Results 2,041-2,060 of 2,304 for speaker:John Browne

Grant Payments. (8 Dec 2005)

John Browne: To assist farmers to meet the additional requirements of the nitrates action programme, I have announced details of a proposed revised farm waste management scheme for which EU state aid approval has been sought. I hope that early approval of the scheme will be forthcoming so that the revised scheme can be introduced next January. Negotiations are taking place with the European Commission on...

Grant Payments. (8 Dec 2005)

John Browne: Yes, but they will have to withdraw their original application if they have not begun work. In answer to Deputy Crawford, the decision rests with the Commission. Following the discussions for the protocol on direct payment to farmers, the Department's standard costings will be revised at the beginning of each year so any increase in the cost of steel and other inputs will be taken into...

Grant Payments. (8 Dec 2005)

John Browne: Under the capital programme there will be adequate funding for 2006. If extra money is required we will make that available.

EU Directives. (6 Dec 2005)

John Browne: I thank Deputy Naughten for raising this issue. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, would like to thank him and apologise for his absence. The nitrates directive was adopted on 12 December 1991. It has the objective of protecting waters against pollution from agricultural sources, with the primary emphasis on the management of livestock manure and...

Sugar Industry Reform. (6 Dec 2005)

John Browne: I thank Deputies Sherlock and Hayes for raising this important issue. The recent agreement by the Council of Agriculture Ministers on reform of the EU sugar regime was the culmination of a protracted and difficult negotiating process. I am satisfied that the outcome from Ireland's perspective was the best possible deal in the circumstances. The reasons reform of the sugar regime could no...

Sugar Industry Reform. (6 Dec 2005)

John Browne: I will come to that point presently.

Sugar Industry Reform. (6 Dec 2005)

John Browne: In the event that sugar production ceases in Ireland, a once-off payment of almost €44 million would be available for growers. In addition, the restructuring fund of up to €145 million would become available to provide compensation for the economic, social and environmental costs arising from factory closure. The agreement provides that at least 10% of the fund shall be reserved for sugar...

Alternative Energy Projects. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has overall responsibility for energy policy and is primarily responsible for the promotion and development of renewable energy, including biofuels. Nonetheless, the development of the biofuels industry is a cross-sectoral issue impinging on several policy areas, for example, those related to environment and fiscal policy as well...

Alternative Energy Projects. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: I read with interest Deputy Naughten's speech at the Ard-Fheis on this issue. I notice that most if not all the issues he raised in his document were ones we have been encouraging for the past year. In reply to the Deputy, the scheme for relief on excise duty, which is operated by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, is very successful and some of the projects are...

Alternative Energy Projects. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: On the waste issue, my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, made an announcement today and it will be in the Deputy's pigeonhole soon.

Alternative Energy Projects. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: The wind turbine issue is a matter for the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey. Having been in that Department for the best part of two years, I am very much aware of the importance of such projects.

Alternative Energy Projects. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: It is very much part and parcel of farm incomes. Indeed, in my county and many counties farmers have received planning permission in that regard and many of the wind turbines have been erected. There are difficulties with connection to the grid and the cost factor, and the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, is working on that. On the three...

Alternative Energy Projects. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: I have had direct discussions with farming organisations and farmers. Willow growing is not viable at present. We, therefore, decided to run with a pilot scheme of 500 hectares which is grant-aided substantially and we will see how that works. If that is successful——

Alternative Energy Projects. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: ——obviously the pilot scheme will become——

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: REPS 3 was launched in June 2004 and by July 2005 we had exceeded the previous record level of participants in the scheme. There are more than 48,000 farmers in REPS and the numbers are rising steadily. We hope there will be approximately 50,000 farmers in the scheme by the end of the year and I expect further significant growth in 2006. Last year we spent approximately €208 million on REPS...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: As of now, REPS 3 remains open. Farmers can still join that scheme and be assured of a full five-year contract under the existing rules and at the existing payment rates. While REPS 3 will certainly close in December 2006, it might close sooner or the rules might change. REPS 1 was due to end in December 1999 but six months prior to that date, the Commission decided that anybody joining it...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: I am informed that the level of penalties in REPS is low, under 3%. From my representations to the REPS section, I find that the officials are usually helpful and supportive and usually iron out any difficulties. If the Deputy has specific instances in mind, perhaps he will pass them on to us and we will see what we can do to help him.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: To date each country has put in its own plan. Our plan in respect of REPS 3 has been complimented as one of the best submitted and I am sure we will try to achieve the same standard in the case of REPS 4. I will investigate the possibility of having discussions with representatives from Northern Ireland — I am easy on that.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: I only have experience from my county——

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Nov 2005)

John Browne: Usually, if one applies to the REPS section in Johnstown Castle beforehand——