Results 11,561-11,580 of 18,326 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2010. A number of parcels listed on the application required re-digitisation, as this process is now complete, the total payment due in respect of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will issue to the person named in the coming days.

Written Answers — Food Harvest 2020: Food Harvest 2020 (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The market performance of the meat, dairy and cereal sectors is a function of supply and demand, and has been affected by the recent global economic downturn, exchange rates and other factors. Food Harvest 2020 provides a vision for Irish Agri-food and Fisheries for the next 10 years and includes specific recommendations for these valuable sectors. Dairy Sector The development of a strong and...

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

Brendan Smith: My development programme for the dairy sector is, in fact, a ten-year one, taking the sector to milk quota abolition and beyond. The Food Harvest 2020 report, which I launched during the summer with the Taoiseach, outlines the positive prospects for the dairy sector over the medium- to long-term, and sets an ambitious target of a 50 per cent increase in milk production by 2020. It outlines a...

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

Brendan Smith: I am strongly committed to securing a future for the sheep industry in Ireland. This sector is a valuable part of the overall agri-food sector and its future depends on its ability to meet the needs of the market. In order to do this effectively, the sector must focus on competitiveness, innovation and the demands of the consumer. Food Harvest 2020 provides a vision for Irish Agri-food and...

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

Brendan Smith: The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for the enforcement of this legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). This is done through service contracts between the FSAI and my Department, The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Health Service Executive and the Local Authority...

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

Brendan Smith: Consignments of food products of animal origin directly entering on to the territory of the EU must be the subject of a prior notification of import. My Department, in co-operation with Customs service, monitors and operates animal and public health controls at EU approved Border Inspection Posts (BIP) on all direct imports into Ireland coming from non-EU (or third) countries. These are...

Written Answers — Laboratory Facilities: Laboratory Facilities (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The DAFF Laboratory facilities at Backweston are capable of dealing with DAFF's analytical requirements to a considerable degree but do not fully meet evolving requirements. While it is possible to carry out a large range of tests at DAFF Laboratories at Backweston, a small number of samples are sent abroad annually for tests which are not carried out at DAFF laboratories e.g. typing of...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Farmers are currently in receipt of payments under two REP Schemes, REPS 3 and REPS 4 and there are roughly 31,000 participants in each of the schemes. REPS 3 Payments under REPS 3 are made in advance, on receipt of the farmer's application for payment on or after the anniversary date of commencement in the scheme. Generally, REPS 3 payments are made within the 8 weeks deadline, as agreed...

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

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 248 together. My Department is involved in the payment of a wide range of grants and subventions including, for example, payments under the Single Payment Scheme to some 130,000 beneficiaries and area based compensation allowances to some 102,000 farmers. Payments are also made under various investment schemes, Forestry, Early Retirement, Installation...

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

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 247, 250 and 251 together. I am determined to ensure that the proposed reform of the Common Agricultural Policy will deliver a strong and well funded policy in the years ahead. I have made my position very clear to the EU Commission and to my colleagues in the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers and I am pleased to report that there is good support for my...

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

Brendan Smith: It is my policy and that of the Government to ensure that Irish producers have access to as many global markets as possible. Irish dairy products are exported to other EU Member States and to over 100 countries worldwide. The amount of exports to any particular destination varies in accordance with changes in the supply/demand dynamics in particular regions of the world and in respect of...

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

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 11 May 2010. A number of maps submitted with the application required amendment on my Department's Land Parcel Mapping system. The Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas for the person named has been fully processed and payment will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: It was not possible to provide the information requested within the required timeframe. However, I have arranged for this information to be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.

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

Brendan Smith: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2010. A number of parcels listed on the application of the person named required digitisation; immediately this process is complete, provided no errors are identified, the application will be further processed, with a view to the payments due issuing shortly thereafter.

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

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 6 May 2010. Advance payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued on 21 September and under the Single Payment Scheme on 18 October, in both cases on the basis on the land cleared at that stage. A number of parcels listed on the application required re-digitisation;...

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

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2010. Single Payment Scheme advance payments of 50% commenced issuing on 18 October in respect of those lands cleared for payment at that stage. A number of parcels listed on the application of the person named required digitisation; while this process is now complete it was found that the...

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

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 10 May 2010. Payments under both Schemes have commenced based on land parcels cleared for payment. However, a land parcel listed on the application of the person named requires digitisation; immediately this process is complete, provided no errors are identified, the...

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

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 17 May 2010. As the initial validation checks on the application revealed that two of the land parcels declared had been over-claimed, a query letter was issued on 12 October 2010. A map of the area concerned was enclosed with the letter and the person named invited to examine the boundaries and either...

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

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 17 May 2010. Single Payment Scheme advance payments of 50% commenced issuing on 18 October in respect of those lands cleared for payment at that stage. A number of parcels listed on the application of the person named required digitisation; immediately this process is complete, provided no errors are...

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

Brendan Smith: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received from the person named on the 17 May 2010. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility and Full Cross Compliance Inspection. The inspection process is completed and the application has now been fully processed. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will issue within...