Results 47,381-47,400 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (3 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Labour Relations Commission: It is anticipated that 7 rights commissioners will be appointed during the period 1 July to 31 December 2007. Currently there are 6 vacancies. Those selected to fill these vacancies have been notified and arrangements regarding their appointments are being finalised. Labour Court: two ordinary members will be appointed to the Labour Court. Agricultural Joint...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I thank all the Senators who contributed to the debate. I took on board what the Oireachtas joint committee recommended during the previous Dáil. This Bill is not being rushed. There was disappointment we did "rush it through" the last Dáil but I was anxious to have the legal position thoroughly examined and to make sure the advice I received was considered. The Bill has been overseen...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The legislation is about preventing the rip off of the consumer or the system. It provides for efficient and effective services and competitive approaches to the way issues are addressed by society. Much will be said in the coming months and years about the threat to competitiveness in Ireland but the theme of analysis conducted by the National Competitiveness Council and other bodies is...

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (3 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I have already made the point that this does not deny the right of access to the courts in any shape or form I have made this point on a number of occasions since the debate began and in my earlier contributions. It simply does not do this, as Senator O'Toole has articulated.

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (3 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Let us go back to where we were. In my speech, I said that we did not want to go back to pre-PIAB days. We are saying that it does not interfere with the independence of Judiciary in any shape or form. The Act transparently does not do that. I understand where Senator Coghlan is coming from and his fears and concerns but they are clearly not——

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (3 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The point I am making is that there is another side to this story and there is always balance in these kinds of situations.

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (3 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The balance is this. Let us get real and practical here. Should the system have to fork out €1,800 for something that can be done for €80? That is the beginning and end of this issue. My view is that——

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (3 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: That is what we are doing. I take Senator Coghlan's point. We do not want to infringe anyone's fundamental right to pursue cases with solicitors and go to court. Under no circumstances are we doing that. In every walk of life, people take these decisions to go to the courts while being aware of the issues and costs.

Seanad: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (3 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: The amendment of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003 centres on the activity following the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, PIAB, making a formal award. While PIAB awards mirror court awards in that both have regard to a book of quantum to determine the appropriate award to be given, some claimants choose to reject their award and commence litigation proceedings in the hope of...

Social Partnership. (3 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Ó Caoláin is stretching it.

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (28 Jun 2007)

Micheál Martin: It has been a key strategic objective for Enterprise Ireland (EI) to bring all Dublin based staff together in one location since the Agency was established in 1998. The Board of Enterprise Ireland decided that the single site office in the East Point Business Park was the most appropriate from a number of perspectives, including value for money, flexibility, and customer service delivery. In...

Written Answers — Market Rights: Market Rights (27 Jun 2007)

Micheál Martin: I assume the Deputy's question refers to market rights as defined under the Casual Trading Act 1995. The 1995 Act sets out the law regarding selling goods in public places. Casual trading is defined as "selling goods at a place (including a public road) to which the public have access as of right". The activity is regulated by way of by-laws made by local authorities under section 6 of the...

Written Answers — Interpretation Act 2005: Interpretation Act 2005 (27 Jun 2007)

Micheál Martin: I am advised that section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2005 is of general application and statutory instruments, or related decisions, are not made under that provision. Section 22 provides for a general rule that a statutory instrument made under other enactments can be revoked or amended even if those enactments do not contain an express power to do so. In this context, the definition of...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (26 Jun 2007)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions. Today the level of FDI in Ireland, relative to the size of the economy, is one of the highest in the world. At present there are over 1,000 overseas companies with substantial international operations in Ireland, employing over 135,000 people. The...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (26 Jun 2007)

Micheál Martin: The development agencies under the remit of my Department, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the County Enterprise Boards and FÁS (the Training and Employment Authority) have remits, respectively, in the areas of attracting and growing foreign direct investment, growing indigenous enterprises; and developing the labour market. A range of strategies, programmes and financial incentives are in...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (26 Jun 2007)

Micheál Martin: The following is the position in relation to the Bills in my Department: Chemicals Bill I expect to seek Government approval for the drafting of this Bill before the end of the year. The content and timing of publication of the Bill will be decided by the Government in due course. Collective Investment Schemes Consolidation Bill My intention is to have Heads of Bill available for submission...

Written Answers — Job Protection: Job Protection (26 Jun 2007)

Micheál Martin: On 7 May, the company in question announced that it was necessary for it to discontinue with immediate effect, the sale of the sole product manufactured in Athlone. On 22 May, the company advised all employees that it was considering closing its facility in Athlone and entered into a period of consultation with employees and their representatives. In the meantime, discussions had been taking...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (26 Jun 2007)

Micheál Martin: I am informed by the Employment Permits Section of my Department that a Work Permit in respect of Mr. Wai Ming Mak was renewed for the period 19 March 2007 to 18 March 2009. The original work permit was issued to the employee and a copy was issued to his employer on 13 June 2007.

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (26 Jun 2007)

Micheál Martin: The development agencies under the remit of my Department, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the County Enterprise Boards and FÁS (the Training and Employment Authority) have remits, respectively, in the areas of attracting and growing foreign direct investment; growing indigenous enterprises; and developing the labour market. A range of strategies, programmes and financial incentives are in...

Written Answers — Departmental Projects: Departmental Projects (26 Jun 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Finance's guidelines on the Appraisal and Management of Capital Expenditure Proposals in the Public Sector provide that a cost-benefit analysis should be carried out on capital projects above a threshold of €30 million. My Department has not directly approved any capital projects costing over €30 million this year. Capital funding allocated to my Department's Vote is...