Results 3,021-3,040 of 5,550 for speaker:Martin Ferris

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (20 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: The spirit and principle of my amendment are to protect the postal service indefinitely. That is the reason I have tabled the amendment. We either have faith in politics or we do not. In his reply, the Minister said ComReg will protect the service in future, but I would dispute that. What we have seen from past regulation in other spheres has certainly not been in the national interest....

Community Welfare Service (20 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Question 21: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position on the integration of community welfare officers into her Department, including whether it will be fully completed by September; if the necessary accommodation is available; and her plans to inform the public of the new situation. [21328/11]

Leaders' Questions (20 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: The Taoiseach is coming to County Kerry.

Written Answers — Enterprise Support Services: Enterprise Support Services (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Question 39: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to develop a vibrant and effective social enterprise sector; and the number of persons that will be employed in this sector. [21163/11]

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Question 232: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will introduce legislation to protect employees in companies under administration who remain working but who are not paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20950/11]

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: I move amendment No. 5: In page 10, to delete lines 17 and 18 and substitute the following: " "universal social provider" means An Post and that An Post is retained as the only provider of the collection and delivery of letters.". There is much concern throughout rural Ireland, particularly among those of us who live there, about the potential downgrade of An Post. There is a dependency on...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: If my recollection is correct, during the debate on Committee Stage the Minister stated that after seven years he would have the power to extend the timescale to 12 years provided ComReg held a different view. I made the argument then and I make it again now that this is dependent on the ideological view of whoever the Minister happens to be. I recall the views of a former Minister when the...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Is that all?

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Was I speaking for two minutes?

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Members have argued this point with the Minister up and down and over and back. As I disagree with him on it, I intend to call a vote.

Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: I welcome this Bill and the Government indication of support in so far as it represents at least some attempt to address the issues arising from the High Court judgment. That contrasts with the response of the Taoiseach last week when he said there would be no appeal by the State to the judgment. As things stand, the way is open for employers to disregard wage agreements and orders that...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: I will not oppose the amendments. There is need to have funding available for TG4, the work it does and what it represents, which is, even though I am not a fluent Irish speaker, something that is very Irish and national. Regarding the broadcasting sector, I concur with a great deal of what Deputy Ó Cuív said, particularly regarding what is broadcast to us on a daily basis. It appears the...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: I move amendment No. 4: In page 9, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following: " "inward mail centre" is the last centralised automated processing location prior to transmission to the distribution centre;". As the Minister did not accept this amendment on Committee Stage, I am tabling it again on Report Stage to ensure post will be delivered to recipients rather than taken from a...

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 (Seanad): Motion to Instruct the Committee (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: What amendment are we discussing?

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 (Seanad): Motion to Instruct the Committee (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: No, I am not the next speaker

Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010 (Seanad): Motion to Instruct the Committee (19 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: When we were being briefed on the Bill, both Deputy Ó Cuív and I asked that this section would be kept separate and we were prepared to facilitate its passage through the House without debate. It would ensure funding for TG4. The station has been invaluable throughout the island over recent years, particularly with its historical perspective. There have been fantastic re-enactments of...

Written Answers — Expenditure Reviews: Expenditure Reviews (14 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Question 14: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has discussed his instruction to heads of Departments, to include further human resource or structural reforms beyond the Croke Park agreement proposals for cost saving measures under the comprehensive review of expenditure, with trade unions signed up to Croke Park or with the implementation body. [20332/11]

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (14 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Question 93: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school transport routes that will be affected after September by the changes in the school transport scheme. [20411/11]

Written Answers — School Transport: School Transport (14 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Question 94: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school transport routes in counties Limerick and Kerry that will be affected after September by the changes in the school transport scheme. [20413/11]

Croke Park Agreement (14 Jul 2011)

Martin Ferris: Question 6: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if public service outputs, identified for outsourcing by Department heads on completion of the comprehensive review of expenditure, will be consistent with the Service Delivery Options Principles of the Croke Park Agreement. [20333/11]