Results 3,781-3,800 of 5,550 for speaker:Martin Ferris

Gas Regulation Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Sep 2013)

Martin Ferris: I shall take five minutes.

Gas Regulation Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Sep 2013)

Martin Ferris: The purpose of this legislation is to allow for the sale of Bord Gáis Energy, a division of Bord Gáis Éireann. Sinn Féin is totally opposed to this. We also oppose splitting Bord Gáis into two companies, one of which will be the network company in control of pipes, maintenance, etc., which will be retained in State ownership while the second is the energy company...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Stocking Densities (24 Sep 2013)

Martin Ferris: 50. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the statistics on stocking density do not support the claim that higher rates of single farm payment reflect much higher levels of productivity; if he will take this into account when deciding on which model to use to determine the new farm payments system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39616/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Stocking Densities (24 Sep 2013)

Martin Ferris: The statistics on stocking density show significant differences in respect of those in receipt of higher payments and those on lower payments. For instance, farmers with an average single farm payment of €282 per hectare have an average stocking density of 1.47, whereas those in receipt of an average payment of €1,180 per hectare have an average stocking density of 1.92....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Stocking Densities (24 Sep 2013)

Martin Ferris: I welcome what the Minister said about bringing the payments closer together and trying to look after weaker farmers to allow them to be viable and survive. Is capping the payment at €150,000 written stone or can it be negotiated? Do individual states have the flexibility to introduce their own cap on payments? It is not right for anyone to get more than €100,000. We should...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Reopening (24 Sep 2013)

Martin Ferris: 53. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the scheme with which he intends to replace REP scheme 4. [39671/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Reopening (24 Sep 2013)

Martin Ferris: The importance of REPS 4 and all of these schemes, particularly in the west and areas in which there is more marginal land, has meant the survival of the family farm. The Minister has referred to the environmental schemes and the new scheme he hopes to bring in, but there will be a gap of approximately six or eight months. What will happen to people who will have no scheme payment coming to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Reopening (24 Sep 2013)

Martin Ferris: We are talking about the more dependent section of farming. In last year's budget we saw cuts to the farm assist scheme. Will the Minister encourage the relevant Minister to ensure the cuts to the farm assist scheme are reversed as many people will find themselves out of pocket to quite a substantial degree because of what is coming down the road?

Private Members' Business - Cuts in Education: Motion [Private Members] (24 Sep 2013)

Martin Ferris: Éamon de Valera, the founder of the Fianna Fáil Party, whose members are absent, made a speech in the 1930s in which he stated that Fianna Fáil would no longer run a State in which children are reared for export. We all know what happened after that. Like the current Government, the former Fianna Fáil-led Government, decided to put the interests of anonymous bondholders...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fodder Crisis (24 Sep 2013)

Martin Ferris: 100. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has put in place contingency plans in the event of bad weather this winter causing another animal food crisis. [39508/13]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Workplace Safety (24 Sep 2013)

Martin Ferris: 291. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the health and safety investigation into the recent tragedy at the Aughoose tunnel in County Mayo has been completed and the findings of same. [39679/13]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Reopening (24 Sep 2013)

Martin Ferris: 473. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the opening of the agri-environment options scheme for applicants. [39807/13]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Expenditure (26 Sep 2013)

Martin Ferris: 57. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost savings he will make in 2013 in charging the full cost of private care in public hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40051/13]

Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Martin Ferris: Given that the Minister for Education and Skills is beside the Taoiseach, I ask that the Taoiseach try to ensure Bus Éireann is contacted by the Department of Education and Skills in regard to five exchange students in the Ashdee area of north Kerry who are not able to get on a bus, despite having registered for it, due to the fact they were not in the country in time to pay their money....

Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Martin Ferris: I have been in contact with the Department and Bus Éireann in this regard. They have told me they need a report so this can be sorted out.

Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Martin Ferris: I have already given the information.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Organisations (1 Oct 2013)

Martin Ferris: 71. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has discussed with the Department of Finance the tax relief for donations to sporting bodies contained in section 41 of the 2002 Finance Bill; his views on the scheme; and if it has succeeded in its objectives of maximising donations to sporting bodies and generally contributing to the funding of sport. [40893/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Martin Ferris: 111. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a framework for assessment of any proposed policy change by public transport companies which would ensure that the social responsibility of these companies are upheld and service is maintained to an acceptable standard in all cases. [40912/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Economic Importance of Cattle and Sheep Sectors: Discussion (1 Oct 2013)

Martin Ferris: I thank Professor Renwick and Mr. Bryan for their presentations. The decline in the suckler cow as a consequence of the terrible winter, spring and early summer we had is quite alarming. There needs to be an incentive to get people back into that sector in the interests of developing the industry. If a sizeable number of people exit the suckler cow business, it will have dire consequences....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Economic Importance of Cattle and Sheep Sectors: Discussion (1 Oct 2013)

Martin Ferris: Mr. Bryan referred to New Zealand and the milk quota. Is it his opinion that abolition of the milk quota would not bring about any great benefits?