Results 12,821-12,840 of 18,482 for speaker:Brendan Smith
- Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (1 Apr 2010)
Brendan Smith: The Rural Environment Protection Scheme remains in operation. Almost 30,000 farmers have applied to join REPS 4 since it was launched. All existing REPS 3 and 4 participants will be allowed to remain in the scheme until the end of their existing contracts, the last of which will finish at the end of 2015. This year, my Department will spend â¬330 million on REPS. All EU funding provided...
- Written Answers — Sugar Beet Sector: Sugar Beet Sector (1 Apr 2010)
Brendan Smith: Sugar beet can no longer be grown in Ireland for sugar processing following the decision to close down the sugar processing industry in 2006. Under the EU restructuring scheme for the sugar industry, the entire Irish sugar quota was renounced, the associated processing facilities were dismantled and the stakeholders concerned, including the beet growers, were compensated for the loss of the...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Apr 2010)
Brendan Smith: Out of 28,842 farmers due payments in REPS 4, payments have issued to over 21,000 as of today. Because of industrial action by officials in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a breakdown of these figures by county. To meet the requirements of EU regulations, applications for REPS payments have to go through an exhaustive series of administrative checks before payment can be...
- Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (1 Apr 2010)
Brendan Smith: Due to industrial action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Apr 2010)
Brendan Smith: Due to industrial action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.
- Written Answers — Animal Carcase Disposal: Animal Carcase Disposal (31 Mar 2010)
Brendan Smith: My Department currently approves three establishments for equine slaughter under the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 432 of 2009). These are: B&F Meats Ltd, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny (approval no. 371) Ballon Meats, Ballon, Co. Carlow (approval no. 392) Shannonside Foods Ltd., Straffan, Co. Kildare (approval no. 2020) The Food Safety Authority of...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 Mar 2010)
Brendan Smith: Due to industrial action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.
- Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (31 Mar 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 — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (30 Mar 2010)
Brendan Smith: The Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) has made a proposal to my Department regarding the possibility of a limited offshore Sea Bass fishery. This proposal is being given careful consideration in the context of advice received from both the Marine Institute and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. In coming to a decision on the matter, I am particularly conscious of the need to maintain...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Mar 2010)
Brendan Smith: Due to industrial action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.
- Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (30 Mar 2010)
Brendan Smith: My responsibilities do not extend to issues regarding trading in public places. Such matters are for the relevant local authority and in the case of the horse market at Smithfield the relevant local authority is Dublin City Council. With regard to the introduction of new animal welfare legislation the position is that an Animal Health and Welfare Bill which will give effect to commitments in...
- Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (30 Mar 2010)
Brendan Smith: My Department's Engineering Division is aware of and continues to monitor the condition of the harbour at Cape Clear. A number of options are currently being examined to determine the optimum intervention strategy for the harbour. In addition I have this year allocated â¬30,000 under the 2010 Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructural Development Programme for design works associated with...
- Written Answers — Equine Industry: Equine Industry (30 Mar 2010)
Brendan Smith: European Commission Regulation No. 504/2008 set out an improved system for the identification for equidae and is binding on all Member States of the European Union. All keepers of horses, passport issuing bodies and veterinary practitioners are obliged to comply with the provisions of this Regulation. The enhanced system for identifying equidae has three elements (1) an equine passport; (2)...
- Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (30 Mar 2010)
Brendan Smith: The information requested by the Deputy regarding the Chief Executives in the agencies under the aegis of my Department is set out in tabular form below. CEOs in the non-commercial agencies for which my Department is responsible are subject to pay adjustments in accordance with the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act, 2009. These pay adjustments are set out in...
- Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (30 Mar 2010)
Brendan Smith: The Miscanthus and Willow BioEnergy scheme came into operation on 5th February 2010 and the closing date for applications for pre-planting approval is 31st March 2010. The full terms and conditions are available on my Department's website, www.agriculture.gov.ie The Scheme is open to applicants who meet the following criteria: Applicants who are landowners or have leasehold title to the land...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Mar 2010)
Brendan Smith: Due to industrial action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Mar 2010)
Brendan Smith: Due to industrial action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Mar 2010)
Brendan Smith: Due to industrial action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.
- Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (30 Mar 2010)
Brendan Smith: The amendment to the Rural Development Programme approved by the European Commission, under which I have introduced the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme today, does not include provision for a higher payment to farmers on islands.
- Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (30 Mar 2010)
Brendan Smith: In REPS 4, land farmed on off-shore islands receives an additional 15% over and above the general rates of payment.