Results 11,501-11,520 of 18,461 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department endeavours to ensure that all monies owed to private firms are paid promptly on receipt of a valid invoice. It is fully committed to complying with the terms of the Prompt Payment Regulations and also with the 2009 Government decision that all Departments commit to paying Irish suppliers within 15 days of receipt of valid invoices. In the year ending 31 October 2010, almost 83%...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The following is a list of the external reports and reviews commissioned by my Department in the years 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; EXTERNAL REPORTS/REVIEWS COMMISSIONED 2008 Title Cost Farrell, Grant, Sparks –"Review of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund" €19,440 External evaluation of the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM) Value for Money (VfM) report €2,299 External...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The 2010 capital allocation for my Department together with expenditure to end October 2010 is as follows January/October Budget 2010 Expenditure Capital budget €431.479m. €346.216m. comprising Administrative Budget €4.191m. €1.118m. Schemes and Programmes ...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department does not employ external public relations companies and has not for the years in question. Public relations advice, where required is provided by my Department's Press Office. It is not possible to provide costs for this service, as the work is carried out as part of the standard duties of the staff involved. Following the Government announcement of 8 July 2008 that required...

EU Sugar Market Reform: Statements (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: What organisation does Deputy Ó Snodaigh represent? That is a scandalous remark-----

EU Sugar Market Reform: Statements (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: -----given the background of the organisation he represents.

EU Sugar Market Reform: Statements (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: There are organisations in Ireland which know all about robbery throughout the 32 counties.

EU Sugar Market Reform: Statements (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I totally reject the argument that every effort was not made to protect the Irish sugar industry. Every effort was made. Greencore made the decision to renounce the quota, not the Government. To answer Deputy Doyle's first question, the special share in Greencore did not allow the Minister, acting on behalf of the State, to contribute to the decision made by Greencore on the renunciation of...

EU Sugar Market Reform: Statements (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I have just read them out for the Deputy. They applied to any changes to certain specified articles of the articles of association of Greencore, the voluntary winding up of Greencore, the sale of more than 49% of Irish Sugar plc and the creation of a new class of shares in Greencore. At the time the Government obtained legal advice on its ability to participate in the decision made by...

EU Sugar Market Reform: Statements (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I utterly reject some of the argument put forward by Deputy Seán Sherlock. The Government was not influenced by any outside forces in its negotiations leading up to the decisions made at the end of November 2005. Ireland opposed the Commission's proposals in regard to the sugar regime. The Tánaiste, the then Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Mary Coughlan, led a group of 14...

EU Sugar Market Reform: Statements (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: In the background to the discussions in question is the fact that the protected price that was available up to the point to which I refer would - on foot of the WTO panel ruling and the European Union's obligations under international trade rules - no longer have been available. Greencore took a commercial decision to renounce its quota. When it did so, the then Minister, Deputy Coughlan,...

EU Sugar Market Reform: Statements (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: That is not an accurate-----

EU Sugar Market Reform: Statements (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The reality is that Greencore took the decision to exit the industry.

EU Sugar Market Reform: Statements (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy is absolutely wrong. I reject that type of nonsensical remark. Such remarks are not worthy of a Member of this House. The Deputy should withdraw that baseless comment.

EU Sugar Market Reform: Statements (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Deputy D'Arcy's comment is baseless in nature and he should withdraw it. Greencore made the decision to exit the industry. The then Minister fought for a good package for the various stakeholders in this country.

EU Sugar Market Reform: Statements (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: To what money is the Deputy referring?

EU Sugar Market Reform: Statements (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: So the Deputy is stating that the beet growers of County Wexford should not have been compensated. I am surprised that a Deputy who represents the county would make such a statement.

EU Sugar Market Reform: Statements (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Greencore held the quota share. I am sure no one is going to seriously suggest that it was not in possession of up-to-date information in respect of its activities. The situation was changing because the protected price would no longer be available as a result of the WTO's ruling. I reiterate that the then Minister and her officials had made available the most up-to-date statistics and...

EU Sugar Market Reform: Statements (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: It is very wrong of the Deputy to make such a statement. I do not accept that anyone in this House would stitch up legislation.

EU Sugar Market Reform: Statements (11 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The reply by the Commission-----