Results 2,521-2,540 of 5,550 for speaker:Martin Ferris

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: I move amendment No. 5: In page 10, to delete lines 17 and 18 and substitute the following: " "universal social provider" means An Post and that An Post is retained as the only provider of the collection and delivery of letters.". There is much concern throughout rural Ireland, particularly among those of us who live there, about the potential downgrade of An Post. There is a dependency on...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: If my recollection is correct, during the debate on Committee Stage the Minister stated that after seven years he would have the power to extend the timescale to 12 years provided ComReg held a different view. I made the argument then and I make it again now that this is dependent on the ideological view of whoever the Minister happens to be. I recall the views of a former Minister when the...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Is that all?

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Was I speaking for two minutes?

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Members have argued this point with the Minister up and down and over and back. As I disagree with him on it, I intend to call a vote.

Written Answers — Enterprise Support Services: Enterprise Support Services (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Question 39: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to develop a vibrant and effective social enterprise sector; and the number of persons that will be employed in this sector. [21163/11]

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Question 232: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will introduce legislation to protect employees in companies under administration who remain working but who are not paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20950/11]

Leaders' Questions (20 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: The Taoiseach is coming to County Kerry.

Community Welfare Service (20 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Question 21: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position on the integration of community welfare officers into her Department, including whether it will be fully completed by September; if the necessary accommodation is available; and her plans to inform the public of the new situation. [21328/11]

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: I move amendment No. 6: In page 15, lines 35 and 36, to delete "authority for the purposes of the Directive" and substitute the following: "authority. The Minister shall reserve the right to veto decisions of the Commission where it is deemed to be in the national interest.". This amendment is self-explanatory and any Minister would, in almost all circumstances, put the national interest...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: This amendment would ensure the interests of the market do not take precedence over the social value of the service or put that vital public service at risk. We spoke last night about the value of and contribution made by that service. Opposition TDs want to ensure that service is protected and not compromised by market value. There are more important things by the market when it comes to...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: The spirit and principle of my amendment are to protect the postal service indefinitely. That is the reason I have tabled the amendment. We either have faith in politics or we do not. In his reply, the Minister said ComReg will protect the service in future, but I would dispute that. What we have seen from past regulation in other spheres has certainly not been in the national interest....

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: I move amendment No.8: In page 16, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: "(4) The Commission will take into account the unique value that the postal service has in Ireland with regard to the substantial rural population and that particular care should be taken to ensure that the interests of the market will not take precedence over, or put at risk, this vital public service which is...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: It might be the Minister some day.

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: We send many letters.

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: I concur with Deputy Ó Cuív's comments on regulators. It is an abrogation of political responsibility to give powers to regulators without giving the Minister of the day the right of veto. As we have seen in the recent past, the record of certain regulators has been disgraceful. While I accept the Minister's assurance that he will protect the postal service while he is in government and...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: The Minister could come back to the left. We could have the first Taoiseach of the left.

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: I move amendment No. 12: In page 18, to delete lines 20 to 45 and in page 19, to delete lines 1 to 18 and substitute the following: "17.—An Post is designated as the universal postal service provider.".

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Amendments Nos. 12 and 13 are totally different.

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: I move amendment No. 27: In page 31, line 1, after "provider" to insert "up to the inward mail centre".