Results 7,281-7,300 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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

Brendan Smith: As products, including food products, which are traded within the Community are not generally required to indicate origin on their packaging, statistical evidence of any particular trend as suggested by the Deputy is not available on an official basis. Food products trade freely within the Single Market and over 80% of Irish agricultural production is exported to EU and world destinations....

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

Brendan Smith: The agriculture and food production sector is Ireland's largest indigenous manufacturing industry and it has a vital part to play in our economic recovery, particularly in the context of our exports. The role of agriculture in Europe's economic recovery has also been recognised in the contribution it makes to all three priorities of the EU 2020 strategy of smart, green and inclusive growth....

Written Answers — Food Exports: Food Exports (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: It is my policy and that of the Government to ensure that Irish producers have access to as many global markets as possible. Irish dairy products are exported to other EU Member States and to over 100 countries worldwide. The amount of exports to any particular destination varies in accordance with changes in the supply/demand dynamics in particular regions of the world and in respect of...

Written Answers — National Herd: National Herd (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the following table. The figures provided relate to dates in December for each of the years in question except the 2010 bovine figure which refers to the live population on August 1st 2010. Bovines(millions) Swine(millions) Sheep(millions) 2007 6.162 1.575 3.270 2008 6.234 1.605 3.090 2009 6.120 1.602 3.075 2010 6.529 There are...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (1 Dec 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 — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: In July 2010, together with Minister Connick, I launched the Bord Iascaigh Mhara 2010-2012 Strategy - 'Delivering on the Potential of Irish Seafood', and the Government's Irish National Seafood Programme 2007-2013. These two documents encapsulate Government's plans for developing the seafood industry in the next few years. The BIM Strategy, drafted in consultation with the Irish seafood...

Written Answers — Common Fisheries Policy: Common Fisheries Policy (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The current review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) was initiated by the European Commission when it issued a Green Paper in April 2009 and sought responses to the proposals it contained. The CFP, which was first put in place in 1983, has been subject to reviews every 10 years. The most recent review was in 2002. Minister Killeen, who had responsibility for the Fisheries portfolio when...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: Since assuming office in May 2008, I have sought at all appropriate opportunities to raise the profile and secure market opportunities and share for Irish Food and Beverage products on export markets. This has been and will remain a key priority. Trade promotions are a key part of the relationship building process with current and potential customers of Irish food and drink in Ireland's...

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

Brendan Smith: My Department is involved in the payment of a wide range of grants and subventions including, for example, payments under the Single Payment Scheme to some 130,000 beneficiaries and area based compensation allowances to some 102,000 farmers. The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department and the resources required to compile the level of detail in the required...

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

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 16 April 2010. A number of parcels listed by the person named required re-digitisation in order to remove ineligible features (buildings, farmyard, roadway) and immediately this process is complete and providing no errors are identified, the application will be further...

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

Brendan Smith: The EU Regulations governing REPS 4 and other area-based schemes provide that payments issue in two instalments. The first instalment of 75% may be paid once all administrative checks on all applications, as well as cross-checks against areas declared on Single Payment Scheme applications, have been completed. This process is under way and my objective is to make all payments for 2010 as...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The amount paid by my Department in legal fees for 2008 was €164,801, for 2009 was €157,626 and to date in 2010 is €123,049.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 15 May 2010. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility and Full Cross Compliance Inspection. The inspection process is complete and the results are now being processed. Under EU regulations governing the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the...

Written Answers — Live Exports: Live Exports (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: There are no new regulations coming into place on 1 of January 2011 in relation to the export of cattle to Northern Ireland or England.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 17 May 2010. During validation of the application a 'missing map' error was identified in respect of a number of land parcels declared. This matter was resolved following correspondence between the person named and my Department. The 50% advance payment under the Single Payment...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (2 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 — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 22 April 2010. The land parcel declared by the applicant required re-digitisation. This process has now been completed and the person named was paid in full on 1st December.

Written Answers — Charitable Organisations: Charitable Organisations (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The details requested will be forwarded to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 17 May 2010. On processing the application an over-claim was identified on one of the parcels declared by the applicant and he was written to in this regard on 13 September 2010.This issue has now been resolved in favour of the person named and the payment due in respect of the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The EU Regulations governing REPS 4 and other area-based schemes provide that payments issue in two instalments. The first instalment of 75% may be paid once all administrative checks on all applications, as well as cross-checks against areas declared on Single Payment Scheme applications, have been completed. This process is underway and my objective is to make all payments for 2010 as...