Results 7,221-7,240 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The recently published Food Harvest 2020 strategy includes recommendations for the further development of renewable energy initiatives in the Agriculture Sector to build on the well established Bioenergy Scheme initiative in place since 2007. The pilot Bioenergy Scheme ran from 2007-2009 and has been succeeded by the Bioenergy Scheme 2010-2012 which was launched in February 2010. The purpose...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: At Monday's Fisheries Council in Brussels, I set down clearly Ireland's position in relation to the ongoing negotiations between the EU and Norway on a bilateral fisheries agreement for 2011. I have consistently advised the Commission and Member States of Ireland's concerns including at the October Fisheries Council meeting, held on 26 October 2010 in Luxembourg. I also wrote to...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: EU Commission approval for the introduction of five targeted modernisation schemes focused on supporting productive investment in the agricultural sector was received earlier this year. Due to the relatively short time-frames for completion of the investment works concerned, priority was given to the introduction of the Sow Welfare and Poultry Welfare Schemes which were launched on 16 June...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The EU rules governing the AEOS and Natura Schemes require that comprehensive administrative and validation checks must be carried out on all applications before letters of approval may issue. Natura and Commonage applications, which included a Sustainable Management Plan, required additional checks to be carried out in order to satisfy eligibility and audit requirements. These additional...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: In accordance with Ireland's Rural Development Programme, a sum of €90 million has been made available for the five targeted on-farm investment schemes listed below:- Sow Welfare Scheme; Poultry Welfare Scheme; Sheep Fencing and Mobile Handling Equipment Scheme; Dairy Equipment Scheme; Water Harvesting Scheme. The first three Schemes referred to above have already been introduced by my...

Written Answers — Poultry Industry: Poultry Industry (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 62 together. According to records held in my Department, some 79 poultry flocks are involved in the production of hatching eggs, with a further 33 involved in rearing these birds to laying age. The EU's State Aid rules constrain the financial assistance that can be provided by Member States to food business operators, including poultry producers....

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: It is my intention to ensure that capital investment schemes under the Rural Development Programme are targeted through the use of selection criteria, in order to ensure the best possible value for public money. This approach is consistent with recommendations both by the European Commission and the Comptroller and Auditor General. Selection criteria to be applied under the proposed dairy...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Nitrates Directive requires Ireland to define periods when the land application of fertiliser is prohibited. This issue was 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'. An Expert Advisory Group...

Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 67 together. As the Deputy is aware, I announced on 10 November 2010 that 50% of suckler and dry stock herds will be exempted from Brucellosis testing at their annual herd surveillance test for 2011. In addition, the changes which I announced in September 2009 will remain in place. These changes were as follows: the age threshold for the annual round...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: To date in 2010 a total of 3,145 penalties have been imposed on REPS participants under the REPS Scheme. These penalties were in respect of various breaches of the Scheme Terms and Conditions, including such things as non-compliance with commitments as outlined in the REPS Plan, over-declaration of areas claimed for payment and late submission of payment application. To date in 2010, 843...

Written Answers — National Recovery Plan: National Recovery Plan (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 55 and 60 together. The National Recovery Plan agreed by the Government sets out a blueprint for a return to sustainable growth in our economy setting out in detail the measures that will be taken to put the public finances of the country in order. In particular, it identifies the areas of economic activity which will provide growth and employment and...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I can confirm that the balancing payments under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme have begun issuing today, in line with the very ambitious payments targets I set for my Department in early October and especially given the huge task that has been ongoing throughout the year, designed to get our mapping system fully accurate and up to date. I am confident that, by year-end, payments to farmers...

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: There are a number of trade negotiations taking place at present. In relation to the World Trade Organisation talks, these are ongoing but there have been no significant breakthroughs since their near collapse in 2008. Prospects for a breakthrough or an agreement being reached in 2011 continue to remain uncertain. I am, however, determined to ensure that any agreement reached is balanced in...

Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The C&AG Report on the cost of farm inspections estimated that the total cost of the farm inspection service in 2009 was €15.8m including direct salary, overheads, imputed pension costs, and travel and subsistence. This covered the cost of all 152 staff in the Integrated Control Division (ICD) and works out at a cost of €1,800 per inspection. It should be noted that: The €15.8m figure...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The new derogation will run to the end of December 2013, coinciding with the timeline for Ireland's second National Action Programme.

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The following is a summary of the funding approved for projects under the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme in early 2010. Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme 2010 Location Project Fishery Harbour Centres Safety & Maintenance €1,870,000 Fishery Harbour Centres Disability Access €135,000 Castletownbere Fishery...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The agreement reached with the European Commission in September on Ireland's Second National Action programme under the Nitrates Directive means that there is no change in the requirement for the pig and poultry sectors until January 2013 and thereafter the changes are on a stepped basis up to 2017. During the consultation process that preceded the second National Action Programme, I had...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: On the basis of current trends it is anticipated that payment will be made in 2010 for planting in the region of 7,500 to 8,000 hectares.

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Sheep Fencing/Mobile Handling Equipment Scheme opened for applications on 1 November last. Under the terms of the Scheme, applications will be accepted from farmers up to 31 December 2013 and eligibility conditions and selection criteria will be applicable in order to determine those applications which will proceed to the approval stage. The Sow Welfare, Poultry Welfare and Bioenergy...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Government decision on decentralisation included the relocation of some 600 posts of my Department to Portlaoise. Since the decentralisation programme began there has been an increase in Portlaoise of some 300 posts across a wide number of Divisions bringing the total there to almost 500 posts. Work to progress this programme further in 2011 will take account of the evolving operating...