Results 3,881-3,900 of 5,550 for speaker:Martin Ferris

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Annual Report 2012: Discussion with Coillte (19 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: I thank the delegates for their presentation. There has been considerable concern in this House and outside over the future of Coillte or parts thereof for some considerable time. I can never seem to get a full answer to the question of whether Coillte has carried out a complete survey of the minerals contained in the lands it owns. Would it be fair to say that they are in the ownership of...

Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Disputes (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: Yesterday morning I went to Kilmore Quay where I met the O'Flaherty boat owners and crew members and people associated with ancillary industries in the area. Some 170 people are out of work. Most of them are self-employed and can receive no assistance from the State. Some 15 boats have been ordered ashore and tied up. The consequences are alarming and disturbing for the community and the...

Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Disputes (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: Considering the quota from last year to this year, there is a marked decline in the order of approximately 400 tonnes in megrim in area seven. A fisherman is down approximately 400 tonnes with monkfish as well in area seven. There has been a reduction in the quota.

Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Disputes (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: I am talking specifically about what these boats were fishing for. The Minister is also aware of the problems surrounding discard and bycatch, all of which are ongoing and unresolved, although I understand they will be resolved over a number of years. These fishermen are victims at this point though. We need to see equality and fairness. I do not care what facts and figures are put out...

Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Disputes (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: I do not care what word we use for people coming in a bit over quota or with bycatch or discard.

Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Disputes (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: I cannot see how they can be seen as criminals.

Government Decision on Exiting Programme of Financial Support: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: We must be relieved that the Government is not going for a second bailout at this time. Sinn Féin has always taken that position, but there has been a carnival of spin about the troika leaving these shores, as if our troubles would go with them, along with our young people. We would love to see the back of the troika, if we felt it would make any difference. The reality is that the...

Government Decision on Exiting Programme of Financial Support: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: I felt the same way when listening to the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton.

Government Decision on Exiting Programme of Financial Support: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: If one wants to hear revisionism, one should listen to what Deputy Burton stated here today. Despite that other media-fest last summer after the European meeting that the Tánaiste told us was a game-changer, all that has happened is that our unpayable and unfair banking debt has been turned into sovereign debt, but the much-praised European Stability Mechanism will not step in to save...

Youth Employment: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: The economic recession has had a devastating effect on people throughout the State, but I argue that those living in rural Ireland are suffering more. The social consequences of the number of young people leaving rural Ireland are having a desperate and devastating effect, not just on themselves and their immediate families but on grandparents and communities as a whole. Young people living...

Youth Employment: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: We have seen the queues which form in Dublin when jobs in Canada or Australia are advertised. Cutting unemployment assistance for young people is forcing emigration.

Youth Employment: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: This is why they are leaving the country.

Youth Employment: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: This is why it is so difficult to get into a post-leaving certificate course. Young people are crying out for training or anything which will improve their chances of employment. A youth guarantee scheme must be adequately funded and must take into account the added difficulties faced by young people living in the countryside or small towns throughout the State. Young people in rural...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Challenges in Urban Belfast: Discussion (21 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: I thank each of the witnesses for the presentations, which were informative, measured and well put. The witnesses referred to the consequences of social deprivation. I maintain that we have social deprivation in the South and that it is equally bad and, in many instances, possibly worse. I believe the problem is sectarianism added to social deprivation. That becomes an excuse or the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Ex-Prisoners and Conflict Transformation: Discussion with Community Foundation for Northern Ireland (21 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: I thank the delegates for their presentations. I share a good deal in common with them as I am a former political prisoner. I find it very annoying at times when people refer to people's past in terms of they having a criminal record. I do not accept that and I never will. All my actions, and I assume all the actions of people who were involved in and combated the conflict, were...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Ex-Prisoners and Conflict Transformation: Discussion with Community Foundation for Northern Ireland (21 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: I am acquainted with the work they do, much of which is done at great risk to themselves. The group can come in an settle matters when things are about to implode. It can be difficult work and entails courageous action on their behalf. As regards the lack of funding, if this committee can make recommendations for the group we will not be found wanting in that regard. Perhaps the group...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2013: Motions (26 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: I thank the Minister for his annual report to the committee. The greyhound industry and its contribution to the rural economy in particular to small farmers is very significant. I draw a clear distinction between the greyhound industry and the horse racing industry in so far as greyhound racing is a poor man's sport, in my view. It provides employment and the greyhound tracks all over the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2013: Motions (26 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: The Minister gave a figure of €1.2 million on an average of 3,500 attending what I take it is horse racing.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2013: Motions (26 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: What about the greyhound side of it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2013: Motions (26 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: In terms of the greyhound side, there are greyhound tracks in most parts of the country and the prize money is very small.