Results 16,081-16,100 of 18,347 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Horticulture Sector: Horticulture Sector (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The horticulture and nursery sector contributed approximately €282 million to farm output in 2007. The sector has considerable potential for further development but is experiencing strong competitive pressures, particularly from the highly concentrated retail chain and from imports. In March 2007 Bord Bia published the Strategic Review of the Horticulture Industry which identified the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The net financial ceiling under the 2008 Single Payment Scheme is €1.274 billion, net of 5% Modulation, while the budgetary figure for the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (DAS) is €257 million, which also includes provision for residue payments from previous years. Although a total of 133,046 applications were received under the 2008 Schemes, these represent a maximum payable of approximately...

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 105 together. In February this year acting on a central recommendation from the Cawley report and following State Aid approval by the European Commission, a scheme to permanently withdraw capacity from the whitefish sector of the Irish fishing fleet was launched. To date 57 vessels have been approved and offered decommissioning grants. 45 vessels have...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 110 and 133 together. I have been actively pursuing this important matter at both Council and European Commission level. The Irish submission was the subject of a lengthy bilateral meeting at official level with the Commission on 30 September. At that meeting it was made clear that the submission cannot be implemented unless the Commission secures and...

Written Answers — Food Processing Inspections: Food Processing Inspections (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department, through its Veterinary Inspectorate, is responsible for the supervision of 165 large meat processing plants, including 10 poultry processing plants, which are approved under the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2005. The Department employs Veterinary Inspectors and technical staff, and engages Temporary Veterinary Inspectors on a contract for service...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: My approach in preparing the 2009 Estimates for my Department was to focus available resources on the measures which support the maintenance and growth of the productive capacity of the agri-food sector. The 2009 Estimates provide over €1.8 billion for my Department, and, when combined with EU funding of €1.4 billion, means that total expenditure in 2009 by my Department will amount to...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: In the'Towards 2016' Partnership Agreement, a commitment was made to provide funding of €250 million over the five years 2008 to 2012, in support of a suckler scheme. This commitment is being honoured. Based on the very significant level of participation, the cost of the scheme, at a rate of €80 per cow, will be some €77 million for 2008, of which €33 million has been allocated in my...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: Following historically high dairy product prices last year and into the early part of 2008, dairy exporters are now facing difficulties as markets have contracted and prices have returned to 2006 levels, with butter prices currently below intervention level. In view of the current volatility in dairy markets, I contacted EU Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel in early November to activate...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: There are no proposals to introduce an additional annual payment for farmers who have planted broadleaf forests. My Department already provides very generous annual premium payments to farmers who plant broadleaf forests, under the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme. These premiums are paid for 20 years and range from €508 to €573 per hectare per annum. Furthermore, farmers who...

Written Answers — World Trade Organisation Negotiations: World Trade Organisation Negotiations (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: As the Deputy will be aware, no WTO agreement was reached at the July Ministerial meeting, despite exhaustive discussions over nine days. As of today, the Director General, Mr Lamy has not announced a new Ministerial meeting although there is speculation that one will take place before the end of the year. However, even if a ministerial meeting is called, it is not certain that there will be...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The current Forestry Act has been in place since 1946 and a new Forestry Bill is now required to update and consolidate the current regulatory regime in the light of modern forestry knowledge and practice. A comprehensive review of the 1946 Act has been completed and the draft Scheme of a new Forestry Bill has been prepared. This draft Scheme will be submitted to the Government and will...

Written Answers — Officials Engagements: Officials Engagements (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: Following is the statement: Month Date Country December 04/12/08 London, UK Bord Bia Trade Reception 18/12/08 Brussels, Belgium Council of Ministers January 19/01/09 Brussels, Belgium Council of Ministers February 23/02/09 Brussels, Belgium Council of Ministers March 23/03/09 Brussels, Belgium Council of Ministers

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (3 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 — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: This matter refers to a recent proposal by the European Commission which calls for the establishment of a moratorium on fishing certain whitefish species in the area off the northwest coast — technically called Area VIa which covers the areas from the south Donegal coast north to north of Scotland. It applies to all waters of a depth less than 200m. The proposed ban prohibits any fishing...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The allocation of €128 million to the Forestry subhead for 2009 is evidence of the Government's commitment to maintaining an active and substantial forestry programme. Provision has been made for the continuation of the Afforestation Scheme and some Forestry Support Schemes in 2009. However, much of the allocation is already committed, primarily to pay premiums to farmers who planted...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: Following is the statement: Month Date Country December 04/12/08 London, UK Bord Bia Trade Reception 18/12/08 Brussels, Belgium Council of Ministers January 19/01/09 Brussels, Belgium Council of Ministers February 23/02/09 Brussels, Belgium Council of Ministers March 23/03/09 Brussels, Belgium Council of Ministers April 23/04/09 Luxembourg Council of Ministers May 25/05/09...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: Ireland's request to the EU Commission to allow mandatory origin labelling for poultry, pig and sheepmeat was based on the provisions of directive 2000/13/EC. The Commission has however adopted a negative opinion on the grounds that the intended actions had not been justified on the basis of Article 18 of 2000/13/EC or that the obstacle to trade created would be proportionate. My Department...

Written Answers — Environmental Protection: Environmental Protection (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: The spreading of slurry and farmyard manure is governed by the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, 2006 which is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the first instance. Both the Minister, Deputy Gormley, and I recognised the difficulties faced by farmers due to the inclement weather conditions of...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 126 together. My colleague, Minister Tony Killeen has already received a range of diverse views from industry representatives and operators regarding how any additional mackerel quota for Ireland should be allocated. In that context, he held a meeting last week with the Federation of Irish Fishermen and other industry groups with a view to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Dec 2008)

Brendan Smith: In the 'Towards 2016' Partnership Agreement, a commitment was made to provide funding of €250 million over the five years 2008 to 2012, in support of a suckler scheme. This commitment is being honoured. Based on the very significant level of participation, the cost of the scheme, at a rate of €80 per cow, will be some €77 million for 2008, of which €33 million has been allocated in my...