Results 11,581-11,600 of 18,461 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: We do not set the criteria for these schemes, which are European Union-wide. In the space of a few short weeks, more than 110,000 farmers have been issued with payments totalling €700 million. We knew from the early part of this year there would be additional requirements from Europe with regard to mapping, land parcel identification and so on. In recent years, individual farmers may...

Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: We should not use the word "discrepancy"; perhaps "change".

Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: If a person writes to the Department or to me, he or she will get a response, and we will take up any issue. I must point out that there are no discrepancies. The administration of the single farm payment, the disadvantaged area payment, the new upland sheep payment and the REP scheme must be done in accordance with the criteria laid down by the European Union. We are not going to...

Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Coonan-----

Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: That type of misrepresentation does us no justice. The Department brought in-----

Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Doyle is well capable of asking the questions, and I will answer them. Deputy Doyle said that this could have been expected. In anticipation of the extra workload, we had arranged for extra resources from a personnel point of view and from the company that does mapping work on contract for the Department.

Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: We should recognise, as should every public representative in the House, that 90% of farmers have received a payment under these schemes. That is an important message that Deputies should be promulgating-----

Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: -----instead of trying to undermine a successful scheme.

Common Agricultural Policy (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I would prefer to avoid direct comment on a leaked document. It is at most a draft and may change as it goes through the inter-services consultation process within the Commission. That said, in so far as the draft communication reflects the main issues that have been under discussion in the CAP debate over recent months, I can outline the following. My overarching view is that we need a...

Common Agricultural Policy (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I thank Deputy Coonan for his support and I look forward to working with him and his colleagues. With regard to our allies, the first discussion I had on CAP post-2013 was at the September Council meeting in 2008. There have been numerous discussions on this issue at Council meetings since then at which I have advocated the Irish position strongly and in a positive manner. I have outlined...

Common Agricultural Policy (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I have not had the opportunity to read the document yet. Hopefully, I will get an opportunity over the weekend but I am sure it is positive. Whenever I have appeared before the committee, all members have shared the same views and priorities. Bart Brady, former assistant Secretary General in the Department contributed to the work carried out by the joint committee and he is one of the...

Agri-Environment Options Scheme (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The agri-environment options scheme was launched in March this year with a closing date for applications of 17 May 2010. In all, 9,236 applications were received by the closing date. The processing of applications is well advanced at this stage and letters of approval for participation in the scheme have issued to almost 6,000 applicants or almost two-thirds of all applicants. The process...

Agri-Environment Options Scheme (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The average payment of €4,000 is based on the number of applications processed to date. Approximately two thirds have been processed and, therefore, the payment may vary. People had a menu of options for participation in the scheme. Some people opted to participate under different measures and it was up to the individual to decide which measures he or she wished to participate in. The...

Agri-Environment Options Scheme (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Those who have entered the scheme are in it for five years so funding is ring-fenced for them. No Department's Estimate is finalised yet. I do not know what allocation the Department will have, it is an issue that is up for consideration.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Last year, provision was made in the budget by the Minister for Finance for the new agri-environment options scheme that was to be launched in early 2010. It was decided that provision would be made to allow 10,000 people to participate at a maximum payment of €5,000, a provision of €50,000 per year. Once a person joins the scheme, he is guaranteed access to it for five years. It is a...

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...