Results 81-100 of 17,665 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Postal Services. (2 Jun 2005)

Brendan Smith: I reply on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey. A postcode is a necessary piece of infrastructure for a modern developed economy. Almost 90% of mail in Ireland is now generated by business. A recent report to the European Commission on developments in the European postal sector identified that Ireland has relatively low mail volumes....

Schools Building Projects. (2 Jun 2005)

Brendan Smith: I thank Deputy Wall for raising this matter as it provides an opportunity for me, on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, to outline to the House the action planned to progress the application for capital funding from Athy community college. Modernising facilities in our 3,200 primary and 750 post-primary schools is not an easy task given the legacy of decades of...

Dairy Sector. (15 Jun 2005)

Brendan Smith: I am glad to have the opportunity to debate the current situation in the dairy sector and to inform the House about the comprehensive set of initiatives taken in recent weeks to emphasise Ireland's strong opposition to the European Commission's management of the EU dairy market. Both at Council of Ministers and at bilateral meetings with the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural...

Dairy Sector. (15 Jun 2005)

Brendan Smith: At farm level we must look at increasing the scale of operations, reducing costs where possible, and encouraging a profitable future in the sector for the next generation of dairy farmers. While the mid-term reform of the CAP has ensured the extension of the quota regime until 2014-15, it is imperative now, more than ever, to assist those who wish to expand their operations within this new...

Sugar Industry. (22 Jun 2005)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the opportunity to comment on the Commission's proposals for reform of the common market organisation for sugar, which were finally published today, having been well signalled over the past few weeks. The key elements of the proposals are a 39% price cut in the institutional price for sugar, a corresponding reduction in the minimum price for sugar beet and 60% compensation to...

Decentralisation Programme. (30 Jun 2005)

Brendan Smith: I thank Deputy Donal Moynihan for raising this important issue. As he stated, the Minister for Finance announced the decentralisation of 10,300 public service staff to 53 centres in 25 counties, including eight Department headquarters, in budget 2003. The overall decentralisation plan for the Department of Agriculture and Food provides for the relocation of 600 staff, including 200...

Land Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (1 Jul 2005)

Brendan Smith: I thank all Deputies who contributed on the new Land Bill. It is heartening to hear that agriculture is still of major interest and considered to be of high importance and value to the country as a whole. As Deputy Durkan stated, the measures contained in the Bill will benefit many, including farmers, sporting organisations and ultimately the taxpayer. Almost two thirds of all land annuities,...

Land Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee. (1 Jul 2005)

Brendan Smith: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Agriculture and Food, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Seanad: Company Closures. (29 Sep 2005)

Brendan Smith: I thank Senator Kenneally for raising this matter. I note he has taken every opportunity available to him to address this issue and to highlight the concerns of the local community. It is clear from the Senator's contribution that he knows this subject exceptionally well. On 5 September 2005 the board of Glanbia plc announced that its Kilmeaden cheese plant would close with the loss of 45...

Food Labelling. (4 Oct 2005)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy will be aware that we already have in place a full identification, traceability and labelling system for beef under comprehensive EU regulations. The labelling requirements under those regulations extend up to and including retail level and to the point of delivery into hotels, restaurants and catering establishments. My priority in this area is to extend the existing beef...

Food Labelling. (4 Oct 2005)

Brendan Smith: I record our appreciation for the positive approach of the various representative groups to the voluntary code. Bord Bia will work with the relevant representative associations to ensure the scheme works as well as possible. It will be proposed in the legislation that all meats will be included so that meat from sheep, pigs and poultry will be covered as well. The immediate priority is to...

EU Directives. (4 Oct 2005)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy will see it in January.

Departmental Properties. (4 Oct 2005)

Brendan Smith: Under the ——

Departmental Properties. (4 Oct 2005)

Brendan Smith: That is because of the good stewardship under which all issues are dealt with. I agree with Deputy Naughten.

Departmental Properties. (4 Oct 2005)

Brendan Smith: Under the affordable housing initiative my Department has identified six sites for consideration in counties Cork, Dublin, Galway and Kildare. The sites in County Cork are located in Clonakilty and in Model Farm Road in Cork city. The sites in County Dublin are located in Harcourt Terrace, Dublin city and in the townland of Backstown near Lucan. The site in County Galway is located in...

Departmental Properties. (4 Oct 2005)

Brendan Smith: I agree with Deputy Brady. He has spoken and written to us and raised it on Second Stage and Committee Stage of the Land Bill 2004. The first time I heard the terms cow plots and cow parks was when they were used by Deputy Brady in this context. I assure the Deputy that these properties, if they should change hands, will be used for the common good, for public good and community use. There...

Leaders' Questions. (4 Oct 2005)

Brendan Smith: Hear, hear.

Draft Animal Remedies Regulations 2005: Motion (Resumed). (19 Oct 2005)

Brendan Smith: That is total nonsense.

Draft Animal Remedies Regulations 2005: Motion (Resumed). (19 Oct 2005)

Brendan Smith: Who abolished the schemes in the past? It was a Fine Gael Government that abolished schemes in the 1990s. Fine Gael messed up several schemes then.

Draft Animal Remedies Regulations 2005: Motion (Resumed). (19 Oct 2005)

Brendan Smith: He cannot keep repeating these misrepresentations of the Minister's statements.