Results 13,361-13,380 of 18,338 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: Discussions between officials of my Department and the European Commission on a new agri-environment scheme are at an advanced stage and I am confident that formal approval will be secured in the near future. I expect to be in a position to announce details of the scheme early in 2010.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The proposed agri-environment scheme is a new initiative and is not a continuation of REPS. Selection criteria for applicants will apply, and these will be based on the continuation of potential applicants to the priorities of achieving biodiversity, water management and climate change objectives. My officials are in discussion on the details of the view scheme. I am confident that formal...

Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: While the EU Hygiene Regulations introduced in January 2006 includes a derogation for direct sales at local level for primary producers, it also provides that a Member State may introduce a national measure to prohibit or restrict the placing on the market within its own territory of raw milk or raw cream intended for direct human consumption. It is a well-documented fact that raw milk is a...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: An issue has arisen during the processing of the REPS 4 application from the person named. Processing of the application cannot be completed until it has been resolved. My officials will be in contact with him shortly.

Written Answers — Common Fisheries Policy: Common Fisheries Policy (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the fisheries policy of the European Union which was first put in place in 1983 and has been subject to reviews every 10 years, the most recent was in 2002 and the next is formally scheduled for 2012. I welcome the Commission's Green Paper on the reform of the CFP and acknowledge the importance of the process we are embarking on, as it will culminate in...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 354 to 357, inclusive, together. None of the eight non-commercial bodies under the aegis of my Department are involved in the processing of entitlement payments. In relation to the other issues the following is the position. Inspections relevant to the function of each organization are carried out by the Veterinary Council of Ireland, the Sea Fisheries...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: Payment will issue to the person named within the next 10 days.

Written Answers — Lost at Sea Scheme: Lost at Sea Scheme (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: Since the conclusion in November 2008 of the Ombudsman's investigation into the complaint made by a Donegal family whose application under the Lost at Sea Scheme was refused, my Department has been engaged in correspondence with the Ombudsman in relation to her findings in this case and the proposal to award financial compensation. I and my Department have consistently taken the view that...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: It is estimated that the allocation for forestry in the 2010 Budget will fund planting in the region of 7,000 hectares next year. This would represent an increase of roughly 500 hectares on the expected outturn for planting in 2009. The higher level of planting envisaged is evidence of the Government's continued commitment to forestry.

Written Answers — National Herd: National Herd (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The number of cattle in the national herd on the dates requested by the Deputy are shown below. Date Number of cattle(millions) December 31st 1995 6.45 December 31st 2000 6.33 December 31st 2005 6.53 November 1st 2009 6.37 The 1995 and 2000 figures are taken from Central Statistics Office data while the 2005 and 2009 figures are based on information extracted from the Department's...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme. Under the terms of the Scheme, payment of the grant concerned is made once it has been established that the requirements of the Scheme have been met, including the conditions in relation to property, education and income. The outcome of my Department's examination of the application will be made known to the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person named has received all his REPS 3 payments to date. My Department has no record of a REPS 4 application being received from him.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person named has received all her REPS 3 payments to date and has been paid up to 30 June 2010.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person named has received all his REPS 3 payments to date. They have been paid up to 30 June 2010. My Department has no record of an application from him for REPS 4.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: In considering applications under the Foreshore Acts my Department consults with a range of statutory consultees and also takes due regard of broad Government policy on related matters. In the case of offshore renewable energy projects appropriate consideration is given to Government policy on energy provision in determining applications.

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: Where there are no deliveries made against a milk quota during two consecutive milk quota years (1 April to 31 March) the milk quota reverts to the national reserve with effect from the 1 April in the third year. This milk quota can be returned to the successor if they become a producer within two years of the date of reversion. However, due to the length of time that it can take to grant...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–2013 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue. Processing of applications, including that of the person named, is at an advanced stage. I hope to be in a position to release the 75%...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2009. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 22 September, with payments issuing in respect of those cases cleared for payment at that stage. This application was selected for and was the subject of a ground eligibility and full Cross Compliance...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application under the Scheme of Aid for Damaged Fodder was received from the person named on 11th December 2009. Under the Scheme, farmers are required to demonstrate that the fodder was damaged and the extent of that damage and to this end all applications under the scheme will be subject to an inspection. This application was issued for inspection by the Department's local staff on the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Government announcement of 8 July 2008 required that all expenditure by Departments on consultancies, advertising and public relations would be significantly reduced for the remainder of that year and by at least 50% in 2009 compared with 2008. There was no expenditure on public relations in either 2008 or 2009. The expenditure on consultancies and advertising is set out in the table...