Results 1,661-1,680 of 5,550 for speaker:Martin Ferris

Youth Employment: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: The economic recession has had a devastating effect on people throughout the State, but I argue that those living in rural Ireland are suffering more. The social consequences of the number of young people leaving rural Ireland are having a desperate and devastating effect, not just on themselves and their immediate families but on grandparents and communities as a whole. Young people living...

Government Decision on Exiting Programme of Financial Support: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: We must be relieved that the Government is not going for a second bailout at this time. Sinn Féin has always taken that position, but there has been a carnival of spin about the troika leaving these shores, as if our troubles would go with them, along with our young people. We would love to see the back of the troika, if we felt it would make any difference. The reality is that the...

Government Decision on Exiting Programme of Financial Support: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: I felt the same way when listening to the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton.

Government Decision on Exiting Programme of Financial Support: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: If one wants to hear revisionism, one should listen to what Deputy Burton stated here today. Despite that other media-fest last summer after the European meeting that the Tánaiste told us was a game-changer, all that has happened is that our unpayable and unfair banking debt has been turned into sovereign debt, but the much-praised European Stability Mechanism will not step in to save...

Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Disputes (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: Considering the quota from last year to this year, there is a marked decline in the order of approximately 400 tonnes in megrim in area seven. A fisherman is down approximately 400 tonnes with monkfish as well in area seven. There has been a reduction in the quota.

Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Disputes (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: I am talking specifically about what these boats were fishing for. The Minister is also aware of the problems surrounding discard and bycatch, all of which are ongoing and unresolved, although I understand they will be resolved over a number of years. These fishermen are victims at this point though. We need to see equality and fairness. I do not care what facts and figures are put out...

Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Disputes (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: I do not care what word we use for people coming in a bit over quota or with bycatch or discard.

Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Disputes (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: I cannot see how they can be seen as criminals.

Topical Issue Debate: Fisheries Disputes (20 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: Yesterday morning I went to Kilmore Quay where I met the O'Flaherty boat owners and crew members and people associated with ancillary industries in the area. Some 170 people are out of work. Most of them are self-employed and can receive no assistance from the State. Some 15 boats have been ordered ashore and tied up. The consequences are alarming and disturbing for the community and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Annual Report 2012: Discussion with Coillte (19 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: I thank the delegates for their presentation. There has been considerable concern in this House and outside over the future of Coillte or parts thereof for some considerable time. I can never seem to get a full answer to the question of whether Coillte has carried out a complete survey of the minerals contained in the lands it owns. Would it be fair to say that they are in the ownership of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Annual Report 2011: Discussion with Marine Institute (19 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: I congratulate the delegates on the tremendously exciting discovery at the Goban Spur. I am trying to figure out how oysters can survive and spawn in these water temperatures and at such depths. It seems to go against much of what fishermen know. Will the delegates elaborate on the discovery and its potential? With the shelf wall around the Porcupine Bank and further south down to the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Charges (19 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: 720. To ask the Minister for Health if it is normal practice for public hospitals to send accident and emergency bills to the next of kin of those who die as a result of road traffic accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49588/13]

Local Government Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: There is no doubt that our system of local government needed overhauling and we would not argue otherwise. Local government is one of the most important of any type of democracy and if it was properly reformed it would have a good deal to offer. Successive Governments have talked about the need for reform and then used that concept to cut the heart and soul out of the system. There has...

Business of Dáil (14 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: This is a terrible way to do business. In ten minutes, an announcement will be made with five minutes allocated to Opposition parties to respond without even knowing what is the announcement. It is disgraceful and the Government is treating the House with contempt given it can come in here and do this without accountability. It is a bad way to do business and it sets a bad example. This...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sugar Industry (14 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: I welcome that people are attempting to make this happen. It would appear from the Minister's reply that those attempts are credible and that the project is being advanced. The Minister mentioned that the State would not provide financial support. I ask that if some support is required to get it over the line the Minister would reconsider that decision. I am not suggesting that this will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sugar Industry (14 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: 5. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding restarting the beet industry as a result of the proposed end of the beet quota in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48507/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sugar Industry (14 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: We in Sinn Féin, and many others, totally opposed the closure of the sugar beet industry. It should never have been privatised but should have remained in public ownership. That industry served rural Ireland very well. Sugar beet should have been retained as a rotation crop for corn and wheat producers. There are encouraging signs at the moment, so can the Minister provide an update...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Trade Agreements (14 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: 2. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the health information Canadian beef and pork producers will be obliged to provide before their exports will be allowed onto the Irish market. [48506/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Trade Agreements (14 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: The Canada-European Union Free Trade Agreement, CETA, was welcomed by the Canadian establishment and particularly by the Canadian Prime Minister. It means the removal of all tariffs from much Canadian produce on the EU market. What will this mean for Irish industry, particularly farming? I recollect that when John Bryan was chairman of the Irish Farmers' Association, IFA, livestock...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Trade Agreements (14 Nov 2013)

Martin Ferris: What will it mean for Ireland?