Results 16,701-16,720 of 18,372 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: He said there was no need to go.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes: the introduction of an extensive farm waste management scheme to facilitate Ireland's compliance with the nitrates directive and to assist farmers meet the obligations under the directive; the extraordinary success of the scheme, with over 42,000 approvals issued to date; the unique...

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I welcome this opportunity——

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I did not hear my colleague, Deputy Crawford, support my amendment.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Did he? I agree with Deputy Crawford.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Thank you. Deputy Deenihan and other speakers referred to the fact that perhaps up to 12,000 farmers would not have their projects completed by the end of the year. To clarify, of those who applied for on-farm investment schemes over the years, approximately 80% proceeded with the projects, leaving a shortfall of 20%. The Irish Farmers Association carried out a survey which showed a...

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The figure of 12,000 has been bandied about but I do not know where it came from. I just want to correct this issue.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I am explaining the normal take-up, which Deputy Deenihan would have known from his time as Minister of State in the Department. I welcome this opportunity to restate the tremendous success of the farm waste management scheme as an indication of the Government's support for the farming sector in Ireland through an unprecedented level of investment. As Deputies will be aware, a revised...

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Connaughton should allow me to continue. By the end of last week, the Department had paid out €212.7 million in grant aid this year alone. That is in great contrast to the statement issued by Fine Gael in August that no payments would be made between the end of August and December.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: No. Funding was issued at that time under the original Estimate. Again, we have misinformation from the Opposition.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: They were not frozen. All farmers who complete approved work in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme can be assured they will receive grant aid. Total expenditure in 2008 on this scheme will be approximately €377 million. That follows on expenditure of almost €114 million in 2007 and a provision of €125 million for the scheme next year. That is further evidence of...

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The special situation of Ireland, including circumstances such as bad weather, referred to earlier, were fully taken into account and were obviously a significant factor in achieving the exceptional extension. I and my predecessor have consistently stressed to farmers the need to meet the deadline. In recent weeks the Department wrote to every applicant outlining the possibility of...

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: That is not the way the officials work.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I am not a civil servant. That remark should be withdrawn. I defend——

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Sheahan made the allegation. The last time there was a Fine Gael——

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Sheahan made an allegation against civil servants and he should withdraw it. The last time there was a Fine Gael Minister for Agriculture——

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: They are not smear tactics, I am stating the truth. Deputy Creed is the man using smear tactics with the arguments and rubbish he comes out with.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: He did.

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Sheahan said the representations were dealt with in the Department in a manner——

Farm Waste Management Scheme: Motion (16 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: That is not the case. He did not.