Results 361-380 of 4,571 for speaker:Trevor Sargent

Seanad: Agriculture Sector: Statements (18 Nov 2008)

Trevor Sargent: Ar dtús báire, tá mé ag fanacht le haghaidh nótaí os rud é nach raibh mé anseo i rith na díospóireachta ar fad. Tá brón orm faoi sin. Leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh mar atá mé. Gabhaim mo bhuíochas, agus buíochas an Aire, an Teachta Smith, a thosaigh an díospóireacht, leis na Seanadóirí a labhair i rith na díospóireachta. I thank the House for granting time to discuss the...

Seanad: Agriculture Sector: Statements (18 Nov 2008)

Trevor Sargent: I note Senator Bradford raised that issue earlier. As I mentioned last week, the introduction of the young farmers' installation scheme in June 2007 under the Rural Development Programme provided a grant level of €15,000, an increase of 58% compared to the preceding scheme, to farmers between the ages of 18 and 35. When all of the requirements under the scheme were satisfied, 941...

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Trevor Sargent: I thought I was due to speak next.

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Trevor Sargent: Ba bhreá liom, más féidir liom.

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Trevor Sargent: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh.

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Trevor Sargent: Tá áthas orm sin a chloisint. Sin dea-scéala. Before speaking on the motion, my colleague, an tAire Talmhaíochta, Iascaigh agus Bia, an Teachta Brendan Smith, has asked me to extend his personal apologises for not being in a position to participate in this debate. As Members will know, the Minister, Deputy Smith, is in the United States, fulfilling a long-standing commitment with...

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Trevor Sargent: I hear what the Senators are saying, but I am saying something else and I hope they will listen to me. As the Minister, Deputy Smith, made clear on a number of occasions, the strategy we employed was to protect those measures which will ensure the future development of a productive and competitive agriculture, fisheries and food sector. Therefore, in making his decisions for 2009, the...

Seanad: Irish Agriculture: Motion (12 Nov 2008)

Trevor Sargent: Thanks.

Industrial Disputes. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: Agricultural officers in my Department who are members of the IMPACT union commenced industrial action on 6 October. IMPACT alleges that the Department has acted in breach of Towards 2016 by not informing the union in advance of changes in work practices. IMPACT has instructed its members to work to rule; not to undertake overtime; not to undertake tasks or functions associated with posts...

Industrial Disputes. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: It is a complex issue and I am not quite sure it is at the heart of the dispute. There may be other consequences arising from the dispute. In fact, we are dealing with more than 100 schemes here. Obviously, REPS and the farm waste management scheme are two of the highest profile schemes and we do not want to see any delays in these. I am hopeful that resolution of the dispute will ensure...

Industrial Disputes. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: I reiterate that this matter is being dealt with. The Deputy is right. It is an urgent matter but in working on this draft today the reply has changed in the time since I first saw it. It referred to arranging a meeting as a matter of urgency and now, as I have been able to tell the Deputy, the meeting will take place tomorrow. I understand it will be at 2 p.m. but I ask the Deputy not to...

Industrial Disputes. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: I will find out if there is missing information.

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: The sheep sector is an important part of the overall agrifood sector and its future depends on its ability to meet the needs of the market. The sheep industry strategy development group and the subsequent implementation group set the blueprint for the sector's future development. Most of the recommendations fall to be implemented by the industry. However, the Department and the State...

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: There will be an increase of 8% in disadvantaged areas scheme payments.

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: That amount might not be as much as people might like. However, we are doing our best within budgetary restraints that exist. We are not doing what the Deputy is attempting to do, namely, create a negative impression.

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: Deputy Doyle inquired as to why sheep numbers have decreased and he probably knows the answer to that question. As stated earlier, there is an issue to be addressed as regards the demand for sheepmeat. We must ensure that this demand increases.

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: The situation is not helped by the fact that since the advent of single farm payments, farmers are no longer required to retain sheep for premia purposes. There was, therefore, a support based on numbers rather than on the areas in which the people affected were living. Prices for the year are up by approximately 5% on last year. There has been a drop in recent weeks. This is a...

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: ——the provision of the kind of supports to which the Deputy refers. We must co-operate in respect of this matter.

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: I travelled to Paris in order to assist Bord Bia in its promotions because the French market is extremely important to Ireland. The reality is that sheepmeat is primarily being bought by older customers. We must try to bring about a change in that regard. This is the challenge we face. If Deputy Doyle has any useful suggestions to make, I would be more than happy to listen to them.

Sheep Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Trevor Sargent: I am aware of the reply to which the Deputy refers. There is no restriction with regard to sheep movements between the North and the South.