Results 3,461-3,480 of 5,550 for speaker:Martin Ferris

Northern Ireland Issues (6 Oct 2010)

Martin Ferris: At the outset I would like to say that regarding the bombing in Derry, Martin McGuinness made Sinn Féin's position quite clear. Such activities do nothing to advance the cause that all of us hope to see, namely, a united Ireland. The motivation behind some of those people currently involved in trying to destabilise and undermine the peace process is questionable, and our position is clear...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (5 Oct 2010)

Martin Ferris: Question 57: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of Health Service Executive posts currently unfilled, by region, as a result of the recruitment embargo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34711/10]

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (5 Oct 2010)

Martin Ferris: Question 69: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will reverse the cutbacks to the dental treatment services scheme and the dental treatment benefit scheme in view of the hardship caused to patients and the adverse consequences for dental health and for the dental profession, including the closure of practices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34710/10]

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (5 Oct 2010)

Martin Ferris: Question 410: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when early retirement scheme payment will be made (details supplied). [35038/10]

Written Answers — State Banking Sector: State Banking Sector (30 Sep 2010)

Martin Ferris: Question 24: To ask the Minister for Finance the effects on the domestic economy and the international borrowing markets of the open-ended exposure to the private liabilities of bondholders in Anglo Irish Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34064/10]

Written Answers — State Banking Sector: State Banking Sector (30 Sep 2010)

Martin Ferris: Question 78: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of staff that will be in the asset recovery bank and in the funding bank, including the executive and board structures that will be established; the person who will be heading the asset recovery bank and the funding bank; how the public interest will be represented in the banks; the remuneration structures for staff at the banks,...

Written Answers — Further Education: Further Education (29 Sep 2010)

Martin Ferris: Question 121: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will lift the cap on post leaving certificate places in order to allow post leaving certificate applicants this year to take up training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33612/10]

Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (29 Sep 2010)

Martin Ferris: Question 127: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the way she intends to address the situation whereby unqualified persons can take on substitution cover in schools. [33611/10]

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (29 Sep 2010)

Martin Ferris: Question 670: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will establish a national foot screening service as part of measures to protect against diabetes of the foot. [32786/10]

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (29 Sep 2010)

Martin Ferris: Question 1395: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will ensure that the forthcoming Budget will maintain existing levels of funding to all agencies for the arts including the Arts Council, the Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland; if she will protect local authority arts funding and make significant new funding available to the arts and cultural sector, in order to...

Economic Strategy: Motion (29 Sep 2010)

Martin Ferris: This motion starkly summarises the crisis in which the State finds itself. It has record levels of mass unemployment and all the social decay that brings. It was ironic to hear a reference to the Irish diaspora in yesterday's announcement of job creation by the Government. The Government is certainly contributing to its growth by presiding over another era of large scale emigration. The...

Written Answers — Social and Affordable Housing: Social and Affordable Housing (8 Jul 2010)

Martin Ferris: Question 28: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the local authorities have discussed the possible removal of the tenant purchase discount with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30473/10]

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (8 Jul 2010)

Martin Ferris: Question 138: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will be given an appointment at a hospital. [30900/10]

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (8 Jul 2010)

Martin Ferris: Question 434: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will consider extending the areas covered by the current rural social scheme to include urban areas and increase the remit and funding of community services programmes in view of the success of the scheme and the rising unemployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30871/10]

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Martin Ferris: My party colleagues and I came into the House today with the intention of supporting this Bill in principle. However, the Minister's responses to amendments Nos. 1 and 2 have eroded any confidence we had in the Bill such that we cannot support it at this point in time. I am very concerned about the powers given to certain people to carry out inspections without any training or qualification...

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Martin Ferris: The Minister referred to a dog breeding establishment as defined. An establishment which keeps five breeding bitches, fewer than six, on any number of premises will not come under the Act. The point I am making is that where five or more clutches of pups are produced in a calendar year in all premises, they will come under the Act. I think the Minister is missing the point.

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Martin Ferris: Given that only half an hour is left for dealing with the Bill, is the Minister prepared to accept any of the Opposition's amendments? If he is, will he indicate which ones?

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Martin Ferris: I concur with previous speakers. We are being asked to support or oppose something that is ambiguous to say the least. We do not know what it will contain or what influence the Department will have on the welfare side of the 1958 Act. This matter needs more clarity. Sinn Féin wants to be crystal clear on the detail of this.

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Martin Ferris: I concur with previous speakers. The greyhound industry is important in rural areas, especially in my constituency in north Kerry, and contributes substantially to the local economy. Those involved are most concerned about what the Minister has proposed in the Bill. It would alleviate many difficulties if we had clarification on the Minister's input on the amendment of the 1958 Act. I...

Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Martin Ferris: I move amendment No. 4: In page 4, to delete from "at which" in line 16 down to and including "purposes," in line 19 and substitute the following: "or any number of premises owned by the same proprietor where 5 or more litters of pups are produced in a calendar year.". A division along those lines would be fair to all. It would be very difficult to hide clutches of pups. Kennel clubs would...