Results 18,121-18,140 of 18,372 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Pig and Poultry Sectors. (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Smith: I accept the importance of the issues raised by Deputy Connolly. Deputy Crawford, Deputy Connolly and I are well aware of the different issues involved for the intensive industries in Cavan and Monaghan. We have established a working group on intensive livestock enterprises, which was specifically set up to consider issues facing the intensive livestock sector in the context of the nitrates...

Pig and Poultry Sectors. (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Smith: In conclusion, I want to assure Deputy Connolly that there has not been a breakdown in communication. The group I refer to is particularly relevant as regards the subject matter of his question about the intensive industries that are important in our two counties. The working group on intensive livestock enterprises met no later than yesterday.

Biotechnological Inventions. (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Smith: I am aware that advances in life sciences and industrial biotechnology are breaking new ground in understanding microbial biodiversity and bioprocesses that could lead to valuable bioproduct and biomaterials like plastic materials and chemical agents being produced from agricultural crops. Support for such research which, I believe, should be very much led by industry comes within the remit...

Biotechnological Inventions. (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Smith: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is the lead Department for the European Union's seventh framework programme and from next year, significant funds will be made available from that programme. The Department of Agriculture and Food's role will come under the general theme of food, agriculture and biotechnology. The first call on the framework programme reflects many of the...

Biotechnological Inventions. (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Smith: It pertains to that particular area, to date.

Biotechnological Inventions. (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Smith: I doubt whether I have sufficient knowledge to comment on a matter that is probably still under development in a laboratory. It is a subject on which I will gladly defer to the Department's inspectorate and to specialists. However, I will not attempt to comment on something that, to my knowledge, has not yet taken life.

Biotechnological Inventions. (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Smith: I met Dr. Fottrell, the chairman of Science Foundation Ireland, in late 2004. It has been exceptionally successful in its work since its establishment in the late 1990s or the early years of this century. The Government is committed to providing substantial resources in the field of food research innovation. I have stated that substantial resources have been committed already in the...

National Task Force on Obesity. (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Smith: The Department of Agriculture and Food made a comprehensive submission to the National Task Force on Obesity setting out in detail its mission, role and responsibilities, which are "to lead the sustainable development of a competitive, consumer focused agri-food sector and to contribute to a vibrant rural economy and society". The Department participated in a consultation day that was...

National Task Force on Obesity. (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Smith: The Irish "food dude" programme won an international award last week. It got great recognition from the World Health Organisation.

National Task Force on Obesity. (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Smith: The EU Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner has said the programme can be a model for the rest of Europe, particularly during the process of organising the fruit and vegetable sector over the coming months. That process is due to conclude in January. We hope the operation of the programme can be expanded. We have prioritised horticulture in recent years when giving grants to fruit...

National Task Force on Obesity. (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Upton has raised these issues previously. In the next national development plan, there will be a greater focus on fruit and vegetables and we will take new initiatives in that respect. There is an emerging health agenda that is being addressed by the food industry. Food poverty and the fact that people in disadvantaged homes do not get access to nutritious foods are part of a...

Pig and Poultry Sectors. (29 Nov 2006)

Brendan Smith: Ireland applied to the European Commission for a derogation, under the nitrates directive, from the limit of 170 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare per year. The derogation, as submitted to the Commission, would have applied not only to grassland farmers but also to farmers wishing to import pig and poultry manure. Unfortunately, this aspect of the proposal did not meet with the approval of...

Grant Payments. (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The introduction of the single payment scheme in 2005 brought the new concept of payment entitlements into the direct payments system. Payment entitlements are not attached to land but they are the property of the farmer who was farming during the reference period and was in receipt of direct payments under one or more of the livestock...

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the opportunity to discuss the 2007 abridged Estimates. The provision of more than €54 billion for supply services reflects an ongoing commitment to strategic infrastructural development and the improvement of critical public services within the overall context of responsible government and good governance. Within this context, it is clear that support for the agrifood sector...

Food Labelling. (17 Oct 2006)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 115 together. Regarding the labelling of beef, this is governed by comprehensive EU regulations which were introduced in 2000 and are underpinned by a full national animal identification and traceability system. These compulsory labelling regulations require all operators and organisations marketing beef within the Community to provide information on...

Food Labelling. (17 Oct 2006)

Brendan Smith: The area of food labelling was centralised in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and enormous progress has been made since 2000 on the general labelling of meats. The Oireachtas passed legislation earlier this year to enable the Minister for Health and Children to implement the regulations governing the labelling of beef in restaurants and other catering houses. There are 44,000 food...

Food Labelling. (17 Oct 2006)

Brendan Smith: The environmental health officers, who work for the HSE, are contracted by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to carry out inspections in the food service sector. Their primary role is in the area of hygiene, safety, health and risk assessment. Implementing the new regulations is an additional duty for them. The Department of Agriculture and Food has a contract with the Food Safety...

Food Labelling. (17 Oct 2006)

Brendan Smith: I do not think some of the media comment on labelling we have read and heard is accurate.

Food Labelling. (17 Oct 2006)

Brendan Smith: Some of the comments of the establishments and well known restaurants that had not labelled their beef as Irish have stated that they consistently used quality Irish beef since they were founded, in some cases 20 or 30 years ago. It is an additional bonus for any restaurant to display a statement that it sources its beef locally, for example. The consumers demand to know the source of the...

Food Labelling. (17 Oct 2006)

Brendan Smith: It has to be a benefit and bonus to any restaurant or catering establishment to demonstrate that the food is sourced locally.