Results 14,421-14,440 of 18,341 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive is the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Minister has established seven River Basin District Projects whose responsibilities include the development of management plans for each River Basin District, designed to achieve the water quality objectives required by the Water Framework...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: There are currently a total of 372 inspectors involved in farm inspections in relation to schemes operated by my Department. My Department's Management Services Division is engaged in a number of reviews related to staff currently involved in the inspection of farms. The number of inspectors involved in such work will continue to be examined in the light of these reviews.

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Common Agriculture Policy of the EU provides a range of measures that can be utilised to assist the European dairy market. Those measures have been modified over recent years, in the Mid Term Review of the CAP in 2003 and in the Health Check last year. In those negotiations I argued strongly in favour of keeping the critical market instruments in place and of using them effectively....

Written Answers — Sheep Identification Scheme: Sheep Identification Scheme (20 May 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 definitively set for 31 December 2009. I am of the view that the introduction...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 62. The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. I have also announced that a special ex-gratia payment not...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: As part of the final agreement on the Health Check of the CAP which was adopted earlier this year, Member States may utilise unspent Single Farm Payment (CAP) funds targeted at specific sectors to address economic disadvantages affecting farmers. I was instrumental in securing this agreement and in addition I successfully negotiated for the use of the National Reserve element of these funds...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: In the administration of REPS applications my Department, as an accredited paying agency, must respect the requirements of the governing EU Regulations. My Department must therefore ensure that the scheme eligibility conditions are complied with in all cases. Applications are subjected to checks to confirm this and my Department has no option but to reject those which do not meet essential...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The current position in regard to the WTO negotiations is that talks are stalled following the failure to reach agreement at the Ministerial meeting last July and the decision to defer indefinitely a second Ministerial meeting planned for last December. The G20 meeting in April provided no new momentum for the negotiations and nor did it set a date for a conclusion of the talks this year....

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The EU Commission published in April 2009 the document "Building a Sustainable Future for Aquaculture" in a Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and Council. The strategy was published following consultations with stakeholders including the representative organisation for aquaculture in Ireland, IFA Aquaculture. EU Commissioner Borg presented the new EU Strategy...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: In the administration of REPS applications my Department, as an accredited paying agency, must respect the requirements of the governing EU Regulations. My Department must therefore ensure that the scheme eligibility conditions are complied with in all cases. Applications are subjected to checks to confirm this and my Department has no option but to reject those which do not meet essential...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Maintaining an active afforestation programme was an important consideration in deciding how to make the most effective use of limited resources following the supplementary budget on April 7. New planting is a key element of the Government's overall strategy for forestry and I ensured that the funding for 5,500 hectares of new afforestation in 2009 has been maintained. I am confident that...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Maintaining an active afforestation programme is an important step in sustaining the forestry sector and all its related employment. Following the budget of April 7, funding for 5,500 hectares of new forestry planting in 2009 has been retained. I am confident that this level of planting will be achieved in 2009 given the continued availability of grants to cover establishment costs....

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The main agriculture priorities of the Czech Presidency are to continue discussions on simplification of the CAP and on the future of the CAP with a particular focus on the system of direct payments and differences between Member States. As regards the CAP simplification dossier, I and my officials have participated actively in a series of discussions among a group of Member States to produce...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The withdrawal of the 17% increase in REPS 4 rates of payments was a necessary response to the pressures on the public finances and the number of applications for REPS 4 expected by the closing date of 15 May. The undertakings in the REPS 4 Scheme have been agreed with the European Commission and any changes to such undertakings can be introduced only with the approval of the Commission. I...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: A proportion of REPS 4 applications were found be deficient and were subject to a reduction in their first-year payments in the range of 1% to 5%. The recording of these penalties required additional computer programming which took some time; therefore not all have yet been recorded and the exact number and monetary amount involved cannot be provided at this stage.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Maintaining an active afforestation programme was an important consideration in deciding how to make the most effective use of limited resources following the supplementary budget on April 7. New planting is a key element of the Government's overall strategy for forestry and funding for 5,500 hectares of new planting in 2009 has been preserved. I am confident that this level of planting...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 103 and 110 together. The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. I have also announced that a special ex-gratia...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Following the supplementary budget on 7 April, an 8% reduction was applied to forestry premiums. This reduction applies to all premiums for 2009 onwards; it does not apply to any premiums in respect of the years prior to 2009. The forestry premiums are paid annually in late March or early April. Issues relating to the implementation of the reduction had to be addressed before payment was made...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Given the pressures on the public finances and the level of up-take of REPS 4, I decided that it was necessary to reverse the 17% increase in REPS 4 payments and this reduction applies to REPS 4 payments in respect of 2009. The closing date for REPS applications for 2009 has now passed. When the number of applications has been determined, I will be in a position to assess what level of...

Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: A contingency plan for the control of bluetongue disease has been drawn up, as required under EU legislation. Operational details in the plan include the drawing of control, protection and surveillance zones around the infected holding, with associated movement restrictions within and between these zones, the confining of animals indoors, the control and eradication of the vector by use of...