Results 14,501-14,520 of 18,341 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Sheep Sector: Sheep Sector (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: I believe that the report of the Sheep Industry Strategy Development Group sets out a proper framework for the future development of the sheep sector. While most of the group's recommendations need to be implemented by the industry itself, a number of them fall within the remit of my Department and the state agencies under my aegis and good progress has been made on them. 'Sheep Ireland' has...

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

Brendan Smith: My Department is responsible for the operation of EU controls on imports of products of animal origin and fresh fruit and vegetables under its service contract with the FSAI and in compliance with Community rules for the hygiene of food and feed. The EU rules stipulate that food products of animal origin imported from an EU source must be from approved food business establishments and be...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The number of applications under the Early Retirement Scheme currently being processed by my Department is 68. These were all received before 14 October 2008. A total of 280 applications have been approved in the past 12 months. My Department received approximately 60 applications for the Early Retirement Scheme after 14 October 2008. These applications could not be accepted for processing as...

Written Answers — Forestry Planting Programme: Forestry Planting Programme (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: All tree species grant-aided by my Department under the forestry grant schemes achieve high levels of carbon-sequestration. The potential of different tree species to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere depends mainly on their rate of growth. Some conifer species grow rapidly and will begin to sequester considerable amounts of carbon early in their life. Other species, including...

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

Brendan Smith: Since taking up the Agriculture Fisheries and Food portfolio in June 2008, it has been highlighted to me very forcefully by the Federation of Irish Fishermen that it is essential to have in place a level playing field on control across the EU. The EU Commission estimates that 88% of EU stocks are over-exploited and Scientists have recommended closure of 19% of fisheries. These are...

Written Answers — Farming Statistics: Farming Statistics (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The most recent figures available from the Central Statistics Office are for the year 2007 and these show that there were 67,177 farmers whose sole occupation was farming or 52% of the total, this compares with a figure of 87,500 for 1997. Over this period the number of farmers with another either major or subsidiary occupation rose from 56,200 to 60,923. The trend in recent years has been...

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

Brendan Smith: Irish dairy products are exported to other EU Member States and to over 100 countries worldwide. The amount of exports to any particular destination varies in accordance with changes in the supply/demand dynamics in particular regions of the world and in respect of the various dairy products involved. In overall terms, Ireland's dairy exports amounted to €2.2 billion in 2008. The UK...

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

Brendan Smith: The value of Irish meat and livestock exports reached almost €2.6 billion in 2008, some two per cent ahead of 2007 levels. Within the overall food and drinks sector, meat is extremely important, with exports accounting for just over 30% of total agri-food exports of over €8 billion. Beef In 2008 Irish beef exports totalling 486,000 tonnes, were sent to 21 markets within the Continent of...

Written Answers — Cereals Sector: Cereals Sector (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The maintenance of an efficient and viable cereals sector in Ireland is clearly of the utmost importance. In addition to generating an income for our tillage farmers, it is a key source of feedingstuffs for the livestock sector. Annual cereals production in Ireland has fluctuated around 2 million tonnes in recent years. It is desirable to try to sustain this level of production in order to...

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

Brendan Smith: The main aspects of the deal that are of interest to Ireland are as follows: Milk quotas will be increased by 1% per annum for each of the next five years (2009-2013). In addition an adjustment in the butterfat reference will mean the equivalent of an extra 2% in milk quota for Ireland in 2009. Two reviews of the market situation are planned, by December 2010 and by December 2012. Due to...

Written Answers — Bio-Energy Crops: Bio-Energy Crops (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: There has been contact with the European Commission at Ministerial and official level in relation to support for energy crop cultivation. Under the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), farmers who cultivate energy crops can benefit from the Single Farm Payment and the EU Energy Crops Scheme, which pays farmers a premium worth €45 per hectare. My Department has supported participation in the...

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

Brendan Smith: All such products are expected to be compliant with the specified EU Regulations. In general, responsibility for enforcement of labelling legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) through its service contracts with my Department, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Health Services Executive, the Local Authorities and the National Consumer Agency. My...

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

Brendan Smith: The following is the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the main schemes operated by my Department. Single Payment and Disadvantaged Areas Schemes In respect of both the Single Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, full payments have issued to all Scheme applicants, other than those subject to appeal or outstanding query. A small number of payments are also...

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

Brendan Smith: The AgriVision Action Plan was the Government's response to the seminal Report of the AgriVision 2015 Committee on what needed to be done to secure the optimal development of the agriculture and food industries. It contained 167 actions based on three key drivers for success, i.e. competitiveness, innovation and consumer focus. Substantial progress has been made to date with 98% of its...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (19 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department is currently processing four foreshore applications for foreshore consents in respect of the proposed Shannon LNG project at Tarbert, Co Kerry. The applications have been made for: • Licence to facilitate construction of a drainage outfall pipe into the Shannon Estuary from the proposed construction of an LNG terminal near Ballylongford and Tarbert, Co Kerry • Lease to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The initial application received on the 15 May 2008 requested the transfer of 33.41 Single Payment entitlements under the 2008 scheme year from the first person named to his son by way of gift. This application was fully processed and payment for the 2008 scheme year issued in full. The first person named subsequently submitted an application on the 6 February 2009 requesting that the above...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 May 2009)

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

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. My Department is processing the application concerned and a decision will be made as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (19 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 390 together. My Department is currently reviewing its local office structure. No decisions have been taken regarding the future of any local office, other than the Dublin local office, already announced.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned was an applicant for grant-aid under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. On completion of the works concerned, grant-aid was calculated in accordance with my Department's Standard Costings. Under the terms of the Scheme, grant-aid is calculated on the basis of my Department's Standard Costs or on the total of the eligible receipts/invoices submitted by the applicant,...