Results 3,121-3,140 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Economic Competitiveness. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy may speak for himself.

State Property. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The details of Enterprise Ireland's expenditure over the past five years on its current headquarters in Glasnevin in order to meet both its business needs and health and safety obligations is an operational matter for Enterprise Ireland and not one in which I have a function. However, I understand from Enterprise Ireland that, in the period 2001-06, it spent €6.6 million on redevelopments...

State Property. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: I have already answered the Deputy's last question about when the decision was made. The decision was made by Enterprise Ireland. The agency has been undergoing significant change over the past two years. It has launched a very impactful strategic vision for the future and is very clear in its focus following the report of the enterprise strategy group on what it must do to develop and...

State Property. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: Such money was not effectively thrown out the window. If the Deputy was to go through the reply in detail, he would note it illustrates that is not the case. I will not estimate the value of any sale.

State Property. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The market will determine that. The Deputy knows as well as anyone that the sales of any asset or building in Dublin are buoyant.

State Property. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: Any person on the street would know that. It is common sense from that point of view.

State Property. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy has asked questions and sought replies. As I said, Enterprise Ireland is going through a period of structural change not only in its objectives but in how the organisation is structured. A fundamental document was prepared in the context of the enterprise strategy group which recommended certain courses of action. I have full confidence in the executive management of Enterprise...

Personal Injuries Assessment Board. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of recent media publicity concerning the Personal Injuries Assessment Board. The PIAB has received 36,000 cases since it was established. I understand from the PIAB that 6,000 of these were settled up-front from the outset, 9,000 cases were settled between the parties during the PIAB process, more than 5,000 assessments have been made, and an estimated 4,000 cases are heading...

Personal Injuries Assessment Board. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: I take strong issue with Deputy Jim O'Keeffe's use of the term "basket case". There has been an ongoing attempt to undermine the PIAB and it is regrettable that the Deputy should add to what has been a sustained campaign by vested interests to undermine the board.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy would have been aware of that campaign from the outset. Many solicitors for obvious and understandable reasons from their point of view were against its establishment. However, a number of solicitors I have met have admitted that it is working, although they acknowledge it has resulted in a significant loss of earnings for themselves and their companies.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: Even The Sunday Business Post article to which the Deputy referred acknowledges that insurance costs have decreased. Motor insurance and home insurance costs have fallen to 1999 levels. I refer the Deputy to a recent IBEC press release dated 2 November, which carried the heading "Rate of personal injuries claims falling". It was reported on "Drivetime" on Friday, 10 November that the...

Personal Injuries Assessment Board. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: I welcome and am a great admirer of the work of the committee from time to time, although not on all issues. It is important to have a sense of perspective in this debate. Deputy Jim O'Keeffe's comments on his assessment of the PIAB lack perspective and balance. As I stated, PIAB deals with cases. As Deputy O'Keeffe knows, cases are settled within two to seven months compared to three or...

Personal Injuries Assessment Board. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: Above all, through this programme, the Government helped to reduce motor and home insurance costs.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: I must respond — this is not rhetoric. Data from the Central Statistics Office show motor insurance costs for September 2005 dropped to levels last seen in September 1999. It also shows the cost of home insurance in September 2006 dropped below November 2001 levels. This is not me or any fancy rhetoric. It is Central Statistics Office data. I agree the insurance industry has higher...

Personal Injuries Assessment Board. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: ——and put his issues to them?

Personal Injuries Assessment Board. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: They would be more than willing to deal with Deputy O'Keeffe's questions and explain to him the progress being made.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: I have. I met with them, put these questions to them, received responses and articulated them to the House. I ask the Deputy——

Personal Injuries Assessment Board. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: ——to go to the board himself and not to add to the sustained campaign by vested interests to undermine it.

Skill Shortages. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: I understand the particular concern expressed by the American Chamber of Commerce survey relates to fourth level or PhD graduates. A concerted effort is made across Departments to promote fourth level education in Ireland. This is reflected in a number of ways, including in the work of bodies such as Science Foundation Ireland. The recently launched strategy for science, technology and...

Skill Shortages. (15 Nov 2006)

Micheál Martin: We have regular meetings with the American Chamber of Commerce. We will discuss this issue at future meetings. I meet individual companies overseas and here. In the overall context, through the extraordinary inward migration to Ireland and the expanded third level system, we make every possible effort to facilitate low and high skill availability. The decision in May 2004 regarding the...