Results 15,741-15,760 of 18,347 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: There are currently a number of initiatives being pursued by Bord Iascaigh Mhara aimed at enhancing the supply chain both at onboard level and in auction centres. BIM is delivering training at its training centres to upgrade skill levels of fishermen. 'Steering a New Course' the National Strategic Plan sets out a number of avenues to support economic and social development of maritime...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: BIM has in place an ongoing programme of grant aiding new onboard technologies. It is also currently carrying out trials on an eco-friendly pelagic fishing net. The aim of such initiatives is to incentivise industry in adopting environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient fishing gear that is species and size selective, minimising the impact of fishing gear on sensitive habitats and...

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

Brendan Smith: Grant funding for the Aquaculture Sector is provided for under the NDP 2007-2013 Operational Programme which is being finalised at present. In 2009 €5 million has been allocated under the Aquaculture Development Measure in the Operational Programme. Since June 2007, total investment in Aquaculture amounted to some €20 million (of which €9.6m is grant aid) in 133 projects. Of these,...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Significant progress has been made over the last number of years towards developing Ireland's reputation as a centre of excellence for marine research. Sea Change, A Marine Knowledge, Research & Innovation Strategy for Ireland 2007-2013, was launched by Government in February 2007. Sea Change aims to drive the development of Ireland's marine sector as a dynamic element of our knowledge...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: In association with national agencies (EI, SFI, IDA) and academic centres, and in partnership with a number of international centres, the Marine Institute is leading the development of a National Marine Biodiscovery Programme. This Programme, funded by a €7.3 million grant from the Beaufort Marine Research Awards Scheme, is designed to identify and develop uses for novel compounds isolated...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Four offshore sites have been designated at EU level as Marine Special Areas of Conservation. A number of sites have also been designated in inshore waters. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is working with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, and the Marine Institute to introduce arrangements that will allow for appropriate...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: All fishing vessels on the Irish Sea Fishing Boat Register, and indeed all EU-registered sea fishing boats, are subject to regulation of their activities under the provisions of the Common Fisheries Policy, wherever in the world they are fishing and whether they are within the territorial waters of a third country or on the high seas. With the adoption of the Council Conclusions of July...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) monitors cetacean by-catches in fisheries. The programme targets, in particular, fisheries where problems with cetacean by-catches are perceived to exist — such as gillnet fisheries and the pair fishery for albacore tuna — although all relevant fisheries are being monitored. Ireland supplies observer data to the European Commission on an annual basis as required...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: BIM continues to encourage and support Irish seafood companies producing high value branded seafood in developing and accessing export markets including: Detailed market intelligence reports to provide focus and competitive advantage for Irish companies. Business Development. This provides a range of company mentoring and development services. During 2008 Business Development co-funded 29...

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Ireland was at the forefront of the EU debate on the introduction of electronic logbooks for larger fishing vessels. New rules were agreed that will apply from 1/1/2010 and will give real time access to coastal states such as Ireland to fishing records of vessels in its 200 mile zone. The Department has, in conjunction with the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, the Department of Defence and...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: A system of Electronic Sales Notes is in operation for all landings by Irish vessels or non-Irish vessels into Ireland. This system is administered by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. Ireland has advocated, at EU level, for other member states to also introduce similar electronic systems. In this regard Commission Regulation (EC) No 1077/2008, which was adopted on the 3rd November...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: At end December 2008 there were 4,162 full time equivalent (FTE) civil servants employed in my Department. The work of the Department is divided into 5 main Programme areas — the staff breakdown of which is given in the following table: Functional Area FTE 1. Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Policy, Trade and Development 272 2. Food, Animal, Plant Safety and Welfare and Consumer...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: There are eleven separate bodies which come under the auspices of my Department and these are listed in the attached table together with the number of formal meetings held between the Division within the Department with responsibility for that Body and the Body itself between 2007 and 2008 In addition, given the wide range of responsibilities and the diversity of the functions performed by...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Following the very positive experience with Agri-Food 2010 and Agri-Vision 2015, I believe that a new development plan for the sector will be required for the period to 2020. Such a plan will need to focus on the opportunities arising, in particular, from growing international food and energy crop markets, and the challenges from the global economic downturn, currency fluctuations, climate...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1281 to 1283, inclusive, and 1285 together. My Department makes a quarterly return to the Department of Finance regarding the deployment of staff under the decentralisation programme and the most recent returns for Portlaoise and Clonakilty are as follows at Appendix A. In the Department's original Decentralisation Implementation Plan, it was estimated that...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The members of the Management Committee of my Department engage with their heads of Divisions on an almost daily basis. These contacts can range from formally structured meetings on specific business matters through to informal one-to-one discussions on emerging issues relevant to their areas of responsibility.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Department is divided into five main programme areas and the total number of staff working in the area of food, animal, plant safety and welfare and consumer protection amounts to 1898 (full time equivalent). My Department operates under a service contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. The sectors included in the contract are: Meat hygiene Milk and Milk Products Eggs and...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Jan 2009)

Brendan Smith: Within the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, a strong emphasis is placed on the provision of "on- the-job" training and mentoring of staff involved in areas dealing with EU matters. This method ensures the appropriate levels of knowledge transfer to staff in developing their understanding of EU Institutions and Schemes and frames their understanding of their role in any...

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

Brendan Smith: The aquaculture sites, cited by the person in question were the subject of a Trial Licence issued by my Department in January 2005, for the cultivation of cod for a period of three years. This Trial Licence was issued on the basis that at no time during the period of the trial licence would salmon be stocked at any one of the sites. In view of this the matter of revocation of the salmon...

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

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1289 and 1296 together. In accordance with EU legislation, my Department's National Feed Inspection Programme is part of the overall Integrated Multi-Annual Control Plan for Ireland. This Plan involves food and feed, and details must be submitted to the EU Commission. The Food and Veterinary Office of the EU Commission audits the Plan. The EU Regulation...