Results 2,781-2,800 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: In the past year the number of persons in employment increased by 89,800 or 4.7%. This indicates that the Irish labour market remains extremely buoyant, with job creation far exceeding job losses. Over 500,000 jobs have been created since 1997, which is testament to the successful economic and enterprise development policies which this Government intends to continue into the future through...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I presume the question relates to the recent abolition of the Groceries Order. The Groceries Order was abolished because it allowed wholesalers and suppliers to determine minimum retail prices being charged to consumers, virtually eliminated price competition in the grocery trade, resulted in more than 2,000 small independent retailers going out of business in a fifteen year period, and...

Written Answers — Departmental Briefings: Departmental Briefings (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I have sought clarification from the Deputy's Office and understand the information he requires relates solely to oral briefings, made in person, by officials of my Department. I have also confined my response to briefings made by my Department's Officials to members of the Oireachtas other than myself and the two Ministers of State at my Department. In May 2005, officials of my Department...

Written Answers — Business Regulation: Business Regulation (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Report of the Small Business Forum, which recommended the increase of the turnover threshold for audit exemption for small businesses to €7.3m., states that this increase will afford the opportunity for audit exemption to approximately 5,000 additional small companies. The increased audit exemption turnover threshold will not entail any cost to the Exchequer.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: There are currently ten Agencies and twelve Offices operating under the aegis of my Department. Their functions, and their budgetary allocations for 2006, are as shown in the table. Agencies Name of Organisation Functions Budgetary Allocation 2006 € Forfás Forfás is the national policy and advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation....

Written Answers — Research Funding: Research Funding (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Government launched its Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-13 on Sunday morning last and copies of the Strategy have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The timeline of the Strategy is an eight-year one, to 2013 and resources of €192 million up to and including 2008 have been provided to enable work on delivering the Strategy to commence with immediate...

Written Answers — Regulatory Authorities: Regulatory Authorities (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: As none of the existing sectoral regulators come within my remit as Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, this is not a matter for which I have any direct responsibility. Having said that, I have no plans to establish a single national regulator. I am concerned to ensure that our national system of regulation encourages and promotes competition within the economy and that individual...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 84, 90, 118 and 121 together. The General Scheme of the new Company Law Consolidation and Reform Bill is being drafted making use of an advisory body, the Company Law Review Group (CLRG), which is representative of business, regulators, professional bodies and social partners. The General Scheme has been drafted on the basis of a standing consultation...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The figures requested by the Deputy are outlined in the table. By definition the figures for work permit renewals refer to employees who had previously been the subject of successful work permit applications. The Work Permits section has informed me that it does not collate statistics on how many of the work permits issued were in respect of previously unsuccessful applications. Year...

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: An application for a statutory redundancy rebate payment from Irish Ferries under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 to 2003 was received by my Department on 17th February, 2006. The matter has been referred for advice on the legal issues arising. A decision will be made on the application as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I met with Minister Eagle on 1 June at InterTradeIreland's offices in Newry. This was my first opportunity to meet with Minister Eagle since her recent appointment as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement gave a new impetus to North/South economic co-operation and led to the establishment of the North/South Implementation Bodies....

Written Answers — Small Business Sector: Small Business Sector (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 109 together. In launching the report of the Small Business Forum last month I indicated that the Forum had presented me with a comprehensive set of proposals which were designed to enable the small business sector to achieve its full potential and to enhance the significant contribution which the sector already makes to the economic well-being of this...

Written Answers — Business Regulation: Business Regulation (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: Price display law is covered by Orders made under Section 19 of the Prices Acts 1958 to 1972 and under the European Communities (Requirements to Indicate Product Prices) Regulations 2002, Statutory Instrument No. 639 of 2002. The various Price Display Orders made under the Prices Acts 1958 to 1972 cover Drinks Display in Licensed Premises, Hairdressing Services, Petrol and Diesel and...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The proposal referred to in this Question is an operational matter for Shannon Development and not one in which I have any direct involvement. Shannon Development has entered into an option-to-purchase agreement with Shannon LNG, in relation to 281 acres of the 600-acre Shannon Development owned land bank between Tarbert and Ballylongford, County Kerry. The site, which has been designated by...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 86 and 119 together. The Government places top priority on our economy's ability to compete in the global marketplace. Our commitment to taking forward and quickly progressing implementation of both the Enterprise Strategy Group and Small Business Forum recommendations is evidence of our own resolve to ensure that we can continue to compete effectively in...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The details sought in respect of those bodies under the aegis of my Department which have a regulatory function are as follows: The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) is the national body with responsibility for accreditation in accordance with the relevant International Organisation for Standardisation ISO 17000 series of standards and guides and the harmonised EN 45000 series of...

Written Answers — Employment Vacancies: Employment Vacancies (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The ESRI carry out a monthly employment and vacancies survey for FÁS. This survey provides very useful up-to-date information on how the labour market is performing. The May survey did show a decline in the number of firms reporting vacancies from 22% to 16%. However, this does not indicate a decline in vacancy activity in the labour market. The previous months figure of 22% was unusually...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Department advised the company by letter dated April 4th 2006 that the material which had recently been supplied by them did not enable the establishment of the factual position in relation to payment of outstanding monies to workers. The company was asked again to supply the missing information. Papers purporting to show that the company has discharged the financial obligations to...

Written Answers — Skill Shortages: Skill Shortages (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The recently published Expert Group on Future Skills Needs report SME Management Development in Ireland concluded that while there was no evidence that Irish SME managers were less skilled or competent than those in other countries, enhanced capabilities are required to meet future business challenges. It therefore recommended that both the incidence and effectiveness of management...

Written Answers — Competition Authority: Competition Authority (21 Jun 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Competition Authority is an independent statutory agency responsible for the enforcement of competition law across all sectors of the Irish economy. Its mandate and functions are contained in the Competition Act, 2002, as amended. Section 42 of the Competition Act, 2002 provides that the Authority shall publish an annual report of its activities within two months of the end of each...