Results 11,601-11,620 of 18,461 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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.

Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The proposed merger will allow for the introduction of a statutory code of conduct in the grocery goods sector. The Minister, Deputy O'Keeffe, expects to publish this legislation early in 2011.

Grocery Sector (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: It will allow for a statutory code.

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Organic Farming Scheme was introduced in 2007 to deliver enhanced environmental and animal welfare benefits and to promote organic production. Support for these objectives had been provided by way of supplementary measure under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme. A total of 365 applications were received in respect of the 2010 Organic Farming Scheme. This is in addition to the 488...

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

Brendan Smith: This year has proven to be a very challenging one from the point of view of processing Single Payment Scheme applications. A substantial additional workload has led to a situation where the initial processing and administrative validation of applications took considerably longer than recent years. In addition, there was a very large increase in the volume of maps submitted on which area...

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

Brendan Smith: The arrangements for payment of the remaining grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis were confirmed in early 2009 with 40 per cent being paid in that year as claims were approved. A further instalment of 40 per cent was paid early in 2010 and the final instalment of 20 per cent will be paid in early 2011. At that stage, total expenditure under the Scheme, since...