Results 1,021-1,040 of 18,449 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (29 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Wood energy is already playing a significant role in meeting Ireland's energy requirements. In 2006, solid biomass, primarily in the form of solid wood, accounted for 45% of renewable energy consumption in Ireland, mainly in the generation of heat in the domestic and wood processing sectors. Projections by COFORD and Sustainable Energy Ireland indicate that there will be a potential annual...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Applications received under the Farm Improvement Scheme prior to its suspension on 31 October 2007 are being processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department has no record of having received an application from the person named in respect of the 2007 EU Single Payment Scheme, nor any communication from him concerning the matter. An official of my Department yesterday contacted the person named directly and requested him to outline in writing the reasons why the application in question was not submitted. Immediately on receipt of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: I assume the Deputy is referring to inspections carried out under the Single Payment Scheme. The Integrated Controls Division of my Department will be conducting 6,217 field inspections in 2008 from an expected 126,000 SPS applicants, some of whom are also Disadvantaged Area, REPS and Suckler Welfare Scheme applicants. 109 field officers will undertake these inspections. In conducting these...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The soil samples requested by my Department in October 2007 have still not been received and, consequently, further processing of the payment application cannot take place.

Written Answers — Coastal Protection: Coastal Protection (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: It is the policy of my Department to strive for both economically viable and environmentally compatible fisheries which take account of other interests in any given area of activity. In this regard we employ the appropriate tools and take the appropriate measures to achieve this. With reference to the specific question on shore crabs in the Suir estuary, I have asked BIM to examine the issue...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned has lodged an appeal in this case with the Agriculture Appeals Office. He will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: Allocations of milk quota from the National Reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations from the Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal. The Tribunal examines and makes recommendations on applications for additional quota from individual producers. The named person submitted an appeal against the original recommendation of the Tribunal for the temporary allocation of 32,000 litres of quota,...

Written Answers — Departmental Projects: Departmental Projects (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department currently operates one pilot scheme, the Scheme of Investment Aid for Demonstration of On-farm Waste Processing Facilities. Applications for the scheme were accepted between June and December 2006. The purpose of the scheme is to facilitate the introduction/development of up to 10 demonstration projects relating to on-farm waste processing around the country. The Department...

Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The current regulations do not provide specific guidance on locating beehives in residential areas. However, most Irish beekeepers are members of the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations (FIBKA). FIBKA provides guidance on this matter in the Frequently Asked Questions part of their website, www.irishbeekeeping.ie.

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The amount of money allocated in 2008 to each on-farm investment scheme operated by my Department is as follows: Scheme Amount (€m) Aid Control Farm Pollution 0.001 Aid Dairy Hygiene 0.001 Alternative Enterprises Scheme 1.000 Control Farm Pollution Scheme 0.031 Dairy Hygiene Scheme 8.000 Farm Improvement Programme 0.001 Farm Improvement (Horticulture) 0.040 Farm Improvement...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The amount of expenditure under each of the on-farm investment schemes operated by my Department during the first four months of 2008 was as follows: Scheme Amount (€m) Aid Control Farm Pollution — Aid Dairy Hygiene — Alternative Enterprises Scheme 0.279 Control Farm Pollution Scheme — Dairy Hygiene Scheme 1.685 Farm Improvement Programme — Farm Improvement (Horticulture)...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (4 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The landing of monkfish is currently allowed in the following designated ports Greencastle, Killybegs, Ros an Mhíl, An Daingean, Castletownbere, Union Hall, Ringaskiddy in the Port of Cork, Dunmore East, Kilmore Quay, Rosslare Harbour and Howth. At the request of industry my department is currently preparing a Statutory Instrument that will add Kinsale and Schull to this list. The rationale...

Written Answers — Tree Felling Licences: Tree Felling Licences (5 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: In accordance with normal procedures for the processing of felling licence applications the Forest Service of my Department wrote to Planning Section of Meath County Council in February 2007 seeking their views on the proposed felling. No response was received from Meath County Council on the matter.

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (5 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together. Expenditure on advertising by State bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the bodies themselves.

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (5 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: Earlier this year my Department carried out a promotional campaign on a pilot basis in Co. Wexford costing €46,301 to highlight the benefits to farmers of using my Department's on-line services. Details as follows: Year Promotion of Department's On-Line Services Press Radio Outdoor Production 2008 to date €11,698 €3,166 €1,122 €30,315* *The production costs included the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The information requested is set out in the following table. Year Total Amount in 2007 Top Three Beneficiaries Amount top 3 â'¬ â'¬ 2007 3,905.56 School of Biology & Environmental Science U.C.D. 283.96 Club Travel Corporate 275.87 An Post 149.87 2006 4,032.24 Club Travel Corporate 356.77 Irish Equine Centre 280.84 JVA Analytical Ltd 261.46 2005 11,907.81 An Post...

Written Answers — Coastal Protection: Coastal Protection (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The beach at The Murrough, Co. Wicklow is owned by Wicklow County Council and it should be noted that responsibility for its repair and upkeep rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. My Department does, however, provide funding to various Local Authorities each year under the Coastal Protection Programme subject to Exchequer allocation and overall national priorities. Funding...

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: Donadea Forest Park is owned and managed by Coillte Teoranta, which was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988. Day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of parks, are the responsibility of the company. I understand that the primary management objective for the Park is amenity, followed by biodiversity protection and enhancement. It is one of...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jun 2008)

Brendan Smith: The 2008 forestry premium for this contract has been paid.