Results 11,461-11,480 of 18,326 for speaker:Brendan Smith
- Tax Code (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: It is long-standing Government policy to encourage young people to become farmers and substantial tax exemptions apply where young farmers acquire land by way of gift, inheritance or purchase, for the purpose of farming. Some of these are linked to training requirements to encourage expansion and development of a working farm. The tax reliefs include measures across various types of...
- Tax Code (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: I am aware of the importance of stock relief. When I meet farmers, particularly young farmers or those intending to hand a farm on to a younger family member, the importance of the scheme is often mentioned. This relief has been extended several times in the past and it is a matter for the Minister for Finance and the discussions that are ongoing on the budget. I met the IFA and other farm...
- Tax Code (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: The points are well made by the Deputy, particularly on the importance of the Food Harvest 2020 report, which was drawn up by the stakeholders and endorsed by Government. The high level implementation group that I chair includes an Assistant Secretary General from the Department of Finance and the Department of Finance was also involved in the drafting of the report. My own colleagues in...
- Tax Code (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: I do not know what commentary Deputy Coonan is referring to but the Government is well aware of the importance of the family farm to this country, and will continue to be mindful of that. That is how we will continue to support the sector.
- Food Harvest 2020 (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: Food Harvest 2020, the blueprint for the development of the agrifood and fisheries sector for the next decade, was presented to Government in July this year. In my view, achieving its ambitious targets will require a concerted, co-ordinated and flexible contribution from all the key players: primary producers, industry. Departments and State agencies. I have established and am chairing the...
- Food Harvest 2020 (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: I thank the Deputy for his apt question. I believe this sector can contribute enormously to an economic recovery based on export-led growth. The increase in food exports this year was heartening. At all the agrifood fora I recently attended, I noted how positive the various agencies and companies were to the programme. At the first meeting of the high-level implementation group, the chief...
- Food Harvest 2020 (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: There may be some lack of detail in the information made available to the public regarding the implementation of the Food Harvest 2020 report. On the day it was launched, I stated I would chair the high-level implementation group. I also said there would not be a rigid system of having one implementation group as different issues will arise in different sectors and there may be different...
- Food Harvest 2020 (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: -----to progress particular ideas. The implementation process will not be over-rigid.
- Food Harvest 2020 (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: We use our embassies for maintaining and opening up dialogue with existing and potential agrifood markets. When we succeeded in re-opening the Chinese market for Irish pork products, I complimented the staff in our Beijing embassy. We also use the support available to us from Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and other statutory agencies. There are different views on the costs of a 50% increase...
- Food Harvest 2020 (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: There has to be greater collaboration between all parties in the industry. I recently met with all the dairy processors regarding the issues and opportunities facing the industry.
- Food Harvest 2020 (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: They have increased both in volume and value. At all times, we are working to get access to new markets and expanding access in existing markets. Bord Bia, the Department and the veterinary service do an exceptionally good job in this regard.
- Food Harvest 2020 (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: In the past 12 months a considerable number of new markets have been opened.
- Food Harvest 2020 (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: There would be a significant growth in jobs with the successful implementation of this policy, along with the post-2013 CAP reforms. With regard to Deputy Sherlock's point, the mechanisms I have put in place to implement this strategy are flexible. They are meant to address the issues that arise. When we deal with a particular issue and hopefully resolve it, we can proceed to deal with the...
- Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: The renewed programme for Government contains a commitment to "implement a code of practice for doing business in the grocery goods sector to develop a fair trading relationship between retailers and their suppliers" and "to review progress of the code and, if necessary, to put in place a mandatory code". The Government will give effect to this commitment by including a provision in the...
- Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: With regard to the last part of Deputy Doyle's question, I welcome the fact that this issue has been highlighted in the all-party Oireachtas committee's paper on the Common Agricultural Policy post-2013. I have raised this issue in Europe from the point of view that even if we attain best practice in this country, it is important that similar practices operate in the other member states of...
- Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: We are not capitulating to any of the multiples.
- Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: I am unsure whether Asda has a presence in our jurisdiction.
- Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: I am unsure of this is because the large multiples do not confide in me. Deputy Sherlock queried my reference to the European Union. Deputy Doyle adverted to the fact that this issue is referred to in the document on CAP reform to which Deputy has contributed. This is important from a European point of view as well because we must seek the best system to provide for fair practices and...
- Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: I thank Deputy Doyle. A vast amount of work has been undertaken in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation on this issue. The Minister, Deputy O'Keeffe, has outlined that he intends to bring forward the appropriate legislative measures early in 2011.
- Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)
Brendan Smith: I referred to this in an earlier reply.