Results 61-80 of 4,571 for speaker:Trevor Sargent

Grant Payments. (27 Jan 2010)

Trevor Sargent: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for his reminder. Producers concentrate for the most part on supplying the home market. The EU prohibits supports which are targeted at import substitution. It should also be noted that two sectors of Irish horticulture, in particular, are important sources of foreign revenue. The vast bulk of mushroom production is exported to the UK and almost all...

Grant Payments. (27 Jan 2010)

Trevor Sargent: The Government has held discussions with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the introduction of a code of practice, an issue we discussed in the House on previous occasions. Progress is being made in this regard. Following a period of consultation, the Tánaiste has indicated that she will introduce a voluntary code which will be followed by a statutory code. We all hope...

Grant Payments. (27 Jan 2010)

Trevor Sargent: While I appreciate that much of the media coverage has focused on the potato crop, I am aware that growers of other crops, including carrot producers, have also been affected. As Deputy Creed noted, the Minister, Deputy Brendan Smith, met a delegation from the Irish Farmers' Association, while I have met individual growers. Both of us are giving serious consideration to the submissions...

Grant Payments. (27 Jan 2010)

Trevor Sargent: I concur with Deputy Sherlock that there is no point in introducing an unenforceable code. The Tánaiste has assured us that while the submissions under consideration will initially result in a voluntary code, it will be placed on a statutory footing. We are moving as quickly as possible towards the position the Deputy advocates. We all wish progress could be made more quickly. The...

Grant Payments. (27 Jan 2010)

Trevor Sargent: Potatoes have been included in the grants provided in the past. Under the most recent round of funding, considerable investment was made in storage facilities. This has enabled us to ensure we can maintain an Irish element to potato retail for longer than was previously the case. The grant schemes are highly competitive. Applicants must have a business plan for at least two years, must...

Biotechnological Inventions. (27 Jan 2010)

Trevor Sargent: I am aware of the potential to use miscanthus to generate heat and power in the bioenergy sector. The Department has been grant aiding farmers to plant miscanthus since 2007 under the bioenergy scheme. The scheme was launched on a pilot basis to provide farmers with an establishment grant to cover 50% of the costs of establishment up to a maximum payment of €1,450 per hectare. Eligible...

Biotechnological Inventions. (27 Jan 2010)

Trevor Sargent: I will put the Deputy's suggestion regarding an increased start-up grant to the officials in my Department. As he stated, when it comes to pellets, briquettes, whole-bale boilers, co-firing, and so on, the potential of miscanthus is significant. As with any new activity, however, a certain amount of lead-in time is required. The methods relating to growing miscanthus are not unlike those...

Biotechnological Inventions. (27 Jan 2010)

Trevor Sargent: We are getting great value in the House today, particularly when one considers that I am replying to questions that are proper to the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Biotechnological Inventions. (27 Jan 2010)

Trevor Sargent: I will certainly pass on to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the Deputy's comments regarding the cost of feeding energy into the national grid. The review to which I referred will take on board the experience of farmers and the difficulties they face to date.

Biotechnological Inventions. (27 Jan 2010)

Trevor Sargent: I have no doubt that, notwithstanding the implications in respect of energy and other matters, responsibility for miscanthus comes within the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I accept that it is a quick earner for farmers. However, the market relating to it must still be developed. A product development project - in the context of mixing wood and miscanthus on a...

Biotechnological Inventions. (27 Jan 2010)

Trevor Sargent: A significant level of urgency has been afforded to this matter and a considerable amount of money has already been invested. Between 2005 and 2007, €6 million was spent, under the research stimulus fund programme, on 13 projects. There has been a great deal of investment in Oak Park and other centres. This matter is being treated with urgency. The review to which I referred earlier...

Banking Crisis: Motion (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Trevor Sargent: Ba mhaith liom a chinnntiú go bhfuil mé ag roinnt mo chuid ama leis na Teachtaí Thomas Byrne, Michael McGrath, Fleming, O'Connor agus Moynihan.

Banking Crisis: Motion (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Trevor Sargent: Níl mé cinnte mar gheall ar an Aire, an Teachta Ryan.

Banking Crisis: Motion (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Trevor Sargent: I am seeking that whatever can be established be agreed by all sides of the House, which is an effective and thorough inquiry into the reckless behaviour that left our banking system in such a sorry state. The sooner we can have that inquiry the better. The Green Party Leader, Deputy Gormley, was the first member of Cabinet to call for such an inquiry publicly in December. We will have an...

Foreign Conflicts. (17 Dec 2009)

Trevor Sargent: Arís, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta Ó hUigín as an cheist a ardú. Bhí suim mhór agam éisteacht lena chúntas. Tá súil agam gur féidir liom roinnt de na ceisteanna a d'ardaigh sé a fhreagairt. Deanfaidh mé mo dhícheall ar son an Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha. The Government is aware of this case and shares the concern expressed that every effort be made...

Foreign Conflicts. (17 Dec 2009)

Trevor Sargent: -----which will resolve this issue and avert a tragedy. The case has also been discussed at EU level with the Moroccan Government, and the EU Presidency issued a statement concerning her situation on 10 December. The position of the Moroccan authorities is that Ms Haidar is free to enter Morocco and that the immigration formalities required of her were the same as for other arriving...

Grant Payments (17 Dec 2009)

Trevor Sargent: Mo bhuíochas don Teachta O'Mahony as an ceist thábhachtach seo a árdú. I hope to answer the question to the Deputy's satisfaction. He will be aware of the background, namely, that REPS 4 is a measure under the current rural development programme 2007-13. It is subject to stringent EU regulations which require detailed administrative checks, including plan checks, on all applications to...

Hospital Services. (17 Dec 2009)

Trevor Sargent: Gabhaim buíóchas leis an Teachta Bannon as ucht an cheist a árdú agus aontaíom leis gurb ospidéal den scoth é Mullingar. I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. The HSE accepts that there was a problem in the emergency department at Mullingar Hospital earlier this month which required the hospital to be...

Foreign Conflicts. (17 Dec 2009)

Trevor Sargent: Tá fós.

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (15 Dec 2009)

Trevor Sargent: Food labelling is currently governed by Council Directive 2000/13/EC, transposed in 2002, with several amendments since. This applies to the labelling of pre-packaged foodstuffs for sale to the ultimate consumer or for supply to mass caterers. The principle underlying this directive is that the purchaser must not be misled and it has helped to ensure that the consumer is provided with the...