Results 15,621-15,640 of 18,347 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (29 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The agreement concluded with pigmeat processors in December involved making available a facility of €180 million from the public finances to assist processors in funding the recall and destruction of certain pork products from the market and products in storage. The details of the scheme have been published on my Department's website and final payments will be effected without delay once...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (29 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Minister for Health and Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Under the general labelling Directive (2000/13/EC), the place of origin of the foodstuff must be given only if its absence might mislead the consumer to a material degree. The European Commission is currently undertaking a major review of all food labelling legislation. In this...

Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (29 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: I have no plans at present to reopen the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme to new applications having regard to the general budgetary situation.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (29 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Entry to REPS 4 continues to be available to eligible applicants and I have no plans at present to restrict or close entry to the scheme.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The processing of grant applications is an operational matter for Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and, under the Sea Fisheries Act 1952, I have no remit as to the operational aspects of its work programme.

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: As we are aware, there has been a significant deterioration in economic conditions, and especially in the public finances in the past twelve months. This deterioration in economic conditions has had a significant impact on the economy. The economy contracted in 2008 and will continue to do so this year. A major factor weighing on activity is the correction in the property sector and this...

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: That means providing the country with the appropriate leadership, which was the case at that time and is the case now. That agreement laid the foundation stone for a dramatic improvement in the quality of Ireland's economic and social life.

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Labour Party disagreed in 1987. Deputy Shortall's party left Government and left the country in an appalling state in 1987. The Labour Party ran out of the Cabinet in 1987.

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: That agreement laid the foundation stone for a dramatic improvement in the quality of Ireland's economic and social life. It was not easy and involved a huge level of sacrifice by all. It took a considerable period of time to make a difference, but in the current climate it represents an example of what can be achieved working together, in partnership, for the good of the country.

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy's only contribution is that everything is hypocrisy.

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: I do not come before the House to listen to codswallop from Deputy Shortall, which is all I have ever heard from her over the years. That is her only contribution.

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: I believe that the agriculture, food and fishery sectors can play a crucial role in the revitalisation of our economy. The agri-food sector is our pre-eminent indigenous manufacturing sector. It is strongly export oriented, with exports amounting to more than €8 billion, and has a very low import content in its inputs. It is also labour intensive. This is precisely the type of industry...

The Economy: Statements (Resumed) (29 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The completion of the negotiations on the CAP health check late last year was an important development for the sector. My main aims in the negotiations were to achieve an increase in milk quotas while maintaining the market management mechanisms in the milk sector and to gain access to unspent single payment funds. I was happy to have succeeded in achieving those aims, while at the same time...

Farm Waste Management. (28 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The farm waste management scheme is the most successful on-farm investment scheme in the history of the State. It will see over €2 billion invested by both farmers and the Irish taxpayer in providing essential on-farm infrastructure and represents a long-term investment in improving the productive capacity of the most important indigenous sector in the economy. The scheme represents an...

Farm Waste Management. (28 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: I referred to the fact that my constituency colleague, Deputy Crawford, was right when he referred to the price and the demands on commodity prices. I state the facts——

Farm Waste Management. (28 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Connaughton's intervention is not much use. Can I refer to a constructive contribution that my constituency colleague made?

Farm Waste Management. (28 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: When the Deputy was a Minister of State, there were not too many on-farm investment schemes in his day in Agriculture House.

Farm Waste Management. (28 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: They were not allowed in the first place. While market conditions are difficult at the moment, the global demand for meat and milk is forecast to double over the next 40 years and Irish agriculture, and the agrifood sector which is built on it, with the benefit of the investment under the farm waste management scheme, will be well positioned to take advantage of these trends. As Deputies will...

Farm Waste Management. (28 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: I am currently discussing the funding arrangements with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and I expect that a determination on those arrangements will be made shortly. As the Taoiseach said last night, "the Government's aim is to ensure that funding is available to meet claims for properly completed and validated work under the scheme." In the short intervening period, payments...

Farm Waste Management. (28 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Hayes does not like to hear the facts. Similarly, any individual who did not meet the cross-compliance criteria would be in danger of losing his or her single payment, which is now a very important part of farming income. That scheme has enabled farmers to ensure they are in a position to meet the criteria for the single payment scheme and, from that point of view, it is extremely...