Results 15,861-15,880 of 18,347 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (18 Dec 2008)

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 (18 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department is working closely with An Bord Bia and our embassies abroad to reassure our international customers as to the safety of Irish pork. In the case of our Asian markets our diplomatic representations are in regular contact with the relevant regulatory authorities. I am reassured by the positive consumer response to the information label and nationwide media campaign introduced by...

Written Answers — Animal Feedstuffs: Animal Feedstuffs (18 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department is engaged, in conjunction with a number of other State Agencies, in an ongoing overall review of activities associated with the recent dioxin incident and this review will include the Department's annual feed control programme. I will also be briefing my EU colleagues at this weeks council in Brussels.

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (18 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department has no record of an application under the Early Retirement Scheme by the person named.

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (18 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: All leases for this Department are arranged by the Office of Public Works. The material requested by the Deputy will be included in the reply from the Minister for Finance (ref. Parliamentary Question No. 102).

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (18 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: My officials are currently engaged in discussions with producers and the industry with a view to putting in place the necessary framework to deal with issues relating to the slaughter of pigs that have been exposed to, or are suspected of having been exposed to contaminated animal feed. All pigs that are required to be slaughtered will be slaughtered humanely. To date and apart from a small...

Written Answers — State Laboratories: State Laboratories (18 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The State Laboratory (Dept of Finance) moved to new Laboratory facilities in Backweston in May 2005 and the Laboratory has been fully operational since then. Additional laboratory capability to enhance the capacity of the Laboratory to respond to customer needs is continually being developed. The State Laboratory has now developed an analytical capability to carry out dioxin analysis in...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 562 and 571 together. Since the transfer of fisheries functions to my Department, work has continued on this issue and in May of this year my Department published a Strategy for Improved Pest Control on Irish Salmon Farms. A National Implementation Group with representatives from my Department, BIM, Marine Institute and industry representatives has been...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 and is subject to different EU Regulations from the preceding versions of REPS. Under REPS 4, all payments are to be made in just two instalments. The first payment, of 75%, can be made only when all administrative checks on all 2008 applications for REPS 4 and the Single Payment Scheme are completed. This is why it...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007-13 and is subject to different EU Regulations from the preceding versions of REPS. Under REPS 4, all payments are to be made in just two instalments. The first payment, of 75%, can be made only when all administrative checks on all 2008 applications for REPS 4 and the Single Payment Scheme are completed. This is why it...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Public Participation Directive (PPD) was issued by the European Commission in order to provide members of the public with opportunities to participate on the permitting and ongoing regulation of certain categories of activities within Member States. Such opportunities are provided through access to information, justice, and through consultation on certain key documents. The transposition...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The provision of 100% grants for the establishment costs of afforestation has been a key element of national forestry policy and is considered essential to overcome the traditional reluctance to plant and to recognise the long-term commitment of land to forestry. However, the maximum grant aid available to applicants in Ireland for any afforestation scheme co-funded from EU and Exchequer...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 567 to 569, inclusive, together. I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy. My Department conducted a series of countrywide information meetings for farmers on the introduction of the Single Payment Scheme during the latter half of 2004 and again during 2005. In addition, my Department published two separate booklets on the introduction of...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The total aid available to Ireland under the EFF amounts to €42 million for the period 2007 — 2013. In line with this funding, an Operational Programme for Fisheries in support of the seafood industry has been developed and approved by the EU Commission. Priority has been given to the Decommissioning of Fishing Vessels Scheme for which a total of €32 million has been set aside. A...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The monitoring and control of aquaculture licences is carried out by my Department in consultation with those bodies, BIM and Marine Institute, provided by statute to carry out that function. All relevant licences now granted by my Department include specific obligations on the licensee in regard to Sea Lice Monitoring and Control.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007-13 and is subject to different EU Regulations from the preceding versions of REPS. Under REPS 4, all payments are to be made in just two instalments. The first payment, of 75%, can be made only when all administrative checks on all 2008 applications for REPS 4 and the Single Payment Scheme are completed. This is why it...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: To date in 2008, €364.7 million has been paid by my Department to farmers under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. The 2009 allocation for the Scheme is €125 million. My Department endeavours to ensure that, as far as possible, payments under the Farm Waste Management Scheme are made to farmers in line with the commitments set out in the Charter of Rights for Farmers 2005/2007.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007-13 and is subject to different EU Regulations from the preceding versions of REPS. Under REPS 4, all payments are to be made in just two instalments. The first payment, of 75%, can be made only when all administrative checks on all 2008 applications for REPS 4 and the Single Payment Scheme are completed. This is why it...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The number of Department owned laptops or other data devices, such as Blackberries and memory keys, reported lost or stolen from my Department in 2008 are set out in the following table: Data Device Number Lost/Stolen Laptop 6 Stolen Blackberry 1 Lost Memory Stick 1 Lost When a device, such as a laptop or Blackberry, is reported lost or stolen, access by that device to the Department's...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (17 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 577 and 578 together. While procurement arrangements in place in my Department are not specifically for the sourcing of hotel accommodation, all overnight subsistence rates are paid in line with Finance Circular 11/82. Sourcing of hotel accommodation by Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is, in the first instance, a...