Results 11,261-11,280 of 18,461 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Common Agricultural Policy (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: One must ensure the distribution of funds between member states and flexibility for distribution of funds within member states. The proposed model for direct payments is of crucial importance to Ireland, as is the need to retain investment measures for farm modernisation and for competitiveness.

Common Agricultural Policy (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: In response to Deputy Coonan's first question, I stated I would reserve my position in respect of the definition of active farmers but nothing else, regarding the CAP. Since the first Council meeting back in September 2008, Ireland has outlined strongly its position with regard to reform of the CAP. I stated this was in respect of active farmers and I am sure that were one to canvass the...

Common Agricultural Policy (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I have outlined clearly the Government's position with regard to CAP reform.

Common Agricultural Policy (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: Moreover, the Government is clear with regard to the success thus far of the CAP as it has been and major reform is not needed.

Common Agricultural Policy (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: First, I wish to ensure that it is a common policy but there should be flexibility within it. At any particular time, a sector or region could be under pressure. For example, in recent years the sheep sector has been identified by Members as being one that required assistance. Fortunately, the Department has been able to introduce a scheme this year to help that sector arrest the decline...

Common Agricultural Policy (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I also disagreed with the view on capping held by eastern European Ministers. The eastern European perspective is that a farm may have a large number of staff and that consideration should be taken of that point. However, on the greening issue, one could easily lose sight of the fact that cross-compliance is a highly important and worthwhile toolkit in maintaining the high environmental...

Common Agricultural Policy (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Government is not only outlining clearly its view on the Common Agricultural Policy. Deputy Coonan would have heard me express my views at the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. He would have heard me discuss this matter with Commissioner Ciolos as well. I have outlined clearly the Government's position, which I believe is shared by Members in general, and its policy...

Common Agricultural Policy (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: ----- from the point of view of ensuring sustainable agriculture production and making us more competitive, is necessary in the future. The Government has reiterated this point repeatedly and will not deviate from it.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: A total of 9,236 applications were received by my Department under the agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, by the closing date of 17 May 2010. All these applications have been recorded and examined by my Department. To date, 5,706 applications have been found to be fully compliant with scheme requirements and the applicants have received notification from the Department approving their...

Agri-Environment Options Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The specific level of funding available to the Department under the different subheads in 2011 has not yet been finalised. No decision has been made on the re-opening of the agri-environment options scheme to new participants in 2011. That will be done during the normal process of finalising the Department's budgetary matters, including its Estimates.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: No. If there were no new applicants for the AEO scheme, we would still draw down our full funding from Europe. We do not need new applicants for the scheme to draw down our maximum funding from Europe. That is the position. We will know our exact current and capital budgetary allocations next week, when the budget is announced. Decisions on the various Votes - the amount of funding to be...

Agri-Environment Options Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: At an early date.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: Yes, at an early date following the budget.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I said that the definitive amounts to be provided for under each of the Department's subheads - the funds for each scheme - have not yet been finalised. That is normal. They will be finalised when the budgetary process is complete. The actual funding under each subhead will be decided on subsequent to the budgetary process.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: This time last year, we had no AEO scheme. The Minister for Finance allocated funding of €50 million per annum, over a five-year period, in last year's budget. The scheme runs for five years to enable 10,000 applicants to participate in it. We were told a year ago that the new scheme would not even receive 2,000 applications. As I said earlier, in response to questions asked by other...

Sugar Beet Production (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: As part of the reform of the EU sugar regime in 2006, a temporary restructuring scheme was introduced by the EU Commission with the aim of reducing EU sugar production in order to comply with WTO and other international obligations. The scheme provided an incentive for sugar processors to renounce sugar quota and dismantle the associated sugar processing plant and it provided compensation...

Sugar Beet Production (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: With regard to Deputy Creed's comments, I do not accept that the Government made mistakes with the sugar regime. I said earlier in the House-----

Sugar Beet Production (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Creed is very well versed in this subject. He knows well that Greencore was the quota holder. It decided to exit the industry, not the Government.

Sugar Beet Production (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The then Minister, Deputy Mary Coughlan, was extremely active in opposing the European Commission in regard to sugar reform. Thirteen other member states initially supported the Irish stance and the Tánaiste chaired that group and led it at that time. When the decision came to the Council-----

Sugar Beet Production (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: -----meeting about the sugar regime, Ireland did not have the support to block the Commission proposals. In that event, the then Minister had negotiated a compensation package to be available to the different stakeholders-----