Results 4,761-4,780 of 5,550 for speaker:Martin Ferris

Social Welfare Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: Sinn Féin is not going to object to a Bill that puts some money in some people's pockets, even if the sum is paltry, but the general approach would not be ours. My attitude is that it is better than nothing, but that is about it. The Labour Party should be ashamed, but we have stopped expecting that as they hang on for dear life to government hoping that somehow, by the time the...

Social Welfare Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: I do not know if the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, or any of the people living in a bubble in this House ever applied for a back-to-school allowance but the hoops that people have to jump through to get it are difficult to negotiate. The Labour Party and Fine Gael cut the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance for three budgets in a row. They...

Social Welfare Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: Do they really think the people are fooled by that? Do they really think that people are that stupid that they do not know that they are electioneering? Their miserly measures do not hide the cruelty of this Government, which chose to cut illness benefit and the treatment benefit scheme. It took measures like cutting the grants for hearing aids, mainly for elderly people. It took away the...

Travellers' Rights: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (4 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: It is a shame for us that the Carrickmines tragedy took place but if it means that some improvement will happen in the lives of, and attitudes to, Travellers it might be some comfort to the Lynch, Connors and Gilbert families and the wider Traveller community in dealing with their loss. I offer my sincere condolences to the members of the community here tonight and to the wider Traveller...

Topical Issue Debate: Educational Projects (5 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: No, he has asked me to make the presentation. Unfortunately, he was obliged to return to County Kerry and is unable to be present.

Topical Issue Debate: Educational Projects (5 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: I thank the Acting Chairman; that is very decent. Deputy Healy-Rae, the Minister of State and I are no strangers to the position in which Kerry Life Skills finds itself. We also are aware of the tremendous work it does in delivering social, personal and health education support to primary and secondary school students. It works in partnership with schools, families, communities and other...

Topical Issue Debate: Educational Projects (5 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am very disappointed that the line Minister cannot find €83,500, which is less than any single Deputy in this Dáil receives, and which could be used to benefit many young people in 119 primary schools and 18 secondary schools. When one considers the money that is required, I note the organisation is putting up 51% of the funding...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Ambulance Service Provision (5 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: 172. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is paralysed from the chest down is transported by ambulance from the person's home to the Mater Hospital in Dublin 7 on 5 November 2015. [38712/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: DART Underground and Expansion Projects: National Transport Authority (5 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: I would like to come back to the Kerry Flyer issue and the loss of five operators who had served the school transport system excellently for a number of years. As the tendering process is about to commence again, it is possible the other seven contractors may lose their contracts also if this is allowed to continue. The main argument centres on the use of public money by Kerry Flyer. A sum...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: DART Underground and Expansion Projects: National Transport Authority (5 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: So it is possible-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: DART Underground and Expansion Projects: National Transport Authority (5 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: So the money in question could have been used for operational non-wage funding.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: DART Underground and Expansion Projects: National Transport Authority (5 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: Does Ms Graham not think it would be prudent of the authority to seek assurances regarding how the money in question is spent? I ask that question in the context of the need to examine the unequal playing pitch that is a feature of the tendering process. For example, bus operators who do not enjoy State funding and do not have the ability to enjoy charitable status are competing in a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: DART Underground and Expansion Projects: National Transport Authority (5 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: Is Ms Graham aware that in a letter dated 29 September, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission said it is preparing practical guidance for policymakers to assist them in assessing proposals which may have implications for competition? I understand that this guidance could relate to instances in which businesses receive assistance under social policy schemes, such as the community...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: DART Underground and Expansion Projects: National Transport Authority (5 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: It has had none.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: DART Underground and Expansion Projects: National Transport Authority (5 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: Not related to this.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: DART Underground and Expansion Projects: National Transport Authority (5 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: Does the NTA intend to consult the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission on this matter in light of what it has heard today?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: DART Underground and Expansion Projects: National Transport Authority (5 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: I have one further question. Will the NTA consult the European Competition Authority to find out whether the funding that is provided to Kerry Flyer by the NTA and other bodies can be scrutinised to ensure it does not distort the competition between private operators and Kerry Flyer?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: DART Underground and Expansion Projects: National Transport Authority (5 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: Will the NTA seek advice on whether the current arrangement is compliant under the European competition authority?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: DART Underground and Expansion Projects: National Transport Authority (5 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: Okay. I thank Ms Graham.

Order of Business (10 Nov 2015)

Martin Ferris: I am here.