Results 17,541-17,560 of 18,372 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Regional Food Forum initiative was launched by my Department to build closer links between state agencies and food businesses and to develop regional and local foods. The Fora showcased local food and drinks products, research was presented on emerging market opportunities, regional food business and agency directories were published and successful local food entrepreneurs generously...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Waste management is primarily a matter for the Minister of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The control authorities for water, nitrates and integrated pollution are the Environmental Protection Agency and/or local authorities. Under the cross-compliance arrangements operated by my Department for certain schemes, including the Single Payment Scheme, checks on farms are...

Written Answers — Agricultural Colleges: Agricultural Colleges (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: A review of college infrastructure was undertaken by an outside consultancy body and was finalised early in 2008 and agreed by the Teagasc Authority. Four colleges (three Teagasc colleges and one private college), were prioritised in terms of future capital expenditure. The remaining four colleges of which three are private colleges and one Teagasc college will be required to deliver the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: I am very anxious that all those farmers who have still not submitted their 2008 Single Payment application would do so immediately. I am concerned that so many applications are still outstanding from farmers who made an application in 2007. There is absolutely no scope to extend Thursday's closing date, which is the latest date for receipt of applications allowed under the governing EU...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 385 and 386 together. At present, farmers can choose to have their payments made by cheque or electronic funds transfer directly into their bank account and this situation will continue during the 2008 EU financial year which ends on 15 October. However, as and from the 2009 EU financial year commencing on 16th October 2008, payment by cheque will no longer...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The European Commission have confirmed the new rules for applications and payments under REPS 4. Payments will relate to the period in each calendar year during which a participant is in REPS 4 and will issue in two stages. The first, which will be 75% of the total, will issue when all administrative checks for REPS and the Single Payment Scheme are completed. In practice, this will be in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The European Commission have confirmed the new rules for applications and payments under REPS 4. Payments will relate to the period in each calendar year during which a participant is in REPS 4 and will issue in two stages. The first, which will be 75% of the total, will issue when all administrative checks for REPS and the Single Payment Scheme are completed. In practice, this will be in...

Written Answers — Land Acquisitions: Land Acquisitions (13 May 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 — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Boat Cove at Ardmore, Co Waterford is owned by Waterford County Council and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. My Department provided funding of €106,860 towards the raising of the deck at this location in 2000 as well as a further €47,656 in funding in 2005. In December 2007, my Department invited Waterford County Council...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (8 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: This is a long-standing case involving leasing arrangements put in place initially in 1937. Following refurbishment of the pier in the late 1990s, the Port of Cork indicated a wish to alter the leasing arrangement with a view to ultimately acquiring the freehold of the area of foreshore in question. At a meeting between officials of my Department with representatives of the Port Company...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (8 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The proposal referred to by the Deputy would require an appropriate foreshore consent under the Foreshore Acts. In line with normal procedures, my Department requires that planning permission be obtained before consideration is given to an application for a foreshore consent. This requirement is of general application. The Department's consideration of this case remains open pending...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (8 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The level of services provided at Howth Fishery harbour Centre are constantly appraised and upgraded in accordance with its designation as a Fishery Harbour Centre and the requirements of stakeholders and harbour users. An Invitation to Tender for the operation of a Food and Beverage (Non-Alcohol) Unit at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre has recently been published in the national press, on the...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (8 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Responsibility for coast protection rests with the property owner whether it is a Local Authority or a private individual and in this instance it would rest with the property owners, i.e., the Irish College and the five local farmers. My Department's Coastal Protection Programme provides funding to projects managed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and also provides for the...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (8 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The criteria for planting are based on the Forestry Schemes Manual, a comprehensive suite of environmental guidelines including fisheries, landscape, archaeology, biodiversity, harvesting and forest protection, and the Code of Best Forest Practice (all available on the Department's website). The criteria vary from site to site and each application is examined by the Forest Service for...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (8 May 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 strict 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.

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

Brendan Smith: The 2007 National Reserve was advertised on 16 May 2007 with a closing date of 8 June 2007. On initial examination of the Department's records it appeared that up to 8,000 farmers could qualify under the special sheep measure of the National Reserve but up to 11 June only 1,000 farmers had applied under this category. The deadline for applications was then extended to the 22 June 2007. In...

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

Brendan Smith: There is no grant-aid available from my Department for the construction of cattle underpasses.

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (8 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Kilcummin Pier is owned by Mayo County Council and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. However, in late 2007, my Department invited Mayo County Council to submit proposals for inclusion in the Fishery Harbours & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme for 2008. An application for funding for a new slipway and hard standing...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (8 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: I presume the Deputy is referring to the end-2008 deadline for completion of work by farmers under the revised Farm Waste Management Scheme introduced by my Department in March 2006. This is a strict condition of the EU state aid approval for the Scheme and I have no plans to approach the EU Commission to alter the terms of the state aid approval. All claims for payment must therefore be...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (8 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The EU Commission has proposed a Thematic Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides. The Strategy includes a number of initiatives to reduce the impact of pesticides including a revised and extended Regulatory system for plant protection products. Council Directive 91/414/EEC requires that all plant protection products be approved, following risk assessments, before being placed on the...