, the Local Authorities and the National Consumer Agency. As far as my Department is concerned, labelling checks...

Written Answers — Food Producer Organisations: Food Producer Organisations (23 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: In the face of ever-greater concentration of demand, the grouping of supply through producer organisations (POs) is an economic necessity in order to strengthen the position of producers in the market. Accordingly, in its 2007 reform of the common organisation of the market for fruit and vegetables, the EU made further provision for financial assistance to producers grouping, on a voluntary...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (23 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Minister for Health and Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for the enforcement of this legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (F.S.A.I.). This is done through service contracts with other relevant agencies, including the Health Service Executive, the Local Authority Veterinary Service and my Department....

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (23 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: As the Deputy will be aware there is a moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service. My Department has alternative arrangements in place to ensure the prompt processing of claims.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (23 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: Due to industrial action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (23 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: The leasing arrangements and rental costs for this Department buildings is a matter for the Office of Public Works.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (23 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table and the numbers involved are expressed in full-time equivalents: Area FTE Payroll 61 Financial Management 18.5 Human Resources 95* Means Assessment - Procurement 6 ICT 189 *Including Training & Development Unit The corresponding information requested by the Deputy in respect of the agencies under my remit is a...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (23 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: This person named had 27 animals born during 2008 for consideration under the Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payment issued for 12 of these animals on 12 March 2009 and for 1 animal on 12 June 2009. The applicant was advised by letter, dated 30 June 2009, that the remaining animals were not eligible for payment as 13 had not been registered within the statutory 27 days of birth and the mother of the...

Written Answers — Noxious Weeds Legislation: Noxious Weeds Legislation (23 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Noxious Weeds Act, 1936, is being examined in the context of an on-going review of legislation in this area. The penalty for non-compliance with this legislation, £20 on conviction, remains unchanged since 1936. Additionally, payments relating to certain schemes administered by this Department are contingent on compliance with the control of noxious weeds. No prosecutions were taken in...

Written Answers — Horse Breeding Industry: Horse Breeding Industry (23 Mar 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 680 and 695 together In an effort to support the equine industry I have approved three plants for slaughter of horses and I am aware that a fourth plant has been approved by the Local Authority Veterinary Service. This element of choice should improve competition and price paid to the producer. I do not propose to introduce a scheme to reduce breeding mare...