Results 17,661-17,680 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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

Brendan Smith: Following a full review and consultation with the sector, the Forest Environmental Payments Scheme (FEPS) has been amended and has been rolled out as an established scheme. The threshold of 8 hectares has been reduced to 5 hectares for small farms (less than 30ha), attracting a €150/ha rate for plantations between 5 and 8 ha, and €200/ha thereafter. At the other end of the scale, a...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: The review of the main elements of the 1946 Forestry Act has now been completed and draft Heads of a Forestry Bill have been prepared. The draft Scheme of the Forest Bill, along with the Screening Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) and Memorandum for Government have been prepared and will be submitted to Government shortly for approval to send to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for...

Written Answers — Farmers Markets: Farmers Markets (13 May 2008)

Brendan Smith: Bord Bia as part of its function to promote marketing opportunities continually assists producers and market organisers on sales, marketing, product development, consumer aspects. It has taken the lead in publishing a guide on 'Alternative Routes to Market'. This provides step-by-step plans, checklists and guidelines to assist growers and food entrepreneurs who wish to set up in business...

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

Brendan Smith: Bord Bia continues to operate Quality Assurance Schemes for beef, lamb, pigmeat, poultry and eggs. At present there are more than 25,000 certified farms in the Beef Quality Assurance Scheme and close to 4,000 members in the Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme. Horticulture schemes are also in place. Deputies will have seen the increasing display of the Bord Bia Quality Assurance logo on a range...

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...