Results 16,801-16,820 of 18,372 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2008 EU Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 22 April 2008. During processing of this application, an issue arose regarding the area claimed on one of the land parcels. The person named has been written to in relation to this matter and immediately a reply is received, the application will be processed further.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (7 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The number of farmers participating in REPS in Co Clare at the end of each of the last 4 years and the number that had penalties applied in those years is as follows: Year Number of farmers in REPS in Co. Clare Number of farmers in Number of farmers in 2004 1996 65 1 2005 2086 86 28 2006 2842 33 60 2007 2659 11 88

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (7 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The high level group, also referred to as the 'Sherpa Group', was established last May at the initiative of President Barroso. The purpose of the group is to allow a discussion among senior officials from each Member State, each official representing the overall policy of their government on GMOs. The discussion would cover such topics as current legislation, increased food/feed prices, WTO...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (7 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 443 to 448, inclusive, together. As the Deputy is aware, the farm in question is currently the subject of an investigation being carried out by the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA) at UCD. This comprehensive investigation, which is being undertaken to the highest scientific standards, was commissioned by my Department at an...

Vote 31 — Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Supplementary Estimate) (7 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I move: That a supplementary sum not exceeding €195,000,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2008, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, including certain services administered by that Office, and of the Irish Land Commission and for payment of...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The table below provides a breakdown of appeals received at the Agriculture Appeals Office in respect of each AES region for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 to-date, categorised into those successful and disallowed. 2006 2007 2008 to-date REGION Successful Disallowed Successful Disallowed Successful Disallowed South West 10 20 16 26 2 17 South East 4 9 3 12 2 9 Midlands & East 10 18 4 21...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (2 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Office of Public Works (OPW ) are responsible for the leasing and rental of Department offices nationally and they have been asked to provide the material which will be sent directly to the Deputy. The rented space in Dockgate, Galway is being utilised for staff in the Veterinary Office, Agricultural Environment and Structures Office, Inspectorate, Irish language Unit, and is being...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The claim for payment lodged by the person concerned under the Farm Waste Management Scheme is being processed by my Department. I would expect that payment will be made in the near future provided that the claim is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Scheme.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The claim for payment lodged by the person concerned under the Farm Waste Management Scheme is being processed by my Department. I would expect that payment will be made in the near future provided that the claim is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Scheme.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: While under the EU regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme, the earliest date payments may issue is 1 December of the scheme-year concerned, provision is also made for payments to be made earlier, subject to EU approval. Prompted by the very wet summer, which seriously affected farming, I approached the Agriculture Commissioner seeking agreement to an early advance 50% payment, in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The claim for payment lodged by the person concerned under the Farm Waste Management Scheme is being processed by my Department. I would expect that payment will be made in the near future provided that the claim is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Scheme.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The deadline of 31 December 2008 for completion of work by farmers under the revised Farm Waste Management Scheme introduced by my Department in March 2006 is a condition of the EU state aid approval for the Scheme. The European Commission has since reaffirmed that it expects Ireland to respect strictly this deadline.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Farm Improvement Scheme was introduced by my Department in July 2007 with funding of allocation of €79 million was provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016, and the Scheme was suspended on 31 October 2007 as applications received had reached this level of funding. Applications received up to 21 October 2007 are now being processed by my Department and the...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (2 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Manufacturing premises, factories and other such establishments may be subject to regulation by a variety of public bodies, including for example Local Authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies including my Department in some instances. From time to time my Department receives complaints in relation to a range of matters concerning a wide variety of establishments,...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The claim for payment lodged by the person concerned under the Farm Waste Management Scheme is being processed by my Department. I would expect that payment will be made in the near future provided that the claim is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Scheme.

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The primary concern of my Department in assessing applications of this nature for foreshore consents are the protection and sustainable development of the foreshore. Decisions on applications are made following comprehensive expert advice from a range of consultees including the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. This approach is of general application.

Written Answers — Seafood Imports: Seafood Imports (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Information requested contained in the following tables. Irish Fish Imports by Origin for Year 2007 Country Tonnes â'¬000 Great Britain 21,783 100,280 Germany 2,457 11,980 Iceland 1,020 7,800 Northern Ireland 2,596 6,067 France 1,214 5,682 Denmark 867 4,512 Netherlands 1,076 3,499 Faroe Islands 339 1,644 Canada 414 2,186 Norway 234 808 Spain 340 937 Thailand 654 2,590 USA...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Laptops distributed to staff within my Department are used primarily to facilitate secure remote access to the Department's computer network and applications and to assist staff in preparing work related presentations, spreadsheets and documents. While accessing the system remotely, the corporate data continues to be stored in the Department's secure data centre rather than on the laptop....

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The growing of energy crops by farmers in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) is permitted. The area allowed for the growing of miscanthus or willow in REPS is 25% of the utilizable agricultural area of the holding or 10 hectares, whichever is the greater. Farmers who have declared land as set-aside and are in receipt of set-aside payments receive no additional payment under the...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is the body responsible for the collection of all data relating to sea-fisheries under national and Community law. I have asked the SFPA to revert directly to the deputy on these matters.