Results 47,321-47,340 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Consumer Rights. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy asked about specific upcoming projects, so I am being specific in my reply. The agency recently commissioned consultants who will work to produce a publication in October or November, entitled Construction and the Consumer in Ireland. Also in autumn, the agency will release a guide on the consumer and bereavement.

Industrial Development. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 33 together. The high level group on manufacturing was established under the Towards 2016 social partnership agreement. Its terms of reference as set out in section 7 of that agreement are to review the challenges facing the manufacturing sector and, having regard to initiatives currently under way, identify any further measures that would help to meet...

Industrial Development. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The commentary on manufacturing has been overplayed. The NCB report of 14 June on Ireland's competitiveness takes a more robust position than that of some other commentators. The report argues that Ireland's competitive position is safe. However, I do not accept we can ever be safe; it is essential to safeguard our competitiveness. It is worth pointing out that the yield from manufacturing...

Industrial Development. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: We must be balanced in how we describe and comment on manufacturing. The Government is committed to the sector. It is changing, however, and we have a different type of manufacturing from what we had five years ago.

Industrial Development. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The indications are that the working group will complete its deliberations by the end of the year, if not sooner.

Industrial Development. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: This is an issue of which I am aware from my discussions with representatives of the port authorities earlier this year. The issue of port capacity was raised with the Irish Exporters Association at its annual awards event. As the fundamental vehicle through which we export much of our goods, it is important we expand and develop our port capacity. The Deputy asked about manufacturing.

Industrial Development. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I am aware.

Job Losses. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: While all company closures and their associated job losses are to be regretted and their impact on a personal, community and national level should never be underestimated, these losses have occurred during a period of unprecedented job creation. Well over half a million jobs have been created in the past six years. In the 12 months to February 2007 the number of people in employment...

Job Losses. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: We are in a globalised world, which means we can never stand still but must consistently look ahead and ask where we should be in five or ten years time. That is the approach I take as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the reason for my concentration on the science and technology innovation strategy published last year. I worked with eight other Departments under the aegis...

Job Losses. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Job Losses. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I congratulate Deputy Reilly on his election. He asked questions of me in a different context previously, when I held a different portfolio. Deputy O'Keeffe asked about competitiveness and the early warning system. We get early warnings related to specific companies. The current commentary on manufacturing is quite positive. Following the prolonged period of slow growth in continental...

Job Losses. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: It would be initiated by the company or the agency. On an ongoing basis, companies would contact the agency and——

Job Losses. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: We have an overall monitoring of the economy and of broad sectors. I prefer to look at these situations as challenges. To deal with Deputy Reilly's point, the Forfás annual report contains very good data on the dramatic increases in research and development expenditure over the past few years, particularly in 2006 and 2007. I do not have the specific figures here but sufficit to say our...

Departmental Agencies. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, guím gach rath ort i do chuid oibre as seo amach agus tá súil agam go mbeimid go léir in ann comhoibriú leat sa todhchaí.

Departmental Agencies. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: It is great to be here, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, to congratulate you on your position and wish you every success. Not so long ago you were asking me the questions and on this occasion you are refereeing. I am aware of this Supreme Court decision which arises from the first ever court decision in an abuse of dominance case brought by the Competition Authority. Following a full hearing of the...

Departmental Agencies. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Let us get matters straight. The 2002 Act set up the Competition Authority as a statutory independent body. The Oireachtas, including Deputy Hogan, took that decision on the basis that it probably came to the conclusion that political interference in the operational work of the authority would carry significant hazards and could compromise the authority to an unacceptable degree in the...

Departmental Agencies. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Does Deputy Hogan accept that?

Departmental Agencies. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Hogan needs to be clear on where he stands. He cannot ask if the Minister will advise the authority and give leadership to it, and almost in the same sentence suggest the Minister should not become involved and should remain independent.

Departmental Agencies. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Hogan has criticised the fact the authority has taken on the Irish League of Credit Unions. I stated we are studying the Supreme Court judgment. It is only by its careful consideration that one could make observations in terms of future actions. The authority is independent. We should equally point out that many settlements are made before the proceedings ever get to court, when...

Departmental Offices. (4 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: To reduce energy consumption in the Department and to ensure maximum energy efficiency and the minimum carbon footprint in its daily operations, my Department, through its green team which was established some years ago, continues to implement the following actions——