Results 2,501-2,520 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (4 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: I assume the Deputy's question relates to my official position as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. My Department has not received any notification of a decision by the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters pursuant to paragraph J(2) of its amended terms of reference. I have no official role in relation to any such notifications that may have been issued to...

Written Answers — Departmental Committees: Departmental Committees (4 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Audit Committee of my Department has five members. It is chaired by Mr. Dermot Quigley former Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners and includes the Head of Internal Audit from a Government Agency and three senior Departmental officials.

Written Answers — Casual Trading: Casual Trading (9 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together. Issues regarding trading in public places are governed by the Casual Trading Act 1995. Under that Act, responsibility for operational matters lies with local authorities which control such trading by way of bye laws made pursuant to Section 6 of the Act. Concerns about how markets and fairs are regulated, therefore, should be directed to...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (9 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 242 together. The site in question is part of Shannon Development's property portfolio, the management of which is an operational matter for the Company and not one in which I have a direct involvement. I understand from Shannon Development that given its strategic location, adjacent to the deep waters of the Shannon Estuary, the agency recognises the...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (9 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Industrial Development agencies operating in the areas in question are making every effort to secure alternative employment for Thurles and North Tipperary. Job creation is a day-to-day administration matter for the agencies concerned and, in addition, a central goal for the agencies is the achievement of balanced regional development. Notwithstanding this, I should point out that the...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (9 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Work Permit Section of my Department has informed me that an application for a work permit in respect of the above individual was refused on 9th March 2006. The employer was notified of this decision in writing and of the right of appeal. The employer submitted an appeal on 24 March 2006. The Work Permit Section has contacted the employer and is awaiting further documentation before the...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (9 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: In my opening address on the Second Stage of the Employment Permits Bill 2005 on 12th October 2005 I announced that the current procedures for granting working visas / work authorisations will be phased out and replaced by a new Green Card system. As I indicated on that occasion, Green Cards will be awarded for occupations where there are skills shortages, which will be for a restricted list...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (9 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: The main purpose of the community employment programme operated by FÁS is to provide work experience and training for the long-term unemployed and disadvantaged groups and thereby enable participants to advance successfully to employment in the open labour market. On 10 November 2004, following a review of FÁS employment schemes (community employment, job initiative and social economy...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (9 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: The following are the pieces of legislation governing industrial relations: Industrial Relations Act 1946 Industrial Relations Act 1969 Industrial Relations Act 1976 Industrial Relations Act 1990 Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001 Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Act 1996 Worker Participation (State...

Report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs on Migration: Statements. (10 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: I join with Deputies Deasy and Andrews in saying it is timely to be discussing the report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs on migration in the same week in which Europe Day falls. I look forward to the question and answer session as regards some of the issues that have been raised in the context of the report. We in Ireland have been full and enthusiastic participants in the...

Report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs on Migration: Statements. (10 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: This approach could offer a solution to the issue of co-ordination that has been rightly identified by the committee.

Report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs on Migration: Statements. (10 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: The decision on Bulgaria and Romania will be made following a decision of the EU to grant accession to these countries in the first instance. We will make a decision in the autumn, if the decision to allow accession goes ahead. We will consider it in the context of the labour market trends in our economy and the fact that a number of EU countries have still not granted access to new EU...

Report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs on Migration: Statements. (10 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: The countries that have contributed most to circular migration are Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, with reduced numbers coming from the other accession states. Some of these people come here and then leave. There is a need for more data and information on this issue. The National Economic and Social Council is completing a major study on the management of migration in Ireland which takes on...

Report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs on Migration: Statements. (10 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: Romanian and Bulgarian nationals can currently come to Ireland but have to apply for work permits. We could continue that arrangement and decide to give them preference over non-EEA nationals or issue work permits on the basis of job offers without the requirement to advertise with FÁS. A variety of options are available to us. We could decide to grant freedom of movement from January 2007,...

Report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs on Migration: Statements. (10 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: While the Taoiseach would make the ultimate decision on a proposal such as that made by Deputy Cuffe, the model of a Minister of State with specific co-ordinating responsibilities has worked in other areas, such as children, in which a need existed to bring Departments together to deal with problems in a coherent manner. The proposal certainly merits serious consideration and could be brought...

Report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs on Migration: Statements. (10 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: I cannot but my door is open with regard to the proposal.

Report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs on Migration: Statements. (10 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: I concur with Deputy Ó Snodaigh that challenges exist in the area of social and economic integration which need to be urgently addressed, although we have already made significant progress in that area. While the legislation on work permits pertains to economic migration, it dovetails with the immigration and residence Bill which the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform plans to...

Report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs on Migration: Statements. (10 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: He mentioned Turkey and Bosnia.

Report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs on Migration: Statements. (10 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: Signing and ratifying it brings significant obligations to a country and we would have to examine it in detail. That it has not been ratified since 1999 by EU countries and our own probably tells its own story. It may not be an adequate instrument and may need to be re-examined. The slow take-up and the decision by so many not to ratify may tell a story or open insights on issues to do with...

Report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs on Migration: Statements. (10 May 2006)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Quinn raised the point about pressures on the indigenous markets and asked if we would look at the community employment schemes. We reformed those last year to try to facilitate the continuation of people on community employment programmes. I transferred the social economy scheme to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs with a view to seeing that as a social support...