Results 3,921-3,940 of 3,998 for speaker:Martin Kenny

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme (7 Jul 2016)

Martin Kenny: 281. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of transfer of entitlement cases held up, not completed due to suspension; the reason there is a suspension; if it is the case that this suspension is in place since May 2016; and when the suspension will be lifted (details supplied). [20222/16]

Energy Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: Energy is essential for life, for all production and consumption activities. It is necessary whether in the home or in the workplace. The supply of most energy is subject to regulation to ensure that there is continuity of flow of electricity, petroleum and fuel. Regulation plays an important role in the energy industry, and the impact of regulation reform and of the relationship between...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (29 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: As the House will be aware, Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin I met representatives of GSOC some time ago. One of the things that came up was the legislation that imposed time limits for complaints. GSOC has advised us that it may take on investigations with interconnecting issues where it has to open up new lines of inquiry arising from information coming to light owing to...

United Kingdom Referendum on European Union Membership: Statements (27 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: The treaties.

United Kingdom Referendum on European Union Membership: Statements (27 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: I also want to express my condolences to the family of Jo Cox who was murdered last week in England. It was a terrible tragedy which overshadows the tragedy of the Brexit. The Brexit vote in Britain signifies a great negativity towards the EU in Britain. It should send a message to all EU Governments as to how they operate and conduct all EU affairs. Economically, Brexit has the...

Animal Protection (in relation to hares) Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] (23 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: I see I have ten minutes, but I will not need that amount of time. While respecting the heartfelt views of the proposer, Sinn Féin does not support this Bill, which sets out to amend the Wildlife Act by proposing to ban hare coursing completely. A ban on hare coursing is not compatible with Sinn Féin policy. Our policy on this and all matters is based on motions decided at our...

Other Questions: Insurance Costs (23 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: 9. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to ensure that returned emigrants and immigrants are not discriminated against in the provision of car insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17511/16]

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: I want to ask about the Government's promise in the programme for Government to train and have more HSE speech and language therapists in place and to increase the number to 1,102, which is a 25% increase. There is a major crisis in my constituency, in particular in County Leitrim, in regard to early intervention and there is no access at all for preschool children to speech and language...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Statute of Limitations (23 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: 35. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will act to remove the blanket six-year Statute of Limitations on financial complaints, which reportedly may hinder persons whose tracker mortgages were wrongly removed from them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17510/16]

Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: I want to know if the system will be reviewed in order to open it up so there is more flexibility. This affects not only rural schools but also schools in towns which are full and where children cannot get buses to schools that are farther away.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (22 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: On page 47 of its programme, the Government states that there were will be no closure of small schools across the country. I am concerned about school transport and the system called the "nearest school rule". It has a negative impact, particularly on children in rural areas who cannot attend schools in their parishes. As a result of that and many other changes that were made under the...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised) (22 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: I welcome the Minister and congratulate him on his appointment. I congratulate also the Chairman on his appointment. I wish to raise a couple of small points. In his introduction, the Minister mentioned that in rural Ireland very few other jobs exist outside of agriculture which is one of the factors we are faced with all the time. I am conscious that the beef genomics scheme payments...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised) (22 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: Irish farming is generally considered to be in compliance with all of the relevant EU regulations and standards. Our milk and beef sectors are grass based which is unusual in the EU and yet we have one of the lowest milk prices of all member states. The price does not reflect the high standards we are expected to meet. That feeds into the whole issue about the very strict controls that we...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised) (22 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: There is frustration from the farmers’ point of view in that they work hard, but they are at the bottom of the price tables. There needs to be some acknowledgement of their frustration. When we send people to market our product, we need to know how we can move up the food chain to get a better return for the farmer. Farmers in Ireland see themselves as putting in all of the work but...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised) (22 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: One of the issues in my area with forestry is one I have raised before with the Minister and the Minister of State. In County Leitrim 17% of the land is under forestry. I believe the figure is probably closer to 20%, given the amount of land that has been planted recently. Afforestation, in itself, is fine. It is productive and generates an income for many people who plant their land....

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised) (22 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: I have two points based on my experience and that of most people I see around me. Farmers are planting their land. What we see is that a farmer with 100 acres decides to plant all of his land and so he or she ceases to farm. They give up farming their marginal and poor quality land as they can make more from the forestry grants than they will make from farming the land. That is the...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised) (22 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: That is right. We would welcome a review of the consequences. I suggest that the communities who live in these areas should have an input into the review in order to build a consensus.

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised) (22 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: I have a query about the areas of natural constraint and, in particular, what were traditionally known as the disadvantaged areas payments. There has been a certain amount of development over the years because much of this country has been designated as a disadvantaged area. I come from an place that has very marginal and mountain lands. The people there are very much of the view that...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised) (22 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: Spruce.

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 30 - Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised) (22 Jun 2016)

Martin Kenny: Will there be a special programme for that?