Results 11,901-11,920 of 18,326 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Marine Survey Office operates under the aegis of the Minister for Transport. Matters concerning that Office and maritime safety policy are the responsibility of that Department. I have no function in relation to the matter.

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: In relation to the 2010 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, I have exercised the option of making an advance payment of 75 per cent of DAS beginning on 22 September, with the balancing 25 per cent payment commencing 20 October. I have taken this option because of the EU requirement to entirely process applications before payment can be made in full. However, this approach will ensure the maximum...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The table below sets out information requested by the Deputy in respect of the CEOs of the State Bodies under my Department's aegis. State Body Appointment Date Length of Current Contract Contract Expiry Date Teagasc, CEO 1 October 2007 7 years 30 September 2014 Bord Bia, CEO 13 July 2009 5 years 12 July 2014 National Milk Agency, CEO 8 July 2005 CEO shall continue until he reaches the...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: I share the Deputies concern about the impact of recent wildfires on the national forest estate and on wildlife habitats. My Department has established an inter-agency group (Land and Forest Fires Working Group) to examine the issue and make recommendations to strengthen preventative measures and minimise the occurrence and impact of forest fires.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The scheme referred to is being considered in the context of the National Forestry Policy Review which is due to complete its work by the end of the year.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: There have been no derogations from replanting obligations given in the last five years. However, extensions to the period allowed for replanting have been granted to Coillte Teo in respect of: 1. The Western Peatlands Life Project. These extensions were allowed to enable Coillte, for environmental reasons, to devise a suitable, environmentally friendly replanting plan. 2. The control of pine...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) is the General Lighthouse Authority for all of Ireland, its adjacent seas and islands. CIL carry out the obligations of the Irish Government in relation to the provision of Aids to Navigation around the coast. The Colt Rock insignia was removed by CIL during their upgrading works on the Colt Rock beacon at Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre. Any...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named applied for 33 animals under the Suckler Welfare Scheme for 2009. Payment issued for 14 of the animals on 26 April 2010. Errors have been identified on the information submitted by the applicant in relation to some of the remaining nineteen animals and an official from my Department will contact the person named regarding these errors with a view to rectifying them.

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: A review of the functions and funding structure of the Aquaculture Initiative Team is currently taking place within the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. These deliberations are continuing and as yet no decision has been made as to the future of the Initiative.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Government is committed to ensuring the continuation of the afforestation programme at a rate that maximises the use of available financial resources. My Department, in the context of the Estimates process for 2011, is reviewing its commitments to ensure that priority needs, including forestry, are met. I am fully aware of the need to maximise funding for forestry in what are difficult...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The gross amounts of payments made across the relevant areas are set out below. This covers a period when my Department did not consider it appropriate to apply Relevant Contracts Tax procedures to certain payments associated with animal disease eradication schemes. Following on from the determination made by the Revenue Commissioners on this matter, Relevant Contracts Tax was applied to...

Written Answers — Animal Breeding Regulations: Animal Breeding Regulations (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: Heads of a Bill to provide the above amendments are currently being drafted and I intend to bring them to Government shortly.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named applied for 17 animals under the 2008 Suckler Welfare Scheme for 2008. 18 calves were born into the herd in this year but included one set of twins. Payment is made on the eligible suckler cow and was made, in full, on 30 April 2009 in respect of the 17 suckler cows. The person named applied on 17 animals under this Scheme for 2009. Payment in full issued on 30 July 2010 in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named applied for 29 animals under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, one of the primary requirements for applicants with herds of more than 10 cows, the animals must be weaned in at least two separate groups with at least five days between the weaning of each group. The person named declared that he had weaned all of the animals on 15...

Written Answers — Salmon Farming: Salmon Farming (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department has sought and obtained legal advice in relation to the issues that arise and continues to make every effort to resolve the situation as soon as possible in the public interest.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received on the 17th of May 2010. This application was selected for and was the subject of a ground eligibility and full cross compliance inspection. As soon as the inspection results have been processed, a 75% advance payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will issue with a 25% balancing payment on 20...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: There are currently 12 State Bodies which come under the aegis of my Department and in most cases there is no requirement under legislation for Ministerial approval of the Annual Reports but there is a requirement to lay such Reports before both Houses of the Oireachtas except in the case of the Veterinary Council of Ireland. The information requested by the Deputy is laid out in the table...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: On 23 April 2010 the Food Safety Authority of Ireland advised that it was investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium DT8 in humans that was linked to the consumption of duck eggs. Subsequent investigations revealed that nine individual flocks were infected. Duck eggs are not covered under EU legislation on marketing standards or zoonosis and there is no scheme of compensation for...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1631,1635 and 1661 together. The person named applied for 64 animals under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme and payment has issues in respect of 58 animals. Payment cannot be made for the remaining animals until the outstanding queries are satisfactorily dealt with, and my Department is awaiting a response from the applicant in relation to these queries.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named applied for 23 animals under the Suckler Welfare Scheme for 2009. Payment was made in March 2010 in respect of 8 of these animals. A number of queries arose on the remaining 15 animals during the validation process undertaken by my Department. A letter has issued to the applicant requesting clarification and a reply is awaited.