Results 1,141-1,160 of 5,550 for speaker:Martin Ferris

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Prices (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: The Teagasc economic unit and the Irish Dairy Board have predicted that milk prices could decrease to as little as 27 cent a litre. This would be unsustainable for many farmers. I refer to many of the smaller producers, rather than the highly intensive producers. How does the Minister hope to deal with the smaller producers who could go to the wall in such circumstances?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Prices (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: I do not disagree with much of what the Minister is saying. All Deputies, including the Minister and me, have shared concerns about the effect of price volatility on weaker producers and smaller farmers. The past two years have been excellent for farmers. Dairy producers, in particular, have had a very good two years. The all-time high achieved earlier this year was a tremendous price for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Prices (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: The Minister mentioned the new pricing model in his initial response and has done so again now. I take it that this model involves processors locking in a certain amount.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Prices (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: That would be a very good idea, as it would give an element of certainty to the producer. If one third of what is produced was locked in at a sustainable price, it would assist in having a soft landing in the market and help those who are not able to withstand the volatility of the market. It is something in which I would see a great deal of merit.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Milk Prices (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: The same happened in the sugar beet industry.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Milk Quota (18 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: 19. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans regarding super-levy penalties to be imposed on Irish farmers by the EU; if he will ensure these penalties will not be imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48284/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas (16 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: There is need for recognition of the lack of achievement down through the years in terms of representation of people affected by the hen harriers. It is only in the past 12 months that there has been any impetus in terms of trying to move forward this issue. I agree with Mr. Fitzgerald that the farmers involved and not abstract farming organisations who have not served them well up to now...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas (16 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: I thank Mr. Fitzgerald for his presentation and I welcome the witnesses. This is one of the biggest injustices against a section of the rural community I have come across in my time in politics. In his presentation Mr. Fitzgerald stated 169,000 ha are owned by 4,400 farmers. To my knowledge a very small percentage of them received payments for a period of time after entering into...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas (16 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: So 4,044 farmers received nothing despite the fact they were prepared to enter the scheme after consultation. Is it correct to state they had been led to believe this would be the case?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas (16 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: The documentation I received from the witnesses includes a document on compensation for land owners prepared by John Dore, who is an agricultural economist and valuer. He suggests farmers would be willing to accept €698 per hectare from the National Parks and Wildlife Service for a period of 15 years as compensation for the devaluation of land as a consequence of what has happened....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas (16 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: The population has declined rather than increased as a consequence of the work that has been done. Deputy Ó Cuív asked how long it would take to recover. Will the witnesses elaborate what they mean by a new scheme and how it would work? Would be consistent with what John Dore states in his report? If not, will the witnesses elaborate on it? I have no doubt there is a genuine...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: State Aid to Fishery and Aquaculture Sector: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (16 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: Was the take-up of the scheme representative?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: State Aid to Fishery and Aquaculture Sector: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (16 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: I thank Mr. Hayes for his presentation. He indicated that the object of the consultation is to collect stakeholders' views on the draft guidelines. I assume, therefore, that the guidelines are not yet signed off and are still up for negotiation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: State Aid to Fishery and Aquaculture Sector: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (16 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: Are the submissions the delegates have received from the Department, the joint committee and other parties compatible with the new guidelines as recommended in this paper? Will the delegates comment on the implications of these proposals for inshore fishermen? I am very concerned about the availability of funding for that sector. Mr. Hayes referred to the pots replacement scheme....

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: It is not in the legislation.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: No water charges.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: No water charges.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: Yes.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: The Minister should answer our questions.

Palestine: Motion [Private Members] (9 Dec 2014)

Martin Ferris: Before I came to the Chamber I was watching CNN and other news stations. Deputy Colreavy referred to the rendition flights through Shannon Airport. It was heartening to see elected American representatives, including Senator John McCain, publicly confirming that torture took place and that people were taken away from various countries in the Middle East and elsewhere and obviously flown...