Results 46,141-46,160 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 120 together. There are a variety of differing and complex factors and not just cost related, which might influence a decision to relocate all or part of a firm's functions. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the number of jobs which may have been lost to more competitive economies. In addition to relative wage rates and other cost factors,...

Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy will be aware that sections 48 and 49 of the Consumer Protection Act 2007 seek to restrict the manner in which traders impose additional charges on consumers solely by reason of the method of payment chosen by the consumer. This issue first arose in the course of the passage of the Consumer Protection Bill through the Oireachtas. An amendment was proposed in the Seanad which...

Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I share the views of the Deputy regarding the unacceptability of these surcharges. During the course of the discussion and debate on the Bill in the Houses, a specific Senator raised the surcharge issue and pleaded with us to include a provision on it in the Bill. As the Deputy will understand, the timeframe was not as long or as wide as one would have liked in terms of going into the...

Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: We did, of course. We then sought a public consultation on the sections because many people, external to Parliament, felt that they should have a say on the matter and be consulted on the provisions of these sections. My own view is that Parliament is supreme in these matters, ultimately, but we facilitated the consultation. In the course of that consultation, detailed questions arose...

Job Losses. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The manufacturing sector in Ireland has evolved noticeably since 2000 in terms of the composition of industry and the nature of activities and is likely to continue to do so. Manufacturing continues to be a significant employer accounting directly for 11% of total employment and a significant amount of associated services employment. In order to sustain and grow the sector, the Irish-based...

Job Losses. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The question dealt with the manufacturing sector and I was anxious to outline the correct position, which is important.

Job Losses. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: Sometimes people use general and simplistic catchphrases such as "manufacturing in decline". Due to the high capitalisation and more specialised nature of manufacturing, it is a changing story but, between 2000 and 2006, manufacturing output increased by 35%. We are performing well in this sector but the same numbers will not be employed as ten years ago due to the nature of the change....

Proposed Legislation. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: In March 2008, the Government decided to reduce the administrative burden of domestic regulation on business by 25% by 2012. This target was set in response to the invitation to member states by the European Council to set national targets in line with the European Commission's 25% target reduction in the burden of EU regulations. My Department is responsible for devising the methodology...

Proposed Legislation. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy was anxious that I would set the target and that has been done.

Proposed Legislation. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I recall telling the Deputy that when we set the target, we must have an idea of the future path in progressing the issue. We are endeavouring to avoid a scenario where we over-bureaucratise the reduction of bureaucracy, which is a danger.

Proposed Legislation. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: In Germany 110 civil servants are working to allegedly reduce the burden of bureaucracy. In the UK, the process cost is almost £27 million. I am conscious of how other countries have approached burden reduction and not yielded the concrete results we all desire. Ireland is lightly regulated compared with other EU member states. The World Bank ranks Ireland eighth out of 178 countries in...

Proposed Legislation. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The acronym SARS was coined during our deliberations by an official and I think it is excellent. It stands for sudden acute regulatory phenomenon or whatever. This means that there can be very acute and urgent calls from within this House for legislation and we are the worst offenders at times.

Proposed Legislation. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: When something happens and it is publicised on radio and television we are all here in the House some morning shouting and demanding to know when the Government plans to introduce regulation A, B and C. This House needs to adopt a mindset as does the Civil Service and the public service, that people in the real world have to get on with life and we cannot overburden them. We must decide how...

Proposed Legislation. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am trying to keep it simple.

Proposed Legislation. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: Deputy English asks parliamentary questions like he plays football.

Proposed Legislation. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: Which one?

Proposed Legislation. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy is correct; the EU directives are very important.

Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The recent increase in consumer prices is clearly a matter of concern. While the increase in the annual rate of inflation to 5% as recorded in the Central Statistics Office's most recent bulletin is particularly disappointing, the factors giving rise to this increase are mainly being driven by international developments such as the global increases in the price of oil, food etc. While our...

Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy asked what has happened since the abolition of the groceries order. We are all aware that the price of oil went through the roof in that period.

Consumer Protection. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: This had a significant impact on global prices. Food prices have increased significantly, particularly in the last six months, and various explanations have been put forward for this. Since the abolition of the groceries order, the monthly consumer price index information from the Central Statistics Office has included a comparison of price movement in respect of goods previously included...