Results 281-300 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Social Partnership. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: I am sure Deputy McGrath is aware that the main reason ISME was dissatisfied with social partnership was that it was opposed to benchmarking. Small business is the backbone of the economy. Most businesses are small and most people who work in the private sector are employed by small businesses. Equally, businesses established by foreign direct investment are extraordinarily important because...

Social Partnership. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: Yes. If Deputy Howlin and I meet for a drink 20 years from now — I doubt if any of us will want to be here then because we will have passed our sell-by dates — we will reflect on all the wonderful things that happened in Ireland in recent years. We will say what great things happened and point at what has taken place in Wexford, Clare, Louth and everywhere else. Deputy McGrath might...

Job Losses. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: Rather than go through the figures for average annual level of industrial employment for each year between 1998 and 2002, I will give the Deputy the figures I know he will want to comment on. In 1998, the figure was 257,900, and the latest provisional figure at December 2003 was 244,100. That is a job reduction of 13,000 or so. In each of those years from 1998, the figure was falling by about...

Job Losses. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: Industrial employment is a key element of our economy and will continue as such well into the future. Nevertheless, we have to set the decline in industrial employment against continued employment expansion in the broader economy. In the time period to which the Deputy's question relates, between 1998 and 2003, more than 270,000 jobs have been created and Irish unemployment is among the...

Job Losses. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: Deputy Howlin asked if the decline will continue. Unfortunately, I believe it will. This matter took up a great deal of attention at our recent informal EU Council meeting, and a paper from the European Commission will be discussed next week at our Council meeting in Brussels on relocation or de-industrialisation. The matter is a concern of every European country. Some 70% of EU employment is...

National Irish Bank Investigations. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 51 together. Sixteen investigations into company law matters have been initiated by me since I first came into office as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. In three cases, the High Court appointed, on an application by me, inspectors under section 8 of the Companies Act 1990. The Inspectors appointed to Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited presented...

National Irish Bank Investigations. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: It would be unfair to say that nothing has happened. A new independent office, the Director of Corporate Enforcement, is fully resourced with key professionals from the law and accounting, and members of the Garda Síochána. One of the significant complaints from corporate Ireland is the vigorous manner in which company law is being enforced. In fact some Deputies have spoken to me privately...

National Irish Bank Investigations. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: In recent weeks the Cabinet has had a number of discussions on the costs of tribunals but, generally, all inquiries are very expensive where the legal process is involved. It does not come cheap. The views expressed by the Minister for Finance, which I share, is that we must find a better, more effective and speedier way of bringing matters to a conclusion.

National Irish Bank Investigations. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: I understand he is about to bring a proposal to the Cabinet. Certainly we have discussed the matter on at least three occasions in the past six weeks or so. I understand the Minister for Finance is working with the Attorney General on the matter and that the proposals are imminent.

Export Controls. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: A report on Ireland's export controls was submitted to me by Forfás on 30 April. The report contains a number of legislative and non-legislative recommendations aimed at improving Ireland's export control system. The report has been received by my Department and I will publish it shortly.

Export Controls. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: We have just received the Fitzpatrick report, which is phase two of the process and looked at best international experience and what happens in four different countries. I intend to publish the report, but it is a logistical issue. The report recommends that we need new dedicated primary legislation on arms control if we want to come up to best practice internationally. The report suggests...

Export Controls. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: Phase two is the Fitzpatrick report and the consultants were asked to talk to interested parties and to engage in a public consultation process. They met 40 different groups. They were asked to examine what happens internationally and make recommendations for change. That is what they have done. Should the Deputy wish, I will give him my briefing note. The consultants suggest that new...

Price Displaying. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: The Prices Acts require that prices being displayed by order must be shown as a charge. Making an order for a profession where the cost of a procedure may legitimately vary for objective reasons — for example, in dentistry, a crown on a front tooth may cost considerably less than one on a large back tooth — will require careful drafting. We are currently involved in a consultative process...

Price Displaying. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: I gave a commitment following the recommendation of the Director of Consumer Affairs, Carmel Foley, that we would do so. My Department has consulted the dental association and the medical organisation, which is normal in such circumstances and a good thing. We are now in the process of drafting the legislation. Price lists would probably have to state "crowns from" rather than "crowns at". We...

Price Displaying. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: There are huge variations even in the South. If one talks to dentists, they will tell one that the job they do is far superior to any job done elsewhere. There are huge differences in prices in the Irish market. If we give people the information, at least it will allow them to compare prices.

Price Displaying. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: I have instructed my officials to draft the order. The policy decision has been made. I understand the reason for the delay is that it is more complex than anticipated. My officials are in discussions and negotiations with the Office of the Attorney General because clearly we must have an order which stands up legally. One of the difficulties they brought to my attention is that it is not as...

Price Displaying. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: The prices, and maybe the quality, can vary but a pint is a pint of the product.

Price Displaying. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: We will probably draft an order stating "crowns from" and so on. I understand that will be the legal way around it. It will be done as quickly as possible.

Price Increases. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: I am pleased the Director of Consumer Affairs has highlighted the fact that certain pubs in Dublin increased their prices for a recent international rugby match. While there was no breach of consumer protection legislation as the pubs in question displayed the increased prices they were charging, nonetheless the director's survey has highlighted the need for better consumer vigilance. The...

Price Increases. (13 May 2004)

Mary Harney: The answer is "no" because maximum orders tend to encourage everybody to go to the maximum. During the weekend concerned, hotels and flights were more expensive. Earlier today I spoke to an upset member of my staff who had booked tickets on the airline that went to the wall yesterday. She was trying to find alternatives to get her to her destination. She said that last week's flights on Aer...