Results 16,941-16,960 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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.

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

Brendan Smith: The number of farmers in Co. Mayo active in REPS at the end of each year is set out as follows: REPS 2 REPS3 REPS 4 2004 4,070 1,331 N/A 2005 2,994 2,696 N/A 2006 1,463 5,285 N/A 2007 740 5,340 36 Statistics are not readily available on the number of farmers who have opted out of the Scheme. The numbers of farmers in Co. Mayo who have had REPS penalties imposed is set out as follows: ...

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

Brendan Smith: The risk analysis criteria for selection of cases for REPS inspection is laid down in EU Regulations and apply equally to all regions. With minor exceptions cases for inspection are selected centrally based on this criteria by my Department's REPS headquarters based in Wexford. Procedure manuals are provided to all inspectorate staff who follow a standard checklist when they carry out...

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

Brendan Smith: The individual concerned is already the holder of the aquaculture licence in question. However, he applied last year to my Department for approval for partial assignment to another company of a portion of the area covered by his licence. Consideration of the proposal required technical and legal advice which has now been obtained. I expect to be in a position to make a determination in...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (1 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 — 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.

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

Brendan Smith: Quota allocations for the main fish stocks were set in the early 1980's when fish stocks were being shared out between Member States. The share allocations were based on catch records and reflected the fishing levels by the various fleets at that time in all areas including ICES Area VI and VII.

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

Brendan Smith: The Shellfish Management Framework is the normal mechanism for the development of management plans for inshore fisheries. It consists of Local Advisory Committees (LACs), which are industry led, and Species Advisory Groups (SAGs) who present plans to the Inshore Fisheries Review Group (IFRG) who if appropriate will recommend the management plans to me for effective implementation. The Cockle...

Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The position is that an EU Commission report on the application of cross-compliance was presented to the April 2007 Agriculture Council and Council conclusions were adopted in June 2007. The following issues were covered in the conclusions: Tolerance for minor non-compliance Introduction of a "de minimis" rule for penalties Harmonisation of control rates Advance notice of Inspections...

Written Answers — Agriculture Appeals Office: Agriculture Appeals Office (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Under the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001, the Agriculture Appeals Office was established to provide an appeals service to farmers who may be dissatisfied with decisions of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food concerning their entitlements under designated schemes operated by the Department. This case was received at the Agriculture Appeals Office on 13th March 2008 and decision...

Written Answers — Farm Improvement Scheme: Farm Improvement Scheme (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: A sum of €15 million was made available in the 2008 Estimates for the Farm Improvement Scheme of which €6.518 million has been paid out to date. The allocation for the Scheme next year will be determined in the context of the 2009 Estimates process. A total allocation of €79 million was provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016, and the Scheme was...

Written Answers — Horticulture Sector: Horticulture Sector (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The position is that Article 21 of the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 (SI No. 378 of 2006) contains a number of requirements in relation to ploughing and the use of non-selective herbicides including a requirement under Article 21 (2) to provide for emergence by 1 November of green cover from a sown crop where grassland has been...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The application in this case was submitted on 17/1/08 and, if found to be valid, his REPS 4 contract will commence from 1 February 2008. Advance payments of 75% under the EU regulations governing REPS 4 can only issue when all administrative checks on applications for REPS 4 and the 2008 Single Payment Scheme are completed. This work is still ongoing and it is expected that payments will...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The position is that an application under the Single Payment Scheme /Disadvantaged Area Compensatory Allowance Scheme was received from the person named on the 7th April 2008. As part of the control procedures under EU legislation governing these Schemes, the application was selected for and was the subject of a ground eligibility inspection. The inspection was carried out on the 8th August...

Written Answers — Compensation Schemes: Compensation Schemes (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Following resolution of outstanding issues, payment in respect of the Retro-active Restructuring element of the EU Sugar Reform package, €10,114.50, issued in full today to the person named.

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: There are no funds at my disposal to compensate farmers whose cattle die from diseases and conditions that are not regulated by my Department. If disease outbreaks occur, owners of affected herds should seek advice from their veterinary surgeons and my Department's Veterinary Laboratory Service is also available to provide advice if required. Animal health is a critical factor for optimal...

Estimates for Public Services 2008: Motion (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I move: That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2008: Vote 31 — Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Supplementary Estimate).