Results 13,941-13,960 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Creed would rightly be complaining at Question Time if we did not send a revised rural development plan to Brussels by 15 July. That was to draw down modulated funds and unused funds that had become available to us for the first time. We do not leave one cent in Europe, we draw down every single cent. Our rural development plan consists more of Exchequer funding than European...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: That input was that we would rationalise a number of regional offices throughout the country, cut back on administration and create greater efficiencies to provide a better service for the farmers of the country. We are implementing that. It was one of the major recommendations.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: I agree REPS 4 is a great scheme. It must be remembered it was implemented and is paid for by the Government.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: No, that is not the case. Over 50% of it is paid for by the Exchequer.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 was closed to new applicants in July against the background of the situation in the public finances, the resources available to the Department and the substantial increase in the past year in the number of REPS participants. Almost 17,000 applications were received up to the closing date of 15 May for 2009. Further applications which were received up to the time of closure will be...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: No one's income from REPS has been affected by the decisions announced in July. This relates to 2010 and people exiting the scheme in 2009. The highest level of payment under the scheme will be this year. All Members will have received representations from individual farmers about the thorough, detailed and demanding inspection process to ensure that the applicant meets the scheme's...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The average pay out was €6,200. In the part of the province of Ulster which does not come under our jurisdiction, the average pay out was €1,390 per farmer. Our scheme has been beneficial and, as the Deputy rightly pointed out, it is not just an income support. There are costs to the individual farmer arising from participating in the scheme. There are also benefits for the public...

Beef Exports. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The value of Irish beef exports in 2008 reached almost €1.7 billion and accounted for almost one fifth of total Irish agrifood exports. The beef industry remains very important in our international trade balance, but also to the rural economy as its contribution is widely dispersed. Notwithstanding this, and in common with many other sectors of the economy, beef is experiencing difficult...

Beef Exports. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: Absolutely.

Beef Exports. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: I fully support the export of live cattle but we need a balance between the cattle for slaughter here and the competition from live exports. The number of cattle exported to Britain up to 4 October last represents an increase of 613% over the comparable period in 2008, and the number exported to Northern Ireland represents an increase of 286% a year on. I am aware of the difficulties and...

Beef Exports. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: No, I meet representative groups.

Beef Exports. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: I met farmers and people involved in all the farming organisations who told me that there are buyers in Britain anxious to purchase Irish cattle. We have taken up the various issues raised. Bord Bia and our veterinary services have been in contact with the Chief Veterinary Officer in Britain. Irish exporters encounter two difficulties in Britain, the veterinary issues concerning the...

Beef Exports. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: We conveyed to Meat Industry Ireland, MII, the representative organisation for the producers very clearly the concerns expressed to us by the exporters and farmers.

Beef Exports. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: We have put particular queries to the Chief Veterinary Officer in Britain and await a response. We have been told about the difficulties and have said that we want to work to eliminate them. We are waiting for the Chief Veterinary Officer to reply and tell us if there is anything we need to address.

Dairy Sector. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: The dairy market has been discussed at Council of Ministers meetings every month since March this year. At these meetings, my ministerial colleagues and I have continually pressed the Commission to take all appropriate measures to deal with the situation and this has helped to stabilise the market. The measures taken this year include the restoration of export refunds for dairy products and...

Dairy Sector. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: With regard to Deputy Creed's last point, I do not accept that the dairy investment fund was not worthwhile. It was exceptionally worthwhile and in many instances-----

Dairy Sector. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: It was not frittered away.

Dairy Sector. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: Perhaps Deputy Creed and his colleagues could identify-----

Dairy Sector. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: In response to Deputy Creed's last point, I do not think that any of colleagues up in my constituency would disagree with giving grant aid to Lakeland Dairies for a very substantial and worthwhile investment at their Bailieboro plant.

Dairy Sector. (15 Oct 2009)

Brendan Smith: Lakeland Dairies is not paying the worst price, unfortunately, as there are prices below what it is paying. The investment being put into the Bailieboro plant is very worthwhile and will create greater efficiencies. Greater production and efficiencies go back to the individual primary producer. I was in north Cork, Deputy Creed's county, with Dairygold and I saw very worthwhile investment...