Results 6,361-6,380 of 18,482 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: Over the past five years, six members of staff at Assistant Secretary level retired from my Department. The total amount paid in lump sums to these staff was €1,317, 352.19, this represents an average of 149.54% of final salary.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: Significant work has been done on the evaluation of the impact of the Strategy for Improved Pest Control on Irish Salmon Farms by a group set up specifically for this. This work is being compiled into a draft Report which, following final examination by the Group, will be completed. When the Report is completed it will be made available as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department in conjunction with the Marine Institute has been implementing a new strategy in the treatment of sea lice for the last three years which is having a beneficial effect. There has been a steady incremental decrease in sea lice infestation levels in Connemara over this period. The site in question is now being managed as part of a suite of sites to ensure separation of...

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: Phosphorous deficiency was among the issues raised in submissions received during the public consultation process that formed part of the review of The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, commonly known as the 'Nitrates Regulations'. These regulations constitute the legal basis for Ireland's National Action Programme under the Nitrates...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: In response to the Deputy's question, I have detailed the number of persons (in terms of full-time equivalents) employed in my Constituency Office, that of my predecessor, Minister of State Sean Connick and the previous Ministers of State who have held office in this Department since 14th June 2007. The tables below detail the amount of salaries and expenses (including overtime, allowances...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Government is committed to ensuring the continuation of the afforestation programme at a rate that maximises the use of available financial resources. My Department, in the context of the Estimates process for 2011, is reviewing its commitments to ensure that priority needs, including forestry, are met. I am fully aware of the need to maximise funding for forestry in what are difficult...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: Phosphorous levels in the soil and protein levels in malting barley were among the issues raised in submissions received during the public consultation process that formed part of the review of The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, commonly known as the 'Nitrates Regulations'. These regulations constitute the legal basis for Ireland's...

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Marine Survey Office operates under the aegis of the Minister for Transport. Matters concerning that Office and maritime safety policy are the responsibility of that Department. I have no function in relation to the matter.

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: In relation to the 2010 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, I have exercised the option of making an advance payment of 75 per cent of DAS beginning on 22 September, with the balancing 25 per cent payment commencing 20 October. I have taken this option because of the EU requirement to entirely process applications before payment can be made in full. However, this approach will ensure the maximum...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The table below sets out information requested by the Deputy in respect of the CEOs of the State Bodies under my Department's aegis. State Body Appointment Date Length of Current Contract Contract Expiry Date Teagasc, CEO 1 October 2007 7 years 30 September 2014 Bord Bia, CEO 13 July 2009 5 years 12 July 2014 National Milk Agency, CEO 8 July 2005 CEO shall continue until he reaches the...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: I share the Deputies concern about the impact of recent wildfires on the national forest estate and on wildlife habitats. My Department has established an inter-agency group (Land and Forest Fires Working Group) to examine the issue and make recommendations to strengthen preventative measures and minimise the occurrence and impact of forest fires.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The scheme referred to is being considered in the context of the National Forestry Policy Review which is due to complete its work by the end of the year.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: There have been no derogations from replanting obligations given in the last five years. However, extensions to the period allowed for replanting have been granted to Coillte Teo in respect of: 1. The Western Peatlands Life Project. These extensions were allowed to enable Coillte, for environmental reasons, to devise a suitable, environmentally friendly replanting plan. 2. The control of pine...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) is the General Lighthouse Authority for all of Ireland, its adjacent seas and islands. CIL carry out the obligations of the Irish Government in relation to the provision of Aids to Navigation around the coast. The Colt Rock insignia was removed by CIL during their upgrading works on the Colt Rock beacon at Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre. Any...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named applied for 33 animals under the Suckler Welfare Scheme for 2009. Payment issued for 14 of the animals on 26 April 2010. Errors have been identified on the information submitted by the applicant in relation to some of the remaining nineteen animals and an official from my Department will contact the person named regarding these errors with a view to rectifying them.

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: A review of the functions and funding structure of the Aquaculture Initiative Team is currently taking place within the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. These deliberations are continuing and as yet no decision has been made as to the future of the Initiative.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Government is committed to ensuring the continuation of the afforestation programme at a rate that maximises the use of available financial resources. My Department, in the context of the Estimates process for 2011, is reviewing its commitments to ensure that priority needs, including forestry, are met. I am fully aware of the need to maximise funding for forestry in what are difficult...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The gross amounts of payments made across the relevant areas are set out below. This covers a period when my Department did not consider it appropriate to apply Relevant Contracts Tax procedures to certain payments associated with animal disease eradication schemes. Following on from the determination made by the Revenue Commissioners on this matter, Relevant Contracts Tax was applied to...

Written Answers — Animal Breeding Regulations: Animal Breeding Regulations (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: Heads of a Bill to provide the above amendments are currently being drafted and I intend to bring them to Government shortly.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named applied for 17 animals under the 2008 Suckler Welfare Scheme for 2008. 18 calves were born into the herd in this year but included one set of twins. Payment is made on the eligible suckler cow and was made, in full, on 30 April 2009 in respect of the 17 suckler cows. The person named applied on 17 animals under this Scheme for 2009. Payment in full issued on 30 July 2010 in...