Results 12,581-12,600 of 18,338 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Farm Output: Farm Output (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: According to the CSO, the values of output at producer prices for the beef, pigmeat, sheep, poultry and dairy sectors for the past five years, were as shown in the table below. Sector 2005(€m) 2006(€m) 2007(€m) 2008(€m) 2009(€m) Livestock cattle 1413.2 1501.1 1502.7 1668 1485.3 Livestockpigs 292 320.8 293.3 333.8 299.9 Livestocksheep 191.8 190.5 182.2 171.4 161.2...

Written Answers — Common Fisheries Policy: Common Fisheries Policy (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 246 together. The EU Commission estimates that over 80% of EU stocks are over fished. This statistic should make us all pause and take stock of the serious situation facing the fishing industry across Europe. If unchecked the long term sustainability and viability of many fish stocks will be uncertain. The EU Court of Auditors report in December 2007...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: Agricultural production in Ireland and the EU must be viewed in the context of a reformed and evolving Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with much more competitive EU and world commodity markets. As a result of the reformed CAP farmers can now take advantage of the freedom to farm exclusively for the market. They can focus on meeting the requirements of the consumer in a competitive manner....

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: Milk production levels in any given year are a function of price, climatic and other factors. Over the medium to long term, prospects for global dairy markets are positive, with growth in wealth and population forecast to stimulate strong levels of demand and improve returns in the sector. The Irish dairy industry is well placed to take advantage of this expansion in global demand. There is...

Written Answers — Crop Losses: Crop Losses (29 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 250 together. Following a preliminary assessment of the crop losses caused by the severe weather conditions in January, I announced, in February, the introduction of a limited scheme of financial assistance to certain potato and field vegetable growers who have suffered significant losses of produce due to frost damage. It is not proposed to extend...

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

Brendan Smith: Out of 29,376 farmers due payments in REPS 4, 100% payments have issued to over 21,000 as of 23 April 2010, with a further 1,342 payments issuing this week. Details are set out on a county-by-county basis in the table. The processing of REPS 4 payments is governed by EU Regulations which require exhaustive administrative checks and on-the-spot inspections. In most parts of the country, the...

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

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 254 together. The Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) has made a proposal to my Department concerning a limited Sea Bass fishery in the Celtic Sea. In the proposal the FIF have stated that they will take a "precautionary approach to avoid any fishing whatsoever of the Irish inshore stock". The FIF has specifically proposed that vessels would be...

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

Brendan Smith: Operational aspects in relation to sea fisheries control operations are a matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). I have asked the SFPA to respond directly to the Deputy. I am not aware of a report in recent years into illegal bass fishing prepared by the a manager of the Southern Fisheries Board. The Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) has made a proposal to my Department...

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

Brendan Smith: The application belonging to the person named cannot be processed until he replies to a letter which my officials sent him on 9 April 2010.

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

Brendan Smith: My officials wrote to the person named on 26 April 2010 about his application and are waiting for him to reply.

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

Brendan Smith: The person named had 28 animals for consideration under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payment amounting to totalling €902 was issued to the applicant on 12th March 2009 in respect of 22 animals. During the validation process a number of queries arose in relation to the remaining animals and an official from my Department will make direct contact with the applicant with a view to...

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

Brendan Smith: The holding of the person concerned has been restricted under the TB and Brucellosis Eradication Scheme since 24 February 2010. As outlined in the Important Information for Farmers booklet, which is issued to all herdowners at the time of restriction, the amount to be paid by the Department under the On Farm Market Valuation Scheme, which is the difference between the on-farm market value of...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (28 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The following REPS payments issued to the owner of the Herd number supplied prior to 2002: Date Amount 6-Jan-1998 â'¬2,640.90 4-Jul-1998 â'¬2,640.89 13-Jan-1998 â'¬1,236.19 30-Apr-1999 â'¬6,058.80 23-Feb-2000 â'¬328.19 7-Apr-2000 â'¬6,058.80 28-Feb-2001 â'¬246.14 30-Mar-2001 â'¬6,058.80

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (28 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: An adjusted plan was requested from the person named in this case. The adjusted plan was received on 12 March 2010, and is currently being processed by my officials.

Written Answers — Parliamentary Questions: Parliamentary Questions (28 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: A review of records indicate it was not possible to answer 66 questions and partial answers could only be provided to 2 other questions.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (27 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: In addition to the normal annual grant in aid payments, Teagasc was allowed to retain €28m of the total proceeds of €37.4m from the proceeds of property disposals in Galway for specific capital investment purposes. The retained proceeds are being used by Teagasc for capital investment in the development of certain research centres of excellence under the Teagasc Research Vision Programme....

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (27 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The following are the number of hectares of trees planted in each of the past five years by species. Year Broadleaf Conifer Total 2005 3,002 7,094 10,096 2006 2,527 5,509 8,036 2007 2,182 4,765 6,947 2008 2,227 4,022 6,249 2009 2,473 4,175 6,648

Written Answers — National Flock: National Flock (27 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: According to the CSO, the size of the national sheep flock in December for the years in question was as shown in the table below: Year No. of sheep on farms in December 2005 4,257,000 2006 3,826,300 2007 3,530,500 2008 3,422,900 2009 3,182,600 I am aware of the decline in numbers in the national flock, although Ireland is not unique in that regard. Most of the main sheep-producing...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Apr 2010)

Brendan Smith: The implementation of a carbon tax on fossil fuels is, in the first instance, a matter for my colleagues, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Finance Bill, 2010, introduced carbon taxation of mineral oils, which will apply to petrol, auto-diesel, kerosene, marked gas oil, liquid petroleum gas, fuel oil and natural gas. These...

Written Answers — Crop Losses: Crop Losses (27 Apr 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. Financial aid will only be paid in instances where genuine damage to crops was caused...