Results 4,401-4,420 of 5,550 for speaker:Martin Ferris

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas (16 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: So 4,044 farmers received nothing despite the fact they were prepared to enter the scheme after consultation. Is it correct to state they had been led to believe this would be the case?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas (16 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: The documentation I received from the witnesses includes a document on compensation for land owners prepared by John Dore, who is an agricultural economist and valuer. He suggests farmers would be willing to accept €698 per hectare from the National Parks and Wildlife Service for a period of 15 years as compensation for the devaluation of land as a consequence of what has happened....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas (16 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: The population has declined rather than increased as a consequence of the work that has been done. Deputy Ó Cuív asked how long it would take to recover. Will the witnesses elaborate what they mean by a new scheme and how it would work? Would be consistent with what John Dore states in his report? If not, will the witnesses elaborate on it? I have no doubt there is a genuine...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas (16 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: There is need for recognition of the lack of achievement down through the years in terms of representation of people affected by the hen harriers. It is only in the past 12 months that there has been any impetus in terms of trying to move forward this issue. I agree with Mr. Fitzgerald that the farmers involved and not abstract farming organisations who have not served them well up to now...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Prices (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: 2. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the predictions of the Teagasc economics unit and the Irish Dairy Board for a lowering of dairy returns over the next year and the way he proposes to deal with this. [48483/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Prices (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: As this question is practically the same as the one the Minister has just dealt with, I will not dwell too much on it.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Prices (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: The Teagasc economic unit and the Irish Dairy Board have predicted that milk prices could decrease to as little as 27 cent a litre. This would be unsustainable for many farmers. I refer to many of the smaller producers, rather than the highly intensive producers. How does the Minister hope to deal with the smaller producers who could go to the wall in such circumstances?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Prices (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: I do not disagree with much of what the Minister is saying. All Deputies, including the Minister and me, have shared concerns about the effect of price volatility on weaker producers and smaller farmers. The past two years have been excellent for farmers. Dairy producers, in particular, have had a very good two years. The all-time high achieved earlier this year was a tremendous price for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Prices (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: The Minister mentioned the new pricing model in his initial response and has done so again now. I take it that this model involves processors locking in a certain amount.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Prices (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: That would be a very good idea, as it would give an element of certainty to the producer. If one third of what is produced was locked in at a sustainable price, it would assist in having a soft landing in the market and help those who are not able to withstand the volatility of the market. It is something in which I would see a great deal of merit.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Prices (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: The same happened in the sugar beet industry.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Fisheries Policy Negotiations (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: 5. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the negotiations on the Common Fisheries Policy which took place at the meeting of the Agricultural and Fisheries Council, AGRIFISH, on 15 and 16 December 2014. [48484/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Fisheries Policy Negotiations (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: At its meeting on 2 December, the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine discussed with the Minister the proposals from the Commission regarding the future of Irish fishing, cuts in quota and so forth. Following his negotiations at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 15 and 16 December, is the Minister satisfied he got the best deal possible for the Irish fishing industry...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Fisheries Policy Negotiations (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: I commend the Minister on his work, and also the industry, which played a very positive role. The Northern Ireland Minister, Ms Michelle O'Neill, also played a very positive role. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, mentioned the cuts for the Celtic Sea affecting haddock, cod and whiting, and their effect in the areas in question. Are the cuts on an annual basis?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Fisheries Policy Negotiations (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: Just for next year. Can the Minister renegotiate after next year?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Fisheries Policy Negotiations (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: Those of us from coastal communities realise the added value of fisheries in coastal communities such as Kilmore Quay, where everybody is tied in to onshore work in factories and small shops. They are all benefiting from the cod, haddock and whiting fisheries. Can the Minister assure us today that the quotas can be renegotiated after a year?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Fisheries Policy Negotiations (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: What is the position on discards? Will the Minister give us his views on that and on how the industry in question will be affected?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Fisheries Policy Negotiations (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: I have been lobbied continuously on the traditional swap between Ireland and Belgium in respect of the plaice quota in area VII, f and g. Perhaps the Minister will be able to answer my question on this. The figures I have indicate that the quota received for 2013 was 197 tonnes. Belgium was given 125 tonnes in a swap, which left 72 tonnes for the Irish vessels. In 2012, the quota was 197...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Common Fisheries Policy Negotiations (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: What do the Irish fishermen get in return?

Other Questions: Beef Industry (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: 9. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the effects on Irish beef producers of the Russian sanctions. [48285/14]