Results 46,881-46,900 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Telecommunications Services. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: Broadband infrastructure and telecommunications policy is the primary responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. There has been much debate and discussion about broadband provision over the past few years. As a result of forward-thinking investment many years ago our international broadband connectivity is superior to or as advanced as any...

Telecommunications Services. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: I accept the Deputy's point on speed. There is no argument about the OECD measurement. There are reasons for this in that countries like Japan have higher population densities, which give them some advantage over lower speed countries. For example, 26 million people live in the greater Seoul area, half of whom live in apartment blocks.

Telecommunications Services. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The point is that I do not disagree with the Deputy. The other competitive issue regarding the digital and Internet space is energy. That would be of concern to me in the medium term as it affects the cost base that may apply. I have also discussed that area with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Ryan. The Deputy has said we are playing catch up. We...

Telecommunications Services. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: We are moving particularly quickly.

Telecommunications Services. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: We did.

Telecommunications Services. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: I am not interested in——

Telecommunications Services. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: I take the Deputy's point that we always aim to be the best. Although I note that just as the Deputy criticises me for using European parameters, on another day the Opposition loves to use European averages. I accept the Deputy's basic point that it is not the key issue for us. The key issue for us relates to FDI. We compete with Israel, Singapore, Puerto Rico, eastern Europe and other...

Telecommunications Services. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Minister, Deputy Ryan, is ahead of the game in that he is already calling together a forum regarding next generation technologies.

Telecommunications Services. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: He is. He is very keen to advance this agenda and he will leave an impact on this area — of that I have no doubt. There are pluses and minuses. We have the strongest per capita subscriber growth in the OECD. We have added 6.6 subscribers per 100 inhabitants in the past year, which is far ahead of anybody else. We improved to 21st out of 32 countries as benchmarked by Forfás in June...

Industrial Development. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 75 together. The most recent full year merchandise trade figures published by the Central Statistics Office relate to 2006. Between 2004 and 2005 imports rose from €51.1 billion to €57.5 billion, a rise of €6.4 billion, 12.5%, while between 2005 and 2006 imports rose from €57.5 billion to €60.7 billion, a rise of €3.2 billion, 5.7%. These...

Industrial Development. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The key strategy we have adopted involves trying to move to value-added activities which can be more effective in terms of dealing with our cost base. Our capacity to compete in sectors like low-cost services and low-cost merchandise has been reducing. As we invest more in research and innovation, small and medium sized enterprises and companies of that nature are in a better position to...

Work Permits. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: Under the Employment Permits Act 2006, the fee for an employment permit may be refunded if an application has been refused or withdrawn prior to the issuing of the permit. The fee is not normally refunded, however, after the permit has been issued. Employment permits are processed in accordance with the Employment Permits Acts 2003 and 2006 and SI Nos. 682 and 683 of 2006, which clearly and...

Work Permits. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: It costs €1,000 for two years.

Work Permits. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The danger with that proposal is that our approach is vacancy-driven. When an employment vacancy occurs, that can be the catalyst for an application by an employer or an employee for a work permit. We do not want a free-for-all to develop, whereby somebody utilises a vacancy to get a work permit and then goes somewhere else within two months. That would bring the entire system into...

Job Losses. (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Tom Hayes for raising this matter. I am aware of the situation in Clonmel and am concerned about the job losses at the company. The company has experienced a reduction in sales in a key market in the United Kingdom, primarily due to the impact of bad weather during the summer and increased competition from its main competitors. The company's sales in the UK are significantly...

Written Answers — County Enterprise Boards: County Enterprise Boards (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department does not provide direct funding or grants to businesses but provides funding to a number of State Agencies, including the County and City Enterprise Boards, Enterprise Ireland and FÁS, through whom assistance is delivered directly to businesses. The 35 County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) provide a source of support to small businesses with 10 employees or fewer. Subject...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section has indicated that a work permit has issued in this case.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that the above named applicant's Spousal/Dependant Permit was issued recently in this case.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The following table identifies the number of permanent employees; the number of temporary staff and the number of contracted staff in my Department for the periods 31 October 2002 and 31 October 2007. 31st October 2002 31st October 2007 Permanent staff (Full time equivalents) 1,065 992.12 Temporary staff 24 15.00 Staff on contract 16 25.00

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The total amount spent by my Department on air travel for each year from 2004 to date is set out on the table below. The table also shows the amount charged to my Department for Business Class and First Class flights each year. Year Total spent on air travel of which: Business Class First Class € € € 2004 718,175.30 244,827 17,021 2005 555,004.52 148,232 9,683 2006 434,571.54...