Results 17,201-17,220 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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 — 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 – 31st May, 2008 2 Plane Trips Government Jet used 1st – 30th June, 2008 3 Plane Trips Government Jet used 1st – 8th July, 2008 No trips taken Nil Minister of State Trevor Sargent...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: S.I. No. 320 of 2003 — European Communities (Labelling of Fishery and Aquaculture Products) Regulations requires that the product is labelled with a country of origin. However there are a number of exclusions in the legislation and essentially, there is no overall enabling legislation requiring all fish products sold here to carry a country of origin label. For example, raw or portioned...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry: Fishing Industry (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Data from a BIM survey shows that nationally, employment in the seafood processing sector was 4,020 in 1997, this comprised 2,111 on a full time and 2,809 on a part time basis. These figures are not available for 1998. I will revert to the deputy directly when the details by county are validated.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry: Fishing Industry (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: According to BIM, in 2006, the most recent year for which data is available, employment in seafood processing amounted to 2,867, this comprised 2,205 full time and 662 part time. I will revert to the deputy directly when the details by county are validated.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 591 and 592 together. The Single Payment Scheme was introduced as a fully decoupled scheme on 1 January 2005. Farmers were allocated Single Payment entitlements based on the average of their receipts under the various Premia schemes during the three years 2000, 2001 and 2002. Provision was made under the Single Payment Scheme for the transfer by way of sale,...

Written Answers — Land Commission: Land Commission (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: During its period of existence all decisions as to what land was acquired and distributed by the Land Commission was a matter reserved by law to the Land Commissioners. As well as compulsory acquisition powers, the Commission also accepted voluntary surrender of land, which could be used as part of re arrangement proceedings. The Land Commission was dissolved in 1999 by the commencement of...

Written Answers — Departmental Guidelines: Departmental Guidelines (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies set out in the Department of Finance Guidelines, it is the specific responsibility of the Board of each State Body to ensure that Public Procurement Procedures are implemented at best practice level. For State Bodies which come under the aegis of my Department, each Chairman is required by this Code to affirm compliance with these...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Earlier this week the Government decided on a number of spending measures to maintain a prudent fiscal out-turn for 2008. That decision included expenditure savings on my Department's Vote of €9.1 million. Further savings in expenditure will be sought in 2009. The savings in the current year will be absorbed by my Department on its administrative budget and by the State Agencies under its...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: As the Minister for Finance has outlined, the fundamentals of our economy are sound. Our current difficulty does not represent a return to the 1980s. Indeed, the economy has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. Our public debt is the second lowest in the European Union. The general Government debt has declined from over 100% of GNP in the 1980s to 53% of GNP in 1998 and to a...

Written Answers — Official Travel: Official Travel (9 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: No representatives of my Department will be visiting Beijing in an official capacity to coincide with the 2008 Olympics.

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (9 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Tree Felling Licences: Tree Felling Licences (9 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Section 37 of the Forestry Act 1946 requires, with certain exceptions, the owners of land on which the trees stand to give notice of intention, by way of a Felling Notice, when uprooting trees over ten years of age or cutting down trees of any age. No Felling Notice has been received to date by the Forest Service of my Department for lands at Knockroe, Castlerea. Should a Felling Notice be...

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The files of the former Land Commission are retained in the Records Branch of my Department, which is currently located in the National Archives Building in Bishop Street. These files have not been formally handed over to the National Archives as they contain title documentation of all land acquired by the former Commission for distribution under the Land Purchase Acts. My officials...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Following is the information requested. Title Date of Appointment Annual Salary Dermot Ryan — Special Advisor to Minister Brendan Smith 7th May, 2008 €97,747 plus 10% attraction allowance Philip Hannon — Press Advisor to Minister Brendan Smith 7th May, 2008 €97,747 Stiofan Nutty — Special Advisor to Minister of State Trevor Sargent 7th May, 2008 €91,170 plus 10% attraction...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: There are seven staff working in the Press Office at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The numbers are broken down as follows: Annual Salary Scale 1 Assistant Principal Officer €64,565 – €80,507 1 Higher Executive Officer €45,422 – €57,656 4 Executive Officers €29,820 – €47,321 and €31,394 – €49,809 1 Clerical Officer €22,609 – €36,667

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The following staff are employed in my constituency office. Annual Salary Scale 1 Personal Assistant €45,522 – €53,688 (including 10% attraction allowance) 1 Personal Secretary €29,820 – €49,180 (including 10% attraction allowance) *5 Clerical Officers €22,609 – €36,667 *Two of whom are involved in work-sharing arrangements.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The person named is an applicant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. My Department issued approval to commence the proposed investment works on 2 May 2008. The applicable percentage rate of grant-aid is 40%.