Results 12,161-12,180 of 18,326 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named applied for 21 animals in 2009 under the Suckler Welfare Scheme. Under the Terms and Conditions of the scheme, for 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. Payment will not issue until all of the animals have been weaned to ensure compliance with this condition. Also...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (10 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: It is not clear from the question what is prohibiting the retailer from describing the product as Irish. Lamb which has been produced in the Island of Ireland can be called Irish. If the lamb has been slaughtered in Northern Ireland, then it would have to have the number of the approved premises on the label which would include "UK" in the oval mark. However the label could indicate that the...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (10 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: A major rationalisation plan for my Department was approved by Government last year. This plan involves a comprehensive restructuring of the Department's local office network and provides a fully integrated service to our farming clients and the wider agri-food and rural environmental sectors at regional level. The plan involves reducing, from 57 to 16, the number of offices from which the...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (3 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: I introduced this Scheme to provide some compensation to growers for damage to potatoes and root vegetables caused by frost in January of this year. The Scheme is aimed at providing a limited and targeted financial contribution to those growers who suffered significant losses of produce due to frost damage. The application for financial assistance from the person named was rejected, as the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2009. Following initial processing of the application, it was found that another applicant had also claimed one of the land parcels claimed by the person named. In keeping with standard procedures, both parties concerned were written to, in order to establish which of them had the right to claim...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (2 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: I am satisfied that the reorganisation of local offices in Donegal will provide a fully comprehensive service to the farming community and to the wider agri-food sector and that suitable office and related facilities will be provided at the level necessary to meet the requirements of the new regional office.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (2 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: Payment for 2008 issued to the person named in February 2008. Payment for 2009 is at an advanced stage of processing and should issue shortly.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (2 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named appealed the penalty in question. The Department examined the case and informed her by letter dated 18 May 2010 that the appeal was unsuccessful. The Department has informed the person named of her right to appeal this decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.

Written Answers — Irish Horseracing Industry: Irish Horseracing Industry (2 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to answer Question No. 175 and Question No. 179 together. In accordance with the provisions of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, I received assurances annually from the Chairman of the Irish National Stud Company Limited that the Code was being adhered to. Arising from a newspaper article dated 18 September 2009, I wrote to the Chairman of the Irish National...

Written Answers — Irish Horseracing Industry: Irish Horseracing Industry (2 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: In accordance with the provisions of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, I received reports annually from the Chairman of the Irish National Stud Company limited, including assurances that the Code was being complied with. My Department monitors compliance of the Irish National Stud Company Limited with the terms of the Code of Practice. Specifically, my Department...

Written Answers — Irish Horseracing Industry: Irish Horseracing Industry (2 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: I did not receive a copy of the report referred to by the Deputy. I was informed on 29 January 2010 by the Chairman of the Irish National Stud Company Limited of the engagement by the Company of an independent party in relation to human resources matters. Human resources issues arising in the Irish National Stud Company Limited are matters for the Board of the Company.

Written Answers — Irish Horseracing Industry: Irish Horseracing Industry (2 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: In accordance with the legislation establishing the Irish National Stud Company Limited, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food makes appointments to the Board of the Company having consulted with the Minister for Finance. The Directors are required to perform their tasks in accordance with Company law. I have made two appointments to date. The Chairman of the Board reports to...

Written Answers — Irish Horseracing Industry: Irish Horseracing Industry (2 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department has on-going contact with the Irish National Stud Company Limited regarding its financial performance. In addition, in response to a specific request by me, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company is preparing a report for submission by the Board to me on the manner in which the Board proposes to address the financial position of the Company.

Written Answers — Irish Horseracing Industry: Irish Horseracing Industry (2 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: In accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, I received annual assurances from the Chairman of the Irish National Stud Company Limited confirming the Company complies with the Code. I have also received separate assurances from the Chairman in response to specific enquiries arising from certain allegations made in relation to the Irish National Stud Company...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Forest Service has yet to receive an application for payment from the person named.

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (1 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: Drafting of the Animal Health and Welfare Bill, which gives effect to commitments in the Programme for Government and the Renewed Programme for Government on issues relating to animal health and welfare is ongoing in my Department. The legislation will amend and consolidate legislation in the area of animal health, particularly to reflect the changed disease status of our animals. Existing...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The payment due to this applicant under the above forestry contract number is currently being processed. It will issue to the applicant in the coming days.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named was the subject of a REPS on-the-spot inspection. In the course of this inspection he was found to be in breach of his undertakings and on 15 March 2010 he was notified of penalties to be imposed for non-compliance. The decision to impose these penalties was reviewed locally on request, and by letter dated 15th April 2010 my officials advised him that the penalties were...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (1 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: Applications for the Agri-Environment Options Scheme were received up to the deadline of 17 May both at my Department's office at Johnstown Castle in Co Wexford, from where the scheme is administered, and, in order to facilitate farmers, at local offices throughout the country. The local offices are in the process of sending the applications they received to Johnstown Castle. As not all...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named applied for 15 animals in 2009. Payment is currently being processed through Suckler Section and will issue shortly.