Results 17,061-17,080 of 18,372 for speaker:Brendan Smith
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: BIM in conjunction with the Marine Institute continues to implement this Observer Programme on an ongoing basis.
- Written Answers — Seafood Exports: Seafood Exports (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: BIM have continued to support producers in accessing export markets. A marketing advisor was recently appointed in the UK, and the Italian market is being intensively researched. The traditional export markets in France, Spain and Germany continue to be a focus for Irish seafood producers. A major promotion of Irish Seafood Products took place at the European Seafood Expo in Brussels in April.
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: Ireland was at the forefront in the EU debate on the introduction of electronic logbooks for larger fishing vessels. New rules were agreed that will apply from 1/1/2010 and will give real time access to coastal states such as Ireland to fishing records of vessels in its 200 mile zone. The Department will in conjunction with the SFPA and the Naval Service establish a Project team to guide...
- Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: A system of Electronic Sales Notes is now in operation for all landings by Irish vessels or non-Irish vessels into Ireland. Ireland is pushing at EU level for other member states to introduce electronic systems.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: The question of recoupment of forestry premium from Coillte is being considered within my Department in the context of Coillte's proposed strategy for the period 2008-2012.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: The mixed grazing supplementary measure is available to farmers joining REPS 4 and was approved by the European Commission on the basis of the environmental benefits accruing from following a mixed grazing regime. Any change to the measure would require further Commission approval and could only be justified on environmental grounds. My Department has issued some â¬9,000 for the mixed...
- Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: The end-2008 deadline 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. I have no plans to approach the EU Commission to alter the terms of the state aid approval. The Standard Costings used to calculate grants under my Department's on-farm investment schemes...
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: The possibility of introducing administrative sanctions was comprehensively considered, including an examination of practices in other Member States, at the time of the passage of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill through the Oireachtas. The position taken by the Minister at the time was based on the legal advice from the Attorney General. During recent negotiations with the...
- Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: At the December 2007 Council, a preliminary 2008 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for Celtic Sea cod was set at 4,316 tonnes under Council Regulation (EC) No. 40/2008. A final TAC was to be established in the light of new scientific advice as soon as possible in the first half of 2008. In March this year, a scientific submission was made by the Research Institutes of France, UK and Ireland...
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: The new Council Regulation establishing a Community System to prevent, deter and eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing achieved political agreement at the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers on 24th June 2008. As an EU Council Regulation, of course, its provisions are directly binding on all Member States. I have already welcomed this measure for the benefits it...
- Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: The Seafood Strategy Implementation Group (SSIG) was set up in March 2007 under the chairmanship of Dr. Noel Cawley to oversee implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Seafood Industry Strategy Review Group: Steering a New Course. Dr Cawley presented a progress report on the implementation of the recommendations to my predecessor in February in accordance with the terms of...
- Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Protection: Fishing Fleet Protection (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: Since the escalation of this crisis Minister Killeen and I have taken every opportunity available to stress in the strongest possible terms to Commissioner Borg and the Commission, the depth of feeling of Irish Fishermen and the critical nature of the situation facing them. We have continuously pressurised the Commissioner to bring forward a new EU-funded package of measures to alleviate the...
- Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Protection: Fishing Fleet Protection (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: A scheme for the compensation of crew affected by the decommissioning of fishing vessels has not been put in place and the focus has been to provide training for crew who lose their jobs to support them to source alternative employment. Even if it was decided to implement such a scheme its practical implementation would be difficult because there are no official records for crewing of...
- Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: I am committed to the implementation of the Cawley Strategy and the necessary funding for its implementation has been provided for in the National Development Plan 2007-2013.
- Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: The Community Fisheries Control Agency (CFCA) has been established at Vigo since the 1st of July 2008. I am advised that a small staff complement of personnel will be maintained at Brussels for a limited period no later than December 2008 for continuity purposes. The Community Fisheries Control Agency will perform a number of functions. The CFCA will administer fisheries data exchange and...
- Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: My Department has taken a number of important initiatives in recent years to promote the conservation and sustainable use of plant and animal genetic resources, as follows: DAFF and Teagasc maintain substantial collections of native potato varieties and cereals, and seed of these are made available to growers and interested parties on request. DAFF has operated an annual grant scheme since...
- Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: I have read with interest the correspondence from the person referred to (details supplied). Fundamentally it is a personal assessment of how he sees some of the difficulties which have impacted on the fishing sector over time culminating with the present situation which has been triggered by the global rise in fuel prices. I have been fully advised by the Federation of Irish Fishermen of...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: Staffing levels in my Department's offices in Laois and Offaly, as in all areas of my Department, are subject to constant review. Where vacancies that need to be filled are identified, recruitment of clerical staff is carried out on behalf of my Department by the Public Appointments Service or posts are filled by transfers of staff.
- Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to setting a target of a reduction of 3% per year on average in greenhouse gas emissions. Separately, the European Council agreed at its Spring 2007 meeting to set a target of a reduction of at least 20% in greenhouse gases by 2020 â rising to 30% if there is an international agreement that fulfils certain conditions. Under its...
- Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (10 Jul 2008)
Brendan Smith: The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the Minister and the Ministers of State at my Department is set out as follows: Minister Brendan Smith Dates of Travel Method of Travel Cost 7th â 31st May, 2008 2 Plane Trips Government Jet used 1st â 30th June, 2008 3 Plane Trips Government Jet used 1st â 8th July, 2008 No trips taken Nil Minister of State Trevor Sargent...