Results 1-20 of 17,642 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Hospital Inquiry. (3 Feb 2004)

Brendan Smith: I am very grateful to the Chair for giving us an opportunity to speak about this important subject. I am glad the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, is present in the House as we approach the midnight hour to hear our concerns. At the outset, I extend my sincere sympathy to Brian and Rosemary Sheridan and their family on the death of their daughter, Frances. The North Eastern...

Standing Orders: Motion. (10 Feb 2004)

Brendan Smith: Hear, hear.

Industrial Disputes. (19 Oct 2004)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Deputies for their good wishes on my appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food and I am glad to have the opportunity to respond to this debate. The poultry and egg sector is an extremely important part of the overall agri-food industry. The sector has a farm gate value of €150 million and provides valuable employment throughout the country,...

Seanad: Planning and Related Issues: Statements (Resumed). (28 Oct 2004)

Brendan Smith: In Monaghan too.

Food Safety Standards. (23 Nov 2004)

Brendan Smith: My Department and two other defendants are currently being sued in the High Court by a company in Drogheda which had been contracted by one of the defendants, but not by my Department, to store tallow derived from specified risk material. The plaintiff alleges that it was unaware of the nature of the tallow put into storage at its premises. The specific allegation to which the Deputy referred...

Farm Retirement Scheme. (27 Jan 2005)

Brendan Smith: A number of issues have been raised from time to time arising from the scheme of early retirement from farming. Those that come up most often are the fact that the rate of pension is not index-linked and the requirement that early retirement pensions can be paid only as a supplement to any national retirement pension payable to the participant. It is not accurate to describe these as...

Farm Retirement Scheme. (27 Jan 2005)

Brendan Smith: A number of groups purport to represent retired farmers with special concerns about the early retirement scheme. The Minister, Deputy Coughlan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, met some of these groups and I met a deputation from the mid-west in the Department some time ago who outlined their concerns. Deputy James Breen referred to comments by the former Minister, Deputy Walsh. The...

Farm Retirement Scheme. (27 Jan 2005)

Brendan Smith: That concession was sought and granted by the Minister and the departmental officials after protracted and long negotiations with the European Commission. The Minister, Deputy Coughlan, the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, and I have listened to the concerns outlined by various groups. We had meetings with senior officials from the companies outlining and detailing certain matters. We...

Farm Retirement Scheme. (27 Jan 2005)

Brendan Smith: The Department has been advised that the scheme is properly and legally constituted. It does not inhibit the constitutional rights of any individual farmer or landowner.

Agri-food Sector: Motion (Resumed). (2 Feb 2005)

Brendan Smith: Last night, my Government colleague, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, outlined clearly and in precise terms what this Government and the Department are doing to promote the sustainable development of a competitive, consumer focused agri-food sector at every level. I listened patiently to Opposition attempts to create the impression that no investment has been made in...

Agri-food Sector: Motion (Resumed). (2 Feb 2005)

Brendan Smith: The Minister stated that nothing is being spent.

Northern Ireland Issues: Motion. (8 Feb 2005)

Brendan Smith: I wish to share time with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, by agreement.

Northern Ireland Issues: Motion. (8 Feb 2005)

Brendan Smith: I am glad to have the opportunity to contribute on the important motion before the House. The Taoiseach and the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, outlined clearly in their contributions the full commitment the Government has given to the advancement of the peace process in recent years. Both cited the valuable contribution made by other political parties in the House and on the island. Deputy...

Job Losses. (8 Feb 2005)

Brendan Smith: I am aware that Minch Malt Limited is to close its malting plant at Banagher, County Offaly, and its two intake points at Tullamore, County Offaly, and Borrisokane, County Tipperary, with effect from September 2005. There will be 19 job losses in total. I am concerned about the impact these job losses will have on families in the area, but the decision to close the Banagher malting plant by...

Northern Ireland Issues: Motion. (1 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: I commend this motion in support of the courageous stand being taken by the McCartney family in their search for justice for their murdered brother, Robert, a family man and respected member of the Short Strand community. The family has shown remarkable strength and determination in what could only be considered as the most difficult of circumstances. They deserve the full support of this...

Potato Sector. (2 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: The area of potatoes grown in Ireland for the years requested is as follows: Year Hectares 1970 56,835 1980 41,583 1990 24,300 2000 13,173 2004 12,604 The issue regarding the sale of 4,500 tonnes of stored potatoes does not come within my remit and is a matter for resolution between the growers involved and the company with whom they carry on business.

Potato Sector. (2 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: Only last Thursday I spoke at the IFA-Teagasc national conference on potatoes and I met individual farmers both before and after my address. The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, and I have had a number of meetings with different stakeholders in regard to the potato industry. We recognise that it is a very valuable and important part of...

Potato Sector. (2 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: Yes. We are giving particular attention to the seed certification sector. We have had meetings ad nauseam with the different stakeholders. Furthermore, we have agreed with Bord Bia a specific promotion this year for potato products.

Animal Diseases. (2 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: It is a major research centre.

Food Industry. (2 Mar 2005)

Brendan Smith: I reject every comment and submission the Deputy has made. He is making allegations that are totally without foundation. Obviously, Fine Gael has changed policy in recent years in that, when Bord Glas was amalgamated with Bord Bia, the party vehemently opposed the proposal. Now it is advocating a greater rationalisation of organisations. In recent years, Bord Bia has undertaken excellent work...