Results 18,281-18,300 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brendan Smith: The Opposition will not get the opportunity to destroy the economy. The high level of these exports at €7.5 billion and the use of mainly indigenous resources mean the sector accounts for a significant level of the net foreign earnings from the trade of manufactured goods. The commitment of the Government to the long-term development of agriculture, food, forestry, and a vibrant rural...

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Durkan should know that WTO talks are still in progress. The Deputy should not show his complete lack of knowledge of the sector.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brendan Smith: The WTO talks will continue next July. This rise in aggregate farm income was due to a record level of payments to farmers by this Government in 2005. Total direct payments amounted to more than €2.2 billion, which included more than €1 billion under the single payment scheme, €550 million in rural development measures and more than €600 million in premia payments in respect of...

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brendan Smith: They are not leaving. That is a black lie.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brendan Smith: With the assistance of the Chair, I will give the Deputy one statistic——

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brendan Smith: The figure is 0.1%. I remind Deputy Stagg who has consistently spoken against the interests of Irish farming——

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brendan Smith: I never heard the Deputy speak in favour of anything.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brendan Smith: For the first time, exports of food and drink from this country amounted to €7.5 billion.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brendan Smith: I get excited when I listen to untruths. We have listened to Deputy Stagg for too long in this House misrepresenting rural Ireland, misrepresenting the farmers and misrepresenting the agri-food sector. I am very glad to support the Government amendment to a motion that has no substance. It is a motion put forward by two parties who lack direction and who lack any distinct policy. They only...

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brendan Smith: I get excited when I listen to untruths. I believe in the truth.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brendan Smith: Get them out.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brendan Smith: It is a proud record.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brendan Smith: Exactly.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brendan Smith: That is an outrageous accusation. It should be withdrawn.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brendan Smith: It is an outrageous accusation.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brendan Smith: He has nothing to say.

Food Labelling. (27 Jun 2006)

Brendan Smith: The enforcement of food labelling regulations is centralised in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, which ensures that the appropriate controls are carried out by the relevant official agencies. The official agencies include the Health Service Executive, my Department, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs and...

Food Labelling. (27 Jun 2006)

Brendan Smith: As Deputy Naughten knows, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act 1998 contains the enforcement provisions the FSAI can implement, including enforcement orders and improvement notices and orders. The FSAI was established under that legislation and is a statutory, independent body whose job is to protect food hygiene and safety for consumers. It does that well. The specific issues the Deputy...

Food Labelling. (27 Jun 2006)

Brendan Smith: We appreciate the work and interest of the Tánaiste in that regard. People in general are concerned about labelling, as surveys have shown. The Minister has raised at European level the need for further advances in this area. We have made advances on beef and the regulations will be in place from 3 July. The Minister has also raised with the Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection...

Food Labelling. (27 Jun 2006)

Brendan Smith: The Minister consistently raises substantial transformation at the Council of Ministers meeting and at meetings with the Agriculture Commissioner and with Commissioner Kyprianou as well. Yesterday a week ago she raised it at the most recent meeting of the Council of Ministers. It is of interest to the producer, the processor and the consumer. We have put forward our concerns on this issue...