Results 13,821-13,840 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The introduction of electronic identification (EID) for sheep was agreed at EU level in late 2003. At that time, it was agreed to defer the implementation date until January 2008. The Council revisited this issue in December 2007 when it was agreed that the deadline for the compulsory introduction of EID should be set for 31 December 2009, 6 years after the original decision was taken. My...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department manages a large property portfolio in the six Fishery Harbour Centres. All funds generated by leasing of property are allocated directly to the Fishery Harbour Centre (FHC) Fund. The FHC Fund was established under the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 and is used for the operation and development of the harbours. There is an obligation therefore on me to ensure that the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Nov 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 the application from the person named, has commenced to facilitate the release of payments at the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: On 1 May 2009 there were 151 officials at Principal Officer level or higher working in my Department. Two of these officials are 60% and 40% work sharers.

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The pier at Brandon is the property of Kerry County Council and responsibility for its repair and upkeep rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. Kerry County Council did not submit any application for funding in respect of the pier at Brandon under the 2009 Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Any application by Kerry County Council for funding...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The pier at Scraggane is the property of Kerry County Council and responsibility for its repair and upkeep rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. Kerry County Council did not submit any application for funding in respect of Scraggane Pier under the 2009 Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Any application by Kerry County Council for funding under...

Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was closed to new applicants on 14 October 2008 and I have no immediate plans to reopen entry to the Scheme at this time. I have, however, made provision of €9.75 million in 2009 to meet the existing commitments under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and the preceding equivalent schemes.

Written Answers — Animal Welfare Bodies: Animal Welfare Bodies (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application for ex-gratia funding has been received from the organisation in question. Provision of ex-gratia assistance this year is subject to the availability of funds and the application will be considered in this context and having regard to competing claims for financial assistance submitted by other animal welfare bodies.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department has paid the person named in full for his previous participation in REPS 1 and REPS 2. His current application for participation in REPS 4 is being processed, but under EU rules no payment can made on any application until all applications have undergone a detailed administrative check, including a plan check. Processing of all applications to facilitate the release of payments...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: At the Agriculture Council on 19th October Commissioner Fischer Boel announced that she would propose to make available an additional €280 million from the 2010 budget to help the dairy sector, as an exceptional measure. This would be possible under the new Article 186 powers which are expected to be agreed at the Agriculture Council on 19th November. The proposed additional funding of...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: I understand that, and as confirmed by the applicant's forestry company, the relevant provenance certification has not in fact been lodged in my Department. The forestry company concerned expects to be in a position to submit the documentation within a week and provided the documentation is in order payment will be made within a further two weeks.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 6 May 2009. A ground inspection was conducted on 18 August, following issues raised via a satellite inspection of the area declared. This ground inspection confirmed the issues highlighted via satellite i.e. while the person named declared an area of 29.41 hectares, the inspection established an area of...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The payment due to the person named under the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued on 20 October, while the 70% advance payment under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme issued on 19 October 2009. Both payments issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (10 Nov 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 has commenced to facilitate the release of payments at the earliest possible date before year-end. REPS 3...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: A meeting took place between Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and my Department on 16 June 2009 to discuss lands which are of strategic importance to the proposed deep water harbour at Ros an Mhíl. Údarás na Gaeltachta undertook to revert to my Department following consideration of the issues. A revised planning application for a deep water...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), an independent authority, was established under Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 on January 1st 2007. The total budget of pay, non-pay and capital for 2009 is €12.026m while the current total number of people working for SFPA is 103. The principal functions of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority are— to secure efficient...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application was received from the person named on the 3rd May 2007 requesting the transfer of 15.37 single Payment Scheme entitlements by way of Inheritance, from another farmer under the 2007 scheme year. As the person named was not assigned ownership of a herd number until 4th November 2009 it was not possible to proceed with the requested transfer. In addition, my Department has...

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: I set out below the number of farmers involved in pig production on a county by county basis. The Government is conscious of the difficulties different sectors of the economy has in obtaining credit. It has taken a number of measures including the Guarantee Scheme, the recapitalisation of AIB and Bank of Ireland and the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank to ensure that the banks are in a...

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: A Development Strategy for the pig sector was drawn up by Teagasc following consultations with a broad range of stakeholders. This document contains a comprehensive summary of the issues facing the Irish pig sector and proposes measures that need to be taken to position it for a successful future. Compliance with environmental protection legislation, increasing production efficiencies, pig...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Following the incident at the named premises investigations were initiated by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, an Garda Síochána and an Inter Agency Review Group which I set up under the Chairmanship of Dr. Patrick Wall. The investigation by the Joint Oireachtas Committee has been completed and a Report and Recommendations were published last May. The...