Results 12,041-12,060 of 18,482 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (5 Oct 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 17 May 2010. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 22 September, with an advance payment of 75% issuing in respect of those parcels cleared for payment at that stage. As the person named listed one plot on his application, the advance payment issued in...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Oct 2010)

Brendan Smith: The following is the information requested Recommendation Annual saving identified Progress to date (Annual) saving achieved 1 Transfer export promotion function of An Bord Bia and BIM to Enterprise Ireland; transfer BIM's other functions to DAFF and consider same for An Bord Bia €7.3m Partially implemented; BIM marketing functions transferred to An Bord Bia.COFORD integrated into DAFF....

Written Answers — Share Farming Agreements: Share Farming Agreements (5 Oct 2010)

Brendan Smith: There are no figures available for the number of farmers currently involved in share farming agreements, as participants are not required to register their involvement. They are likely to be few in number in any event, as this type of arrangement is a relatively new development, launched by Teagasc a little under a year ago. Information on share farming agreements, covering how to go about...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (5 Oct 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 10 May 2010. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility and Cross Compliance inspection. During the course of the inspection problems were discovered with regard to ineligible areas of land and breaches of Nitrates. This case is currently being...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (5 Oct 2010)

Brendan Smith: The pier at Doolin is the property of Clare County Council and responsibility for its repair and upkeep rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. My Department has not allocated any funding in respect of development works at Doolin for the years 2005 to 2010.

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (5 Oct 2010)

Brendan Smith: The application from the person named is currently being examined in my Department. The applicant will be informed of the decision once this examination is complete.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (5 Oct 2010)

Brendan Smith: The application was referred to the Planning Section of South Tipperary County Council on the 17th September 2010 on the recommendation of the Forest Service Inspector for the area. In accordance with normal processing procedures, if no reply is received within one month of this date, that is 17th October 2010, it will be assumed that the local authority has no objections to the proposed...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (5 Oct 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named registered 11 animals under the 2008 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payment has already issued to the applicant for 7 animals and a further 2 have been approved for payment and will issue in the near future. The remaining two animals have queries associated with them and the person named has been written to in this regard. The person named registered 24 animals under the 2009...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Single Farm Payment application of the above named has been fully processed and is now clear. Payment will issue when payments commence on 18 October 2010.

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (30 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: A registered herdowner must be in possession of passports of animals prior to presenting the animals for slaughter and entry to the food chain. The person in question wishes to slaughter a number of cattle but does not have the passports of three of the animals which belonged to a herd owned by a sibling, now deceased. He has recently applied to my Department for the transfer of the...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: Significant work has been done on the evaluation of the impact of the Strategy for Improved Pest Control on Irish Salmon Farms by a group set up specifically for this. This work is being compiled into a draft Report which, following final examination by the Group, will be completed. When the Report is completed it will be made available as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department in conjunction with the Marine Institute has been implementing a new strategy in the treatment of sea lice for the last three years which is having a beneficial effect. There has been a steady incremental decrease in sea lice infestation levels in Connemara over this period. The site in question is now being managed as part of a suite of sites to ensure separation of...

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: Phosphorous deficiency was among the issues raised in submissions received during the public consultation process that formed part of the review of The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, commonly known as the 'Nitrates Regulations'. These regulations constitute the legal basis for Ireland's National Action Programme under the Nitrates...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: In response to the Deputy's question, I have detailed the number of persons (in terms of full-time equivalents) employed in my Constituency Office, that of my predecessor, Minister of State Sean Connick and the previous Ministers of State who have held office in this Department since 14th June 2007. The tables below detail the amount of salaries and expenses (including overtime, allowances...

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 — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: Phosphorous levels in the soil and protein levels in malting barley were among the issues raised in submissions received during the public consultation process that formed part of the review of The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, commonly known as the 'Nitrates Regulations'. These regulations constitute the legal basis for Ireland's...

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.