Results 6,161-6,180 of 18,461 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Irish Horseracing Industry: Irish Horseracing Industry (2 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department has on-going contact with the Irish National Stud Company Limited regarding its financial performance. In addition, in response to a specific request by me, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company is preparing a report for submission by the Board to me on the manner in which the Board proposes to address the financial position of the Company.

Written Answers — Irish Horseracing Industry: Irish Horseracing Industry (2 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: In accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, I received annual assurances from the Chairman of the Irish National Stud Company Limited confirming the Company complies with the Code. I have also received separate assurances from the Chairman in response to specific enquiries arising from certain allegations made in relation to the Irish National Stud Company...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (3 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: I introduced this Scheme to provide some compensation to growers for damage to potatoes and root vegetables caused by frost in January of this year. The Scheme is aimed at providing a limited and targeted financial contribution to those growers who suffered significant losses of produce due to frost damage. The application for financial assistance from the person named was rejected, as the...

Written Answers — Beef Sector: Beef Sector (10 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The new QPS payment system for cattle was introduced in December 2009 following negotiations between representatives of Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA). The price paid for cattle is a matter for the meat plant and the farmer and my Department has no role to play in this commercial transaction.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named submitted applications for the 2005 and 2009 National Reserve under Category A. This category catered for farmers who inherited, leased or otherwise received land free of charge, or for a nominal amount, from a farmer who had retired or died before 16 May, 2005, a holding that was leased out to a third party during the reference period 2000 – 2002. Under the 2005 National...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (10 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: I recently announced the results of the Scheme for New Entrants to Dairying. In this Scheme applications were invited under 2 categories; Category A was for brand new entrants - those who had not previously held quota and, Category B – was for existing quota holders – those who had previously purchased quota as a New Entrant under a Milk Quota Trading Scheme. A total of 58 applications...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named applied for 21 animals in 2009 under the Suckler Welfare Scheme. Under the Terms and Conditions of the scheme, for herds of more than 10 cows, the animals must be weaned in at least two separate groups with at least five days between the weaning of each group. Payment will not issue until all of the animals have been weaned to ensure compliance with this condition. Also...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (10 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: It is not clear from the question what is prohibiting the retailer from describing the product as Irish. Lamb which has been produced in the Island of Ireland can be called Irish. If the lamb has been slaughtered in Northern Ireland, then it would have to have the number of the approved premises on the label which would include "UK" in the oval mark. However the label could indicate that the...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (10 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: A major rationalisation plan for my Department was approved by Government last year. This plan involves a comprehensive restructuring of the Department's local office network and provides a fully integrated service to our farming clients and the wider agri-food and rural environmental sectors at regional level. The plan involves reducing, from 57 to 16, the number of offices from which the...

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: I am pleased to have an opportunity to contribute to this debate and to affirm my full confidence in the Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen. I have worked closely with him in my various capacities as a Deputy, as a Minister of State and, more recently, as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. He has been a supportive colleague at all times, particularly since he became Taoiseach. He has shown...

Written Answers — Fallen Animal Collection Scheme: Fallen Animal Collection Scheme (15 Jun 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. While my Department's contribution to the Fallen Animals Scheme in general ceased with effect from 14th April 2009, I have continued to provide financial...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named had 11 animals for consideration under the Suckler Welfare Scheme for 2009. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, meal must be provided to the calves for at least four weeks before they are weaned from their mothers. As this requirement was not complied with, the applicant is not eligible for payment. The applicant has been informed of this decision.

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The appointment of a person to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Irish National Stud (INS) Company Limited is a matter for the Board of the INS. The Board of the Irish National Stud Company Limited appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the Company following an open competition process. My Department has no role in the recruitment process. My approval, given with the consent...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: My attention has not been drawn to this matter.

Written Answers — Bullying in the Workplace: Bullying in the Workplace (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: My attention was drawn to certain allegations concerning human resource issues at the Irish National Stud Company Limited. However, the Board in accordance with its remit dealt with these matters, which I understand are now the subject of legal proceedings.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named has submitted an application to join the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS). Over 9,000 farmers have applied to join the scheme and all applications submitted must now be administratively checked to ensure that they comply with the scheme conditions. When this process is complete, successful applicants will be notified in writing of the commencement date of their...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named had 22 animals for consideration under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, animals from herds of more than 10 cows must be weaned in at least two separate groups with at least five days between the weaning of each group. According to information provided by the person named, all of the animals were weaned on the same day. Therefore,...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: I can confirm that there are no delays in payments under the under the Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payments are issuing on a continuous basis to those participants who have fully complied with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. Officials from my Department are in constant contact with farmers where queries have been identified in order to complete the processing of each case.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named applied for 19 animals in 2009 under the Suckler Welfare Scheme. Under the Terms and Conditions of the scheme, for herds of more than 10 cows, the animals must be weaned in at least two separate groups with at least five days between the weaning of each group. Payment cannot issue until all of the animals have been weaned to ensure compliance with this condition.

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: It is a condition of the Suckler Welfare Scheme that for herds with more than 10 Suckler Cows that the animals must be weaned in at least two separate groups with each group being removed at a minimum interval of five days. This is one of the primary conditions of the Scheme. Payment cannot issue, therefore, for these herds until all of the animals have been weaned and have been found to...