Results 13,721-13,740 of 18,341 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Turbary Rights: Turbary Rights (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: I have communicated with the Deputy on a number of occasions giving him updates regarding this matter. The underlying problem is that the operation of the scheme to allot the turbary rights can not be completed until my Legal Officer resolves the issue of the surrender and severance of an appurtenant right of turbary by one of the other persons recommended for turbary on the disposal scheme....

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department does not have a function in relation to regulations amending tariff nomenclature at EU or International level. I would of course welcome any development which could preclude the use of substantial transformation as a device to mislead consumers.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Following a comprehensive review of the Forestry Act, 1946, the Heads of the new Forestry Bill were approved by Government. The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel has commenced drafting the new Bill. It is intended to take a more flexible approach regarding the question of replanting after clear-felling by giving the Minister the power to waive the replanting obligation in certain limited...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Quota buying-up schemes are provided for under Article 75 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1234/2007, which states that Member States may, in the interests of restructuring or of improving the environment, buy back quota from producers who wish to permanently exit milk production, and either leave such quota in the national reserve or sell it on to other producers at the same price. The...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: As the Deputy will be aware, a moratorium is in place in relation to promotion and recruitment in the public sector and it is against this background that the commitment to recruit 1,000 third and fourth level graduates to provide additional capacity and skills across the public service must be considered. My Department is currently in discussions with the Department of Finance on the filling...

Written Answers — Rural Development Programme: Rural Development Programme (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: I am actively pursuing approval by the European Commission of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) and this process is ongoing at the present time. While the internal process in the Commission is somewhat complex I expect that they will be in a position to approve the Programme before the end of the year. Axis 3 of the RDP, which deals with the wider rural economy, includes particular...

Written Answers — Forestry Industry: Forestry Industry (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Under the new Programme for Government I am committed to reviewing state forestry policy to take account of its critical role in relation to climate change and its importance to construction, bio-energy, bio-diversity and its potential to deliver long-term employment in other downstream industries. I intend to begin this work as soon as possible. I am examining the allocation of resources...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: My officials are currently dealing with queries relating to this file and will be in touch with the person named shortly.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 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. The same rule applies both to new applications received in 2009 and to applications for second-year payments from those who joined in 2008....

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: My officials are currently dealing with queries relating to this file and will be in touch with the person named shortly.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The on-line facility for the preparation of REPS plans, eREPS, has up to now been managed on my Department's behalf by Teagasc and hosting and development work were contracted to Bizmaps, a software company in the private sector. A total of €1,627,407 has been paid to Bizmaps from 2006 to date for this service; €1,062,113 was paid directly to Bizmaps by my Department and €565,294 to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant under the Installation Aid Scheme. The application is still under consideration within my Department and payment will issue when it has been determined that the property, education and income requirements of the Scheme have been met. A decision will be taken in regard to the application as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application was received on 14 May 2009 requesting the transfer of 146.07 Single Payment Scheme entitlements from the joint names of the person named and two other farmers into the sole name of the person named. It was necessary to request certain additional signatures as well as a Dissolution of Partnership agreement. These details were received on the 8 October 2009 and the requested...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application for afforestation grant aid for the person in question is currently being processed by my Department. I understand documentation in relation to provenance certification has been requested from the applicant.

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The National Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-2013 draft was advertised for public consultation in October 2008 as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment. During the consultation both the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on behalf of the Central Fisheries Board raised concerns...

Written Answers — Horticulture Sector: Horticulture Sector (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The table estimates the number of commercial producers of edible horticultural products between 1999 and 2009 where data are available. Estimate of the Number of Commercial Producers of Edible Horticultural Products (1) Year Field Vegetables (2) Potatoes(4) Apples (3) Mushrooms(5) Protected Food crops (2) Protected soft fruit. (2) Soft Fruit(outdoor) (2) 1999 377 1046* 87 145 2000...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Sell-by dates are not provided for under the EU's Hygiene of Food and Feed Regulations and may be a feature of labelling used by stockists or distribution chains. Date of Minimum Durability or use by date is defined under the labelling Directive No. 2000/13/EC and would be relevant to the Department of Health & Children and controls carried out by the HSE. It is required for foods, which...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation Directive (2000/13/EC). Responsibility for the enforcement of this legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (F.S.A.I.). This is done through service contracts with other relevant agencies, including the Health Service Executive, the Local Authority Veterinary Service...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. Applications received under this Scheme are being processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: As outlined in the previous reply to the Deputy, applications were received on 31 March 2009 requesting the transfer of Single Payment entitlements under the 2008 scheme year from the joint names of the person named and his brother into their individual names. Clarification was sought regarding the number of entitlements to be transferred to each brother and a reply was received on 30 June...