Results 15,661-15,680 of 18,347 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (28 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The development of sustainable energy initiatives in Ireland is first and foremost a matter for the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources who have overall responsibility for energy policy. The initiatives undertaken by my Department complement the measures introduced by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and are primarily to encourage farmers...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: In 2008, the total cost of printing reports by my Department, including the cost of design work prior to printing, was €338,524.89. This figure is inclusive of €22,577.05 for the design and printing of annual reports including the Department's Annual Statistical Report. The amount spent by my Department on posting reports to schools etc. cannot be separated from the overall cost of...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licensing: Aquaculture Licensing (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The first person mentioned by the Deputy represents Lough Swilly Shellfish Growers CoOp Society Ltd. which has applied for renewal of its aquaculture licence in Lough Swilly. This application is under consideration having regard to a number of factors including objections from other aquaculture interests in Lough Swilly. The objectors include the second person mentioned by the Deputy, who...

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The term contingent liability used in the context of the eligibility of products the subject of the Pigmeat Recall Scheme, referred to any pigmeat product other than eligible product directly provided for in the Scheme that might be assisted at the Department's sole discretion where it regards it as justifiable to do so having regard to all the circumstances and in particular to the...

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1160 and 1163 together. The amount of €180 million represents a facility rather than a target amount. The facility made available by the Government for the purpose of the Product Recall Scheme will be available to primary and secondary processors that comply with the eligibility conditions of the scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to provide assistance in...

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Irish Association of Pigmeat Processors was represented at the negotiations by a number of its members at chief executive and other senior executive levels and they represented both primary and secondary processors. IBEC was also represented.

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: In very detailed and complex negotiations, conducted over a period of three days, processors presented information on the volume and value of product in storage and product already consigned to markets, at home and internationally that was manufactured from animals slaughtered in Ireland in the period 1st September 2008 to 6th December 2008. Certain assumptions were made on the extent to...

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department has paid €36million in December and further payments will be made in the light of conditions set down by my Department. While the facility agreed with pig processors does not cover workers directly, a primary objective of the agreement was to secure the return to full scale processing as quickly as possible thereby securing the jobs of workers in the processing sector and the...

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The facility agreed with pig processors as part of securing the return to full scale processing was aimed at putting Irish pork and bacon products back into the domestic and international markets as quickly as possible and to secure the jobs of workers in the processing sector and the livelihoods of pig producers. The facility will provide assistance to processors for eligible product...

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Bord Bia plans a number of relevant marketing and promotion initiatives. On the Irish market a series of promotional campaigns are planned. These will commence in February and will focus on building awareness and loyalty to the Bord Bia Quality Mark. These will underline the quality of Irish pigmeat and will communicate its origin. A customer reassurance programme will be carried out in...

Written Answers — Animal Feedstuffs: Animal Feedstuffs (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Following the recent dioxin contamination incident, my Department's National Feed Inspection Programme has been reviewed. The risk assessment for the Programme for 2009 will take cognisance of the experience of the dioxin contamination, and accordingly, the risk associated with drying of feed and grain will be reassessed as appropriate. The risk reassessment will give rise to an increase...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 includes a supplementary measure, operated by the Heritage Council on behalf of my Department, which provides grant aid for the restoration of traditional farm buildings. There are no plans to increase the payment rate for this supplementary measure.

Written Answers — Special Protection Areas: Special Protection Areas (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Last year my Department was notified by the EU Commission of a complaint regarding alleged damage to the Natura 2000 site in Lough Swilly. My Department investigated the complaint and concluded that the activity in question was a legitimate use of a licensed aquaculture site by the licence holder. My Department's response was communicated to the EU Commission and the complainant.

Written Answers — Special Protection Areas: Special Protection Areas (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) is included in Annex IV of Council Regulation (EC) 708/2007 concerning use of alien and locally absent species in aquaculture. Article 2(5) of the Regulation specifically exempts those species listed in Annex IV from the provisions of the Regulation, with the exceptions of articles 3 and 4. Article 4 requires Member States to ensure that all...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1171 to 1173, inclusive, 1177, 1179, 1180 and 1182 together The piers at Kilcummin, Rinroe, Tallaghan, Murrisk, Frenchport, Belmullett, and Dooagh are owned by Mayo County Council and responsibility for their maintenance and development is a matter for the Local Authority in the first instance. My Department did however recently receive applications for...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1174 to 1176, inclusive, 1178, 1181, 1183 and 1184 together The piers at Bunnacurry, Old Head, Kildavnet, Inishgort, Bellacreagher, Corraun/Sweeneys Pier, and Inishlyre are all owned by Mayo County Council and responsibility for their upgrade and maintenance rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. In late 2008, all coastal Local Authorities were...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Following confirmation by the Valuation Office that it would not be in a position to supply a valuation service in respect of activities on State foreshore, my Department sought approval from the Department of Finance for the use of valuers from the private sector. A number of applications for foreshore consents currently on hand cannot be progressed without valuation. The urgency of the...

Written Answers — Programmes for Government: Programmes for Government (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1186 and 1191 together. The State's role is to facilitate a climate that will help to maintain a core of competitive, full-time farmers, while at the same time providing an economic environment which enables smaller scale producers to avail of both on and off-farm opportunities to secure their future. The various measures under the AgriVision 2015 Action Plan,...

Written Answers — Programmes for Government: Programmes for Government (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1187 and 1239 to 1241, inclusive, together. In line with the Programme for Government, my Department is actively engaged both nationally and with the Commission and like-minded Member States to pursue the simplification agenda on an ongoing basis and, in particular, to bring about a rationalisation of the cross-compliance arrangements and to streamline the...

Written Answers — Programmes for Government: Programmes for Government (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Over the past few years, funding of between €25.3million and €27.7 million has been provided annually to Bord Bia to allow them maintain and increase access to new markets and implement a wide range of successful market development and promotional strategies for the food sector. Particular emphasis has also been given to promoting research and development and €641 million was committed...