Results 2,781-2,800 of 5,550 for speaker:Martin Ferris
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: It is very unfair to us when we are trying to debate this in good faith with the Minister and he will not tell us what he means by "financial hardship". It does not make sense. I do not wish us to continue in this manner. There was great hope when the Government was elected in February of last year. People said that we needed a change. They were sick of what went before. The rhetoric in...
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: Now comes the septic tank issue, which is of significant concern to people in rural Ireland. We want to get away from the Paddy the Plasterer politics that we endured in the House for a long time. The Minister has an opportunity. When he gets to his feet in five or ten minutes' time, he can tell us what he means by "no financial hardship". He can allay many of the concerns of those who...
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: I am glad to hear that.
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: I welcome the Minister's public statement of it today, but I want him to state that there will be no cost to anyone who must undertake remedial work to upgrade his or her septic tank. I reaffirm the absolute commitment of every Member who has spoken to good, uncontaminated water. We will support whatever remedial works are necessary to bring that about, but it cannot be at a cost to these...
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: All of these issues must be clarified by the Minister. It is up to him to do what is necessary and to remove this ambiguity and suspicion. He should not underestimate rural people's anger. Is he listening to me?
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: The Minister is from a large rural constituency, as is Deputy Tom Hayes. From the meetings in his constituency, the Deputy will be well aware of how people feel.
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: If I could be allowed to finish, please. The Minister must clarify the issues I have raised. He could clear up everything today, we could return to our constituencies tonight, call meetings for tomorrow night and Monday night and tell people that he told us-----
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: If the Minister called meetings, we would attend them. We could tell people that the Minister told us he would introduce a grant procedure-----
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: I want the Minister to put this issue to bed. Will he let us all, Government and Opposition Members alike, go back to our constituents and assure them there will be no financial hardship arising from these measures and that grants will be made available to those who need them? Will he also confirm that the standards to be applied will not be brought into question down the road? He is the...
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: We need honest answers from the Minister. What does he mean when he says there will be no financial hardship? Will a grant facility be put in place? What are the standards that will apply in respect of inspections? If he answers these questions clearly, he will address people's concerns to their satisfaction.
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: The point is that we do not know what the standards will be.
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: The Minister is being disingenuous.
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: We asked the Minister for a definition.
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: The Minister is being disingenuous.
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: I asked a question and I am entitled to a reply.
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: The Minister should publish them now.
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: Publish them now in order that we might debate them.
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: I am not a member of the committee.
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: I am no wiser after what the Minister said.
- Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (25 Jan 2012)
Martin Ferris: It is not my problem, it is the Minister's problem.