Results 2,721-2,740 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (20 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Government has decided that the Headquarters of Enterprise Ireland, including 300 posts, will relocate to Shannon as part of the Decentralisation programme. The timing of the major move of Enterprise Ireland staff to Shannon Town is dependent on the assembly of sufficient suitably qualified and experienced people volunteering to transfer to Shannon, within the terms of the Government...

Decentralisation Programme. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: Four of the agencies under the aegis of my Department are due to decentralise as follows: FÁS is to move 383 posts to Birr, County Offaly; Enterprise Ireland is to move 292 posts to Shannon; the Health and Safety Authority is to move 110 posts to Thomastown, County Kilkenny, and the National Standards Authority of Ireland is to move 132 posts to Arklow, County Wicklow. Under the Government's...

Decentralisation Programme. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I am satisfied the agencies will manage this process in such a way as not to undermine or jeopardise their core activities or performance.

Decentralisation Programme. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I did not interrupt Deputy Bruton and I would appreciate being allowed the opportunity to reply. Enterprise Ireland's results, published yesterday, are a clear manifestation that the decentralisation process is not undermining its performance or capacity to achieve and to work. Subsequent to previous decentralisation of major agencies such as the Central Statistics Office, there was no...

Decentralisation Programme. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: At no stage have I stated this is a political stroke and Deputy Bruton is clearly distorting what I stated in that regard. I appreciate the Deputy's honesty in saying he is basically against decentralisation.

Decentralisation Programme. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I must take that on board.

Decentralisation Programme. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: No, it is a fact. Members are taking a two-sided approach to decentralisation. Many Dublin-based Members and Opposition spokespersons articulate a negative attitude to decentralisation to please their constituency——

Decentralisation Programme. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: ——while their colleagues down the country are endlessly beseeching Ministers about decentralisation.

Decentralisation Programme. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: A duplicitous approach is emerging on the issue of decentralisation.

Decentralisation Programme. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I acknowledge challenges must be overcome to successfully implement the programme but the bottom line is the reason behind it is to increase and facilitate development throughout the regions and to act as a catalyst for further development in those regions.

Employment Rights. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The "black economy" is generally described as the hidden sector of the economy where private cash transactions go unreported and hence untaxed. As such, the policing of this area is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners in the first instance. In the context of the new social partnership agreement, which is subject to ratification over the coming weeks, it is proposed that the hidden economy...

Employment Rights. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: A cross-departmental approach is needed to tackle the hidden economy as no Department in isolation can deal with it. We are anxious and committed to undermining the black economy because it affects the entire edifice on which most of our social progress is based and on which legitimate business is carried out. However, the Revenue has a significant role to play on the working group with ISME,...

Employment Rights. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: Yes.

Employment Rights. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I must reject the Deputy's assertion that neither I nor my Department are committed to this issue. It appears as though the Deputy had made up his mind in that regard before asking the question or hearing the reply. For example, our contribution to the social partnership talks in respect of labour law compliance has been strong. If one considers health and safety, within the past year my...

Employment Rights. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I do not see anything wrong with the agreement on the part of the social partners to the effect that Revenue should chair a working group on this matter. It is of key importance that everyone should be represented on the working group to ensure co-ordination. Revenue is a powerful force with regard to the hidden economy and its impact on the latter should not be underestimated or understated....

Unemployment Levels. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: Unemployment is measured through the quarterly national household survey as published by the Central Statistics Office. The survey provides a breakdown of data on a regional basis only, and not on specific towns. The most recent survey data published at the end of May shows the national unemployment rate is 4.2%. The equivalent rate for the western region, which includes Ballina, is 4.3%....

Unemployment Levels. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: Where did the Deputy acquire that figure?

Unemployment Levels. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: Unemployment has been reduced in Ballina from 1,437 to 1,308 in the past year. Members should be careful in respect of the language they use.

Unemployment Levels. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I was in Mayo recently and to describe either conditions or indigenous business there as abysmal is ridiculous and should not be done. County Mayo has a good indigenous sector, with some excellent local companies which create good employment. While challenges certainly exist in respect of infrastructure, there is a significant number of positive factors in County Mayo, not least the number of...

Unemployment Levels. (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I understand IDA Ireland does not want to sell short the county council which invested significantly in that site as part of an agreement. I accept people have different ideas and members of my party articulated to me that perhaps a different site should have been selected a number of years ago. I cannot retrospectively resolve that. This is a major challenge. Ideally, securing that site...