Results 481-500 of 4,571 for speaker:Trevor Sargent

Food Industry. (6 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: I would love to put my hand in my pocket and give money directly but state aid rules must be taken into account and we must be cognisant of this reality. That said, I am conscious of the need to co-operate with, for example, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which has overall responsibility for local government. I am promoting the remit of local government in...

Food Industry. (6 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: In January, I will organise a forum with city and county managers where we can harmonise and bring some consistency to the way in which farmers' markets are organised throughout the country. That is all part of the help which is both practical and legal for me to give. I will look at other areas, for example, indirect payments such as the organic farming grants, which, again, are of major...

EU Legislation. (6 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: In the context of the thematic strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides, the Commission has proposed legislation on the marketing and use of plant protection products. These proposals include a number of initiatives aimed at reducing the risks to the environment and human health associated with use of plant protection products. This proposed legislation is subject to the co-decision...

EU Legislation. (6 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: Where is that coming from? It is GM propaganda.

EU Legislation. (6 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: I am aware of those concerns because I speak to farmers, as does Deputy Coveney. Sometimes it is not the fault of farmers that they are given incorrect information. The GM lobby is strong in Brussels and I understand that Deputy Coveney hears them regularly communicating the message that GM crops are a way of not using chemicals. The opposite is the case, as held by objective studies. I...

EU Legislation. (6 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: Absolutely, but it is more complex than referring to levels of use. The directive does not refer to levels of use but of reduced risk. This is far more important to bear in mind and will not be implemented without consultation with farmers. I assure the Deputy of that.

EU Legislation. (6 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: Time does not allow me to go into the full range because it is quite extensive.

EU Legislation. (6 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: I look forward to an opportunity to discuss it without the time constraints of Dáil Éireann.

EU Legislation. (6 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: We can provide the list.

Food Industry. (6 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: Within the horticulture sector, there has already been significant capital investment in new glass technology and more efficient growing tunnels. Grant aid has been provided by my Department for investments to maximise energy-efficient production. Investment in more efficient technologies will continue to be a priority as energy costs continue to exert pressure on margins. Under the new...

Food Industry. (6 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: I would like to give the Deputy a wide-ranging answer as if I were the Green Party leader and allowed talk about every Department. However, I am Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and must therefore confine my remarks to matters for which that Department is responsible. Notwithstanding this, I take on board the Deputy's suggestion to consider how Teagasc...

Seanad: Tax Incentive Schemes (1 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: Tuigim go maith.

Seanad: Tax Incentive Schemes (1 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Seanadóir as an cheist thábhachtach seo a ardú. Tá brón orm nach bhfuil an tAire Airgeadais i láthair, ach gan amhras beidh áthas air go bhfuil an Seanadóir ag plé le cursaí Uíbh Fháille, chomh maith le contaethe eile. The mid-Shannon corridor tourism infrastructure investment scheme is a tax incentive scheme aimed at encouraging the...

Seanad: Cosmetic Surgery (1 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: Gabhaim buíochas leis an tSeanadóir Fitzgerald as an cheist seo a ardú. Is oth liom a rá nach bhfuil an tAire Sláinte agus Leanaí ar fáil. I shall be taking this Adjournment on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Mary Harney, Minister for Health and Children. The case referred to by the Senator is tragic and I extend my condolences to the family concerned. It would be inappropriate for...

Seanad: Hospital Services (1 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: Ní féidir leis an Aire Sláinte agus Leanaí bheith i láthair agus tá brón uirthi. Tá áthas orm go bhfuil an t-ábhar seo ardaithe ag an Seanadóir Buttimer. I will take this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. The Minister is aware that the number of children diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes attending Cork...

Seanad: Hospital Services (1 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: I appreciate what Senator Buttimer is saying. When I agreed to stand in for the Minister, I asked that the blacks of this debate would be examined and that action would be taken on foot of what the Senator would say. He may want to liaise directly with the office of the Minister.

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: I thank the Senator.

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh, as ucht seans a thabhairt dom freagra a thabhairt ar cheisteanna a d'ardaigh Seanadóirí le linn na díospóireachta. I thank the House for its constructive engagement with the debate on the pre-budget outlook. The Tánaiste and Minister for Finance regrets he could not stay for the entire debate and he has asked me to make a closing statement on behalf...

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Nov 2007)

Trevor Sargent: I look forward to catching that train with the Deputy. As the Tánaiste mentioned, this publication represents an important step in the ongoing budgetary reform process which aims to deliver a more constructive and relevant examination of how the nation's finances are run. The inclusion of the pre-budget Estimates in the outlook in particular represents a major innovation in budgetary...

Departmental Investigations. (25 Oct 2007)

Trevor Sargent: Ba mhaith liom, ar dtús báire, mo bhuíochas a ghabháil do mo comhghleacaí agus mo chara, Deputy White, as an gceist thábhactach seo a ardú, mar thug mé cuairt ar an bhfeirm mé féin tamall ó shin. I therefore appreciate the difficulties being experienced by the farmer and his family. My Department and other relevant agencies have already invested considerable resources in terms of...