Results 11,521-11,540 of 18,326 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Health and Safety: Health and Safety (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 67 together. Firstly I would like to express my deepest concern and sadness at the number of fatalities on Irish farms this year. The tragic deaths of 23 people through farming activities is of grave concern to us all. Needless to say I strongly support the Health and Safety Authority, which is the national body in Ireland with responsibility for...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: This year has proven to a particularly challenging one from the point of view of keeping my Department's Land Parcel Identification System up to date. By the time the processing of the 2010 applications is completed, it is expected that my Department will have processed and digitised maps received from over 70,000 farmers. This compares with a figure of 30,000 for 2009 and an average of...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The EU Regulations governing REPS 4 and other area-based schemes provide that payments issue in two instalments. The first instalment of 75% may be paid once all administrative checks on all applications, as well as cross-checks against areas declared on Single Payment Scheme applications, have been completed. This process is under way and while my objective is to make all payments as soon...

Written Answers — EU Council Meetings: EU Council Meetings (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: At the last Fisheries Council meeting, held on 26 October 2010 in Luxembourg, the fisheries agenda item of particular importance for Ireland was the discussion regarding the upcoming negotiations between the EU and Norway on a bilateral fisheries agreement for 2011. These negotiations are held annually, and Norway and the Community routinely swap fishing opportunities in each others waters...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Under the legislation governing the implementation of the Single Payment Scheme it is permissible to pay applicants only in respect of eligible land. This year up to 70,000 applicants have identified ineligible areas and features on maps sent to my Department which is then obliged to have these amendments re-digitised onto its Land Parcel Identification System. The volume of maps received...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Sheep Fencing and Mobile Handling Equipment Scheme opened for applications on 1 November 2010. The Scheme will remain open for valid applications until 31 December 2013 and selection criteria will be applicable in order to determine those grant applications which will proceed to the approval stage. Under the terms of Ireland's Rural Development Programme, a sum of €8 million will be...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 86 together. I recently announced the ninth Milk Quota Trading Scheme, which will be the first of two Trading Schemes to allocate quota in respect of the 2011/2012 milk quota year. The structure of the Scheme will remain largely unchanged. It will again be run in respect of each Co-op area, and will be comprised of a priority pool and a market...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department remains committed to investing in research and innovation in the Irish Agri-Food sector. I believe that both public and private investment in research and innovation is critical to ensuring that the Agri-Food industry becomes part of the smart economy thereby enabling it to play a key role in leading our country to better economic times. The Food Harvest 2020 Report, recently...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The new conditions relating to farmer status were recently agreed following a long consultation with a wide range of forestry stakeholders. I am satisfied that the new conditions are appropriate for applications for forestry grants.

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: An Bord Bia is undertaking a series of market research, development and promotion initiatives in 2010 to support the food, beverages, seafood and horticulture sectors including the following. The Marketplace 2010 event in Croke Park in February 2010 brought together 383 buyers with 155 Irish companies for 3,863 pre-arranged meetings to identify business potential. The net budget for the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: My overall priority in relation to processing payments under the Single Farm Payment and Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in 2010 is to ensure that as many payments can be made to as many farmers as quickly as possible subject to the necessary requirements of those two schemes being met. For that reason, I set out a very ambitious payments schedule for the commencement of payments under the...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: In the face of ever-greater concentration of demand, the grouping of supply of fruit and vegetables through Producer Organisations is more than ever an economic necessity in order to strengthen the position of producers in the market. Accordingly, in its 2007 reform of the common organisation of the market for fruit and vegetables, the European Union made further provision for financial...

Written Answers — Food Security: Food Security (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The first meeting of the reformed Committee on World Food Security (CFS) took place from 11th to 16th October 2010. The reform of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) has been brought about both by the ongoing reform of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and by the increasing recognition, since the 2008 food price spikes, of the need to improve global governance in food and...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: As was set down in the Food Harvest 2020 report, I believe that seafood innovation and new product development together with maintenance of an international reputation for wholesome, fresh and natural seafood, produced in the most sustainable and environmentally friendly manner, are essential to the advancement and further development of the Irish seafood sector. With this in mind I have...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: EU Commission approval for the introduction of five targeted modernisation schemes focused on supporting productive investment in the agricultural sector was received earlier this year. Due to the relatively short time-frames for completion of the investment works concerned, priority was given to the introduction of the Sow Welfare and Poultry Welfare Schemes which were launched on 16 June...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 76 and 80 together. My view is that the agriculture and food production sector is hugely important in the context of Europe's economic and industrial recovery. It contributes to all three priorities of the EU 2020 strategy of smart, green and inclusive growth. Its importance has been acknowledged in the conclusions by the Heads of State and Government at...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: It is anticipated that planting in 2010 will be in the region of 7,000 hectares.

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: EU Commission approval for the introduction of five targeted modernisation schemes focused on supporting productive investment in the agricultural sector was received earlier this year. Due to the relatively short time-frames for completion of the investment works concerned, priority was given to the introduction of the Sow Welfare and Poultry Welfare Schemes which were launched on 16 June...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Scheme implementation and the delivery of services by my Department in the future, including the implementation of the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme, will be considered in the context of 2011 Budgetary process and the preparation of the Four Year Expenditure Programme.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I am confident that the Bord Iascaigh Mhara 2010-2012 Strategy - 'Delivering on the Potential of Irish Seafood', drafted in consultation with the Irish seafood industry, will deliver on its stated targets thus bringing innovative, developmental and financial benefits to both the sector and the economy as a whole. The development of the seafood sector is supported by the Irish Seafood...