Results 821-840 of 5,550 for speaker:Martin Ferris

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Scheme: Organic Farmers Representative Body (8 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: The previous and present Governments are culpable. The delay in making payments is inexcusable because those involved in all other sectors are being paid. A figure of 75% has been paid out this month, for whatever reason. We can suspect the reason for it, but it is being paid out this month. I am delighted that is the case because everybody involved in the agricultural sector has many...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Scheme: Organic Farmers Representative Body (8 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: If one has 50 ha or 60 ha, can one apply for 60 ha under both schemes?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Scheme: Organic Farmers Representative Body (8 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: If one put 40 ha into the organic scheme-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Scheme: Organic Farmers Representative Body (8 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: Mr. Monaghan referred to the mountainous areas from west County Cork to County Donegal and suggested that in effect all animals produced in that environment are organic. For the Government to meet its 5% target, what would it take for the certification of that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Scheme: Organic Farmers Representative Body (8 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: What would it take to certify all that as an organic producing area?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Scheme: Organic Farmers Representative Body (8 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: What criteria could one suggest?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Scheme: Organic Farmers Representative Body (8 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: Everybody would benefit. The producer would-----

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beekeeping Industry (8 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: 78. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered a ban on bee imports due to the danger to the Irish bee population from disease in imported bee stocks. [35008/15]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (8 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: 196. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the up-to-date position of funding for a school (details supplied) in County Kerry which has recently received planning permission to build a new school building. [35010/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (7 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: Are they finished?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Beef Data Programme (7 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: 5. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have applied for the beef data and genomics programme; the number who have subsequently withdrawn from the programme; and if he will provide a breakdown, by county. [34453/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Beef Data Programme (7 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: I have a question regarding the number of farmers who have applied for the beef data genomics programme. There are a lot of rumours about the percentage of farmers who have withdrawn and the numbers withdrawing on a daily basis. There is certainly much confusion and maybe dissatisfaction. Could the Minister clarify this, please?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Beef Data Programme (7 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his reply. I think initially he was hoping 35,000 people would join the scheme. By 5 June around 30,000 applicants had applied. I have seen figures suggesting ten people a day were withdrawing from the scheme. Other people were saying 700 farmers had withdrawn previously. Earlier this month the Department said there...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Beef Data Programme (7 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: Certainly the information meetings are badly wanted and there is confusion. When people are very worried and confused and do not have enough information, rumours can start and that is how people start to withdraw. It is very important that those information meetings take place. All of us who are involved in politics would like to make sure people get the best out of that programme. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Beef Data Programme (7 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: The Minister said that a number of farmers are trying to get into the scheme now and cannot. Is that because the closing date is gone? Can they get in next year?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Quota (7 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: I am informed that the initial producer was and still is on the board of Glanbia. The levies that were repaid were retrospective and were only paid when the individual was caught out. It is a classic case of a fraudulent attempt to get away with more than €300,000 worth of milk, some 5.5 million litres. It is more than a year since I first raised the matter. In fairness, I have...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Quota (7 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: Retrospective payments were made but there was no sanction.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Quota (7 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: Who made the decision?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Quota (7 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: 2. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Question No. 480 of 22 September 2015, the reason, having considered all the facts, he and his Department have not recommended prosecution in this case. [34452/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Quota (7 Oct 2015)

Martin Ferris: On 4 June 2014, the Minister initiated an investigation into a milk producer having his milk collection accredited to another milk supplier. The Minister was also investigating whether the activity was being facilitated by a senior milk producer. In reply to a question that I tabled on 22 September 2015, the Minister initially stated that he was getting the Chief State Solicitor to...