Results 1,981-2,000 of 5,550 for speaker:Martin Ferris

Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Joint Sub-Committee on Fisheries: Aquaculture and Tourism: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: I thank all those who contributed. This is a welcome development. Their presentations were very informative for those of us who deal with this sector. On a lighter note, there are two football teams south of Kenmare. There are Cork ringers who play for Castletownbere, for Kenmare and for Tuosist. My colleague knows what I am talking about. One can never trust those Cork fellows.

Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Joint Sub-Committee on Fisheries: Aquaculture and Tourism: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: The most obvious point that jumps out at me from the presentations is that there is no cohesive plan. I have been involved in this sector for most of my life but it seems that the powers that be never treated the fishing sector with the interest it deserved and never made an effort to realise the potential that lies within the sector. The people from the islands and others referred to the...

Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Joint Sub-Committee on Fisheries: Aquaculture and Tourism: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: I am in the same position.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (28 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he discussed issues which are directly affecting the Irish peace process and the difficulties that have been experienced recently with loyalist protest, with the American Secretary of State John Kerry, during their meeting on 18 March. [15526/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Food Labelling (28 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the proposal by the Dutch government to ask retail chains in the Netherlands to state the origin of products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights; and if he will consider following the Dutch Government’s example. [15532/13]

Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (27 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: On Committee Stage there was a significant debate on this issue and I am glad to see the Minister has moved some way towards addressing it. That is welcome.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (27 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he intends to respond to the official data which indicates that overseas visitors to the Republic of Ireland were flat for 2012 when compared with 2011; his plans to ensure growth as opposed to a flattening out or deterioration in the number of overseas visitors for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15309/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (27 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he acknowledges the unique and rich history of Cobh, County Cork and the town’s potential to become one of the main tourist destinations outside of Dublin; the reason thus far no plans have been put in place by his Department to develop it as an significant tourist destination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15313/13]

Other Questions: Coillte Lands (26 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: I agree fully that the management of the recreational sites has been hugely beneficial to ordinary citizens and from a tourist perspective. However, if the sale of the commercial entity, in terms of harvesting rights, comes into conflict with the recreational entity, how does the Minister propose to deal with the matter? He has stated that as of now the intention is to protect this aspect...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes Payments (26 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: Payments of over €500,000 to Larry Goodman's company and €680,000 to Abbott cannot be defended. At a previous Question Time the Minister expressed support for the capping of such payments at €100,000, but it now looks as if it will be €150,000. Did the Minister receive support from any other member state for this proposed cap? Did he push for it? Has he given...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes Payments (26 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: It is welcome that the Minister is moving towards redistribution. However, I am concerned that the fairness of the redistribution might be lost because of pressure being exerted by other interest groups. We need to keep as many small family farms in rural Ireland as we can. I would like to see the Minister's model that he has used in the negotiations. I hope it takes cognisance of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes Payments (26 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of SFP and other Common Agricultural Policy payments that are paid to registered companies not directly involved in farm production; and if he will support the ending of such payments. [15061/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes Payments (26 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: I thank the Minister for his reply. I tabled this question because of the disproportionate amount of money paid to a small percentage of those who are entitled to payments. It underlines the unbalanced way in which payments are distributed. Over recent weeks we have heard derogatory remarks made about small producers, small family farms and so forth to the effect that they are not...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Labelling (26 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure that food processors and transfers are obliged in future to report the results of tests that they conduct themselves and which indicate irregularities or contamination. [14996/13]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Labelling (26 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he supports the proposal to introduce new legislation, in view of the food contamination cases, to tighten up traceability and country of origin labelling. [14668/13]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Home Help Service Provision (26 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the number of home help hours delivered in Co.Kerry in 2010, 2011, 2012 and the number that will be delivered in 2013. [14758/13]

Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Joint Sub-Committee on Fisheries: Aquaculture and Tourism: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: I thank Ms Campion for her presentation. I live in a coastal community where sea-angling and angling from the shore contribute significantly to the local economy. I fully understand and appreciate the presentation on the benefits of this and the knock-on effect especially when tournaments are run. That brings people into Fenit, and Banna Beach and gives a great boost to the local economy....

Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Joint Sub-Committee on Fisheries: Aquaculture and Tourism: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: It is illegal to fish bass commercially yet EU trawlers are allowed to catch bass off our coast. It is a point of contention with commercial Irish fishermen that people from other EU countries are allowed to take bass from Irish waters but our fishing fleet is not allowed to do that. Deputy Ó Cuív mentioned the issue of support for people going into the industry, particularly...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Contracts (21 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the fact that the State awarded Ernst and Young almost €7 million in public contracts in 2011 and 2012, despite the fact the company has an investigation pending from CARB regarding its role as Anglo Irish Bank’s auditors before and during the banking crisis. [14078/13]

Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Joint Sub-Committee on Fisheries: Aquaculture and Tourism: Discussion with Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (20 Mar 2013)

Martin Ferris: I read a newspaper report today which highlighted the fact that planning permission was refused in Nova Scotia because of possible contamination of wild salmon by sea lice. Does the Department wish to comment?