Results 5,801-5,820 of 18,461 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The issue of micro generation of electricity is a matter in the first instance for my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The Deputy may be aware that in February 2009 Minister Ryan announced measures to encourage the on-site generation of electricity in homes and farms across Ireland. The Micro Generation Programme is being operated by ESB Customer...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Common Agricultural Policy will provide the main policy framework for development of the primary agriculture and agri-food industries in Ireland and the EU to 2020 and beyond and it is of the utmost importance that it continues to underpin the development of a competitive and vibrant agricultural sector. My overarching aim is for a strong and properly resourced CAP guided by the twin...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: Details of the REP 4 plans that have been rejected are listed in the table below. My officials are in contact with applicants whose plans have been rejected to inform them of their right to appeal the decision. Alternatively, unless the application has been found to be fundamentally ineligible, the applicant may submit a new REPS 4 plan and application form on or before 17 May 2010. If an...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: I have not taken such a decision. Apart from exports to the UK (Ireland and the UK are in a common rabies free-movement zone), all dogs exported from Ireland, both commercial and non-commercial, must be accompanied by a pet passport. This passport is issued by my Department on foot of identification micro-chipping by the Private Veterinary Practitioner (PVP). The PVP subsequently completes...

Written Answers — Ministerial Functions: Ministerial Functions (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: As Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, I have full ministerial responsibility for all of the Department's activities, including responsibility for Food. I am assisted by two Ministers of State, both of whom have specific special responsibilities. Deputy Sean Connick has Minister of State responsibilities for Fisheries and Forestry and Deputy Ciaran Cuffe has Minister of State...

Written Answers — Departmental Committees: Departmental Committees (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 72 together. Work on the development of a strategy to further the growth of the agri-food, fisheries and forestry sectors to 2020 is well advanced. During 2009, my Department in collaboration with five State Bodies, Teagasc, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, BIM, Marine Institute, completed a comprehensive analysis of the sector. In February 2010, I...

Written Answers — Cattle Prices: Cattle Prices (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: Product prices are a function of market forces and beef prices to date in 2010 are down over 2% on the corresponding period in 2009. Factors governing beef returns at present include, reduced consumer demand, stronger sales of cheaper cuts, currency movements, supply availability and the level of live exports. While I have no function in the determination of prices, I am, nonetheless, mindful...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 76 together. I am delighted to confirm that Ireland has achieved official EU recognition of our Aujeszky's disease control and eradication status. Attaining "Annex II" status is a very significant milestone in meeting the objective of the Aujeszky's Disease Control and Eradication Programme: eradicating Aujeszky's disease from the national pig herd....

Written Answers — Natura 2000 Sites: Natura 2000 Sites (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: My proposal to increase the payment rate to €150 per hectare on Natura 2000 sites under the new Agri-environmental Options Scheme requires European Commission approval. A proposed amendment to the Scheme has therefore been submitted to the Commission and my officials are pressing for it to be dealt with as a matter of priority.

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: I have no plans to introduce a national vaccination programme for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD). In January 2009 I launched Animal Health Ireland (AHI), which operates, independently of my Department. One of the main aims of AHI is to identify and prioritise non regulated disease conditions such as BVD. AHI is a company limited by guarantee with its own Board of Directors and Chief...

Written Answers — Common Fisheries Policy: Common Fisheries Policy (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 74 together. The European Commission issued a Green Paper on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in April 2009 and sought responses to their proposals. Minister Killeen, who had responsibility for the Fisheries portfolio at that time, appointed Dr. Noel Cawley to chair a nationwide public consultation process. The result of the extensive...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Seafood Development Measure contained in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 is divided between the EU Co-funded Operational Programme and the National Seafood Development Operational Programme. The EU Co-funded OP has already commenced and has funded the 2008 decommissioning scheme which has allowed 46 boats to be decommissioned with grant aid totalling €36.6 million already paid...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The All-Island Animal Health and Welfare Strategy provides a basis to enhance animal health and welfare standards and to have expanded opportunities for the export of livestock and livestock products with the ultimate objective to have policies and arrangements in place to facilitate the free movement of animals on the island. Ministers and officials will continue to meet regularly to...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The cancellation of flights following the volcanic eruptions in Iceland has had a low impact on the food industry. Up to 97% of food exports are moved by road and sea. Investment in the road infrastructure in Ireland means that containers can switch quite easily between ports. Some specialist seafood products are exported by air to Japan, but as this is not the peak season, impact on sales...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The market performance of the meat, dairy and cereal sectors is a function of supply and demand, and has been affected by the recent global economic downturn, exchange rates and other factors. Plans for the future development of these agricultural sectors will be set out in detail in the forthcoming 2020 Strategy, which I plan to publish later this year. Dairy Sector Market forces have a...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: Full payments have issued to 717 REPS 4 applicants in Cavan and 621 in Monaghan as of 23 April 2010, with further payments issuing this week. The processing of REPS 4 payments is governed by EU Regulations which require exhaustive administrative checks and on-the-spot inspections. In most parts of the country, the processing of payments is well advanced and the majority of participants have...

Written Answers — Sheep Production: Sheep Production (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: My commitment to the sheep sector is well recognised. Earlier this month I launched a three-year, €54 million grassland sheep scheme, the funding for which, comes from unused Single Payment funds. I am confident that this scheme will provide a much-needed boost to sheep farmers' incomes, which should encourage them to stay in the sector. As the scheme focuses on flocks with breeding...

Written Answers — Cereal Sector: Cereal Sector (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The decision referred to by the Deputy is a private commercial one for the company concerned and one in which I have no role. In relation to their decision to use imported malt, I understand that the company continues to source 90 per cent of their malt requirement for their brewing operation in Ireland and that their commitment in this regard is unchanged.

Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was suspended for new applications on 14 October 2008 against the background of the deterioration in the national finances. 941 applications for grant-aid were received by my Department under the Scheme prior to its suspension and these applications are being processed to payment stage as the claims are approved. An allocation of €4.5 million has...

Written Answers — Fallen Animal Charges: Fallen Animal Charges (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The disposal of fallen animals is subject to EU Regulations, notably Regulation (EC) No 1774 of 2002. These regulations require that animals which die on-farm must generally be disposed of through approved knackeries and rendering plants. My Department's contribution to the Fallen Animals Scheme ceased with effect from 14th April 2009. This was as a result of budgetary constraints and also...