Results 1,661-1,680 of 18,449 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Connaughton should allow me to continue. By the end of last week, the Department had paid out €212.7 million in grant aid this year alone. That is in great contrast to the statement issued by Fine Gael in August that no payments would be made between the end of August and December.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: No. Funding was issued at that time under the original Estimate. Again, we have misinformation from the Opposition.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: They were not frozen. All farmers who complete approved work in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme can be assured they will receive grant aid. Total expenditure in 2008 on this scheme will be approximately €377 million. That follows on expenditure of almost €114 million in 2007 and a provision of €125 million for the scheme next year. That is further evidence of...

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The special situation of Ireland, including circumstances such as bad weather, referred to earlier, were fully taken into account and were obviously a significant factor in achieving the exceptional extension. I and my predecessor have consistently stressed to farmers the need to meet the deadline. In recent weeks the Department wrote to every applicant outlining the possibility of...

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: That is not the way the officials work.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I am not a civil servant. That remark should be withdrawn. I defend——

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Sheahan made the allegation. The last time there was a Fine Gael——

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Sheahan made an allegation against civil servants and he should withdraw it. The last time there was a Fine Gael Minister for Agriculture——

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: They are not smear tactics, I am stating the truth. Deputy Creed is the man using smear tactics with the arguments and rubbish he comes out with.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: He did.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Sheahan said the representations were dealt with in the Department in a manner——

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: That is not the case. He did not.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Yes.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The last time there was a Fine Gael Minister for Agriculture——

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: ——he abolished the then farm modernisation scheme.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Not only that, but the applications of 12,000 existing applicants were abolished and Fine Gael Deputies trooped into the lobbies to support it. I recommend the amendment to the House.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: My understanding is that, from the point of view of planning, it is possible to carry out part of the project.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Fine Gael abolished the scheme.

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I can confirm that all persons appointed to positions under the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 were appointed legally and in accordance with the regulations set out in the Act.

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department has concerns regarding the works undertaken by Mayo County Council at Achill Sound and specifically that all the terms of the Foreshore consent issued may not have been complied with. My Department's Engineering Division has been in close contact with the Council regarding this matter and has specified certain measures regarding the works which remain to be completed. The works...