Results 46,781-46,800 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The paucity of the Opposition's argument reached a new level this evening when Deputy Tom Hayes suggested that the Government was responsible for the bad summer in the UK in terms of the downturn in the market.

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: With the greatest respect, that is pushing it a bit far.

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: We will do everything we can to support indigenous enterprise. These changes make a real impact on the nature of economic activity and employment in the economy. Our approach to investment gives confidence to investors. Between 1999 and 2007, chemical-pharma sites expanded, with a total investment of €1.3 billion on existing sites. During the same period, there were 16 greenfield...

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: I certainly will not. I have allowed six speakers to speak without interruption. The motion's statement in respect of exports is another example of not letting the facts get in the way of an attack. CSO data for the first eight months of this year show that merchandise exports rose by 5% compared to the same eight-month period in 2006. This is impressive, considering that significant...

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: In a short debate, it is not possible to address all of areas where action is planned or required. I will highlight a few.

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: Many of the great advances in our economy and the social progress they have enabled have come from the recognition that the State should play the role of enabler rather than controller. Regulation is an important part of this, where we have to seek a balance between regulation necessary to protect consumers and employees and the light hand required to let those who create employment get on...

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The easiest thing is to knock the public service but the more difficult process is to engage with change.

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Varadkar has an extraordinarily bleak vision of the public service and is welcome to it. If one compares its work today to that of 20 years ago, one sees vast difference and significant improvements. These continuing efforts have resulted in Ireland being ranked eighth out of 178 countries in terms of ease of doing business and fifth for ease of starting a business. I could not...

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The seed capital scheme and the business expansion scheme were radically reformed in last year's budget. The bureaucracy of VAT returns improved dramatically for small business, the management development council was established and €175 million of venture capital has been contributed by the State through Enterprise Ireland, which will leverage €1 billion in private sector venture...

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: The motion is correct in pointing to productivity as an important part of competitiveness. Without strong productivity growth, we cannot maintain high standards of living and high incomes. However, Fine Gael has chosen to ignore the fact that our productivity levels have converged with those of the OECD and continue to improve. The important sectors in which our economy is successful show...

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: This is incredibly important because expanding productivity in key higher value added sectors is the core of being competitive. It demonstrates in clear and unambiguous terms that Ireland is both productive and competitive. Key international reports state that we display a strong capacity to work with technology and human resources to expand the productivity frontier and innovate stronger...

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Varadkar did not quote this and has quoted very little of what I have quoted.

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: From another perspective, we cannot have high productivity and consequently incomes without a serious commitment to innovation. Clever innovation and innovation based on our research base will drive our success in demanding markets. According to the fourth Community innovation survey, Ireland performs above the EU 15 average. This further underlines the continuing competitive attributes of...

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: I did not interrupt Deputy O'Donnell.

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: Without high-level research we cannot hope to be a success in the future. We have been world class at exploiting new ideas but we must also become world class in generating those ideas. This is why we have prioritised research and development policy consistently during our time in office. This has never been a substantial item on the Opposition's agenda and it has required major resources...

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: I thought I would receive an early warning in respect of my time.

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: I was heckled to a large degree.

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: Inflation is a concern and we must work to reduce the level at which it stands. However, people must face reality regarding the origins of inflation. It is important to distinguish between external factors, which are beyond domestic policy control, and internal factors. Externally, the main cause is higher mortgage interest payments due to ECB interest rate increases. Excluding mortgage...

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: On the European measure of comparable inflation rates, inflation measured 2.7% last year. The Central Bank and Financial Services Authority expects the figure for this year to be approximately 2.8% this year but to decline to the euro area average next year. Nevertheless, cost pressures are a concern. The Government has not increased indirect taxes in three successive budgets in order to...

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (4 Dec 2007)

Micheál Martin: I will conclude by saying that the responsible fiscal policies we have pursued have enabled us to deliver the most competitive tax regime in Europe. In this we have been opposed every year by Fine Gael, which continues the policy of attacking general increases while demanding countless specific increases. Lower taxes, higher social supports and a falling debt burden are what we have...