Results 50,561-50,580 of 51,305 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Following the establishment of the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority, IFSRA, on 1 May 2003, I no longer have responsibility in relation to the supervision and regulation of insurance undertakings. The Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority, IFSRA, under the aegis of the Minister for Finance now holds responsibility for practically all of the financial services industry,...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The current position in relation to the transposition of EU directives for which my Department is responsible indicates a total of 29 directives to be implemented, including nine for which the deadline for implementation, in full or in part, has passed. Details of the directives, including, in so far as it has been decided, the proposed transposition instruments, are available on my...

Written Answers — Commercial Rates: Commercial Rates (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: This matter is the primary responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. My Department has not carried out or commissioned research on the effects on businesses of the current system of commercial rates compared to a system of site value taxation.

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 41, 50 and 85 together. Between 17 and 25 January 2005, I accompanied the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, on an official visit and trade mission to China. The Ministers for Education and Science, Agriculture and Food and Communications, Marine and Natural Resources also participated. The trade mission was the largest in the history of the State, involving...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I understand that the liquidator has made considerable progress in realising the assets of the company and establishing the full extent of its liabilities and that he hopes to complete the liquidation process later this year. At this stage, the plant and machinery at the main production facilities at Arklow and Cork have been sold and are in the process of being dismantled and removed from...

Written Answers — Enterprise Strategy Group: Enterprise Strategy Group (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 78 together. Shortly after the launch of the enterprise strategy group's report in 2004, the Government asked a high level committee under the chairmanship of my Department to advise on the most appropriate means to progress implementation of its recommendations. The Government recently considered and endorsed that committees report, which was broadly...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: A total of 844 work permit applications in respect of the spouses of non-EEA nationals working here were issued up to 18 February 2005.

Written Answers — Consumer Rights: Consumer Rights (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 40 and 62 together. The consumer strategy group was established in March 2004 to advise and make recommendations on the development of a national consumer strategy. I have not yet received the group's final report. However, I do expect the group to present its report very shortly and that the report will be published shortly thereafter. I intend to fully...

Written Answers — Shannon Development: Shannon Development (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 51 and 82 together. In so far as the future of Shannon Development is concerned, I refer to the reply I gave earlier to Priority Question No. 4, which outlines the up to date position in this regard. I am aware of the end of year returns published by Shannon Development and that these show positive results in the region, including a net growth of jobs in...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland and its regions. IDA Ireland indicated in its end of year statement for 2004 that it was the best year since 2000 in terms of the quality, depth and value of the investment decisions won and the estimated 10,800 new jobs created. However, more precise data on job creation is...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: A Bill to put Ireland's existing employment permit system on a statutory basis is in the final stage of drafting. The intention is to have the Bill enacted before the summer recess. The preparatory stages of this Bill have taken longer than expected because of the change in labour market circumstances, due to the enlargement of the European Union. The proposed employment permits Bill 2005,...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is an autonomous statutory agency set up under the Industrial Development Acts 1986 to 2003. The agency operates in accordance with the provisions of the Acts and under the aegis of my Department. The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio, including the purchase and disposal of property, is a day-to-day operational matter for the agency as part of the statutory...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I have received a significant amount of correspondence in recent weeks in relation to the groceries order. These representations have generally been made by, or on behalf of, business interests which support retention of the order in its current form. I await the report of the consumer strategy group, which was established to deliberate on a wide range of consumer matters. Accordingly, I...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 56 together. A total of 16 investigations into company law matters were initiated by my predecessor from 1997 onwards. The High Court appointed, on an application by the Minister, inspectors under section 8 of the Companies Act 1990 in three cases. The inspectors appointed to Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited presented their report to the High Court on 10 June...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 123 together. The National Competitiveness Council's Statement on Prices and Costs 2004 highlights the key areas that contribute to Ireland's cost base and which affect our competitiveness. The statement also provided the statistical analysis for the NCC's Annual Competitiveness Report 2004, which was published in October together with the council's...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 73 together. I assure the Deputies that the Government, along with the State development agencies, is committed to balanced regional development, particularly through the implementation of the national spatial strategy and the Government's decentralisation programme. The State development agencies will continue to work together to attract investment and...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to my reply of 16 December 2004 to a question, reference no. 33743/04. As advised in that reply, the consumer strategy group, which is due to present its final report shortly, as part of its work examined price trends in this jurisdiction compared with prices in other parts of Europe for a variety of goods and services. I expect that the group's report will detail its...

Written Answers — Manufacturing Sector: Manufacturing Sector (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Enterprise policy is being actively refocused towards creating conditions that will make possible a sustained shift to higher skill, knowledge-intensive activities and in which advanced manufacturing expertise will be an important contributor to growth and employment. That new focus is essential if our enterprises are to capture sustainable competitive advantage in niche markets that are less...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: It was with regret that I learnt of the announcement by Donegal Parian China that it intends to close its plant in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, with the loss 54 jobs. I understand that the decision to close is due to a reduction in demand. However, I am also advised that the company is to consolidate its production in its existing Belleek facility and that some 15 of the 54 Donegal employees...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Economic migration policy in Ireland is predicated on economic needs, and it therefore addresses identified labour and skills shortages. As the economy grew in recent years, there was a consequential increase in the demand for labour. Where suitable workers were not available in Ireland or the wider European Economic Area, which consists of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and, for this...