Results 18,321-18,340 of 18,372 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Food Industry. (4 May 2005)

Brendan Smith: Scientists have replaced the saturated fat, salt and sugar components in convenience foods as consumption of natural healthy food ingredients continues to increase, resulting in healthier products. Under the food institutional research programme, considerable work has been undertaken at Teagasc's National Food Centre and University College Cork in developing those types of foods as referred...

Food Industry. (4 May 2005)

Brendan Smith: Yes, and that work is ongoing. The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, has been anxious to make the public aware at every available forum that we will drive this agenda. The labelling issue comes into this too. We are making considerable progress on this issue.

Seanad: Citizenship Applications. (27 Apr 2005)

Brendan Smith: I thank Senator Feighan for his kind words of welcome. On behalf of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, who cannot be here this evening, and for the benefit of the House in general, I am pleased to respond to the matter raised by Senator Feighan. The file reference quoted by the Senator relates to an application for naturalisation by the person in question. That application was...

Seanad: Schools Refurbishment. (27 Apr 2005)

Brendan Smith: I thank Senator Morrissey for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House both the extensive actions already taken by the Department of Education and Science and those planned for the future, to tackle the accommodation needs of St. Brigid's national school, Castleknock. Modernising facilities in our 3,200 primary and 750 post-primary schools is not an...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (27 Apr 2005)

Brendan Smith: I apologise for the absence of the Minister for Education and Science who is busy on other Government business. I thank the Senator for raising the matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline the Department's strategy for capital investment in education projects and to outline the position on the application received in the Department for additional accommodation at Scoil Eoin Baiste...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (27 Apr 2005)

Brendan Smith: That is real Donegal style.

Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: Farm incomes are not declining.

Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: The Green Party has been attacking the farmers. That has been its contribution.

Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy should apply the term "Luddite thinking" to himself.

Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy would be very welcome in rural communities.

Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy is not giving the facts.

Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: Like Deputy Morgan, the Deputy wants us to follow the British.

Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: We are unfortunate to become a Thirty-two County jurisdiction.

Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy should be ashamed of his comments.

Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: Following on from last night's debate on this Private Member's Bill I reiterate the position my colleague Deputy Browne outlined in this House yesterday that the Government is opposed at this time to the introduction of a ban on fur farming. The Minister of State, Deputy Browne, has clearly made the case that fur farming is a legitimate farming activity here and throughout the vast majority...

Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: I am talking of Sweden. There was some misapprehension last night. There was an indication that Sweden was not in the same position as this country.

Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: Officials in the Department took the opportunity today to check the matter with the Swedish authorities and the position as outlined was confirmed. We have here a specific requirement under the Musk Rats Act, 1933, and the Musk Rats Act, 1933 (Application to Mink Order) 1965. Under the Musk Rats Act, 1933 (Application to Mink Order) 1965, the keeping of mink is prohibited except under licence...

Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: Environmental problems arising from wild mink come within the remit of the national park and wildlife services. My Department places the utmost priority on animal health and welfare not alone in relation to animals farmed for their fur but across the entire spectrum. Fur farmers also have a vested interest in keeping their animals healthy and content and I disagree with some suggestions in...

Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: It is not incorrect.

Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: The sheds provide normal temperature and light conditions while protecting against direct sunlight, wind and rain. Wire cages are placed in rows in the sheds. The cages are raised off the ground to ensure good hygiene. In mink farming, year-round nest boxes bedded with straw or wood shavings are located adjacent to each holding cage.