Results 21-40 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Economic Competitiveness. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: I welcome last month's publication of the National Competitiveness Council's 2004 annual competitiveness and competitiveness challenge reports. The key findings of the reports are that the economic environment for 2004 has been encouraging, significant improvements have been recorded in GNP growth and employment, there has been a reduction in the unemployment rate and foreign direct...

Economic Competitiveness. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: The Deputy referred to the role of the regulator, which was debated at some length during Taoiseach's Question Time. It is clear that the Government is examining that matter. Considerable progress could be made in this area if the examination is successful. The Deputy is aware of the work of the anti-inflation group, which has been meeting for a long time and has enjoyed considerable success...

Economic Competitiveness. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: An examination of the insurance area illustrates well the challenges we face in this regard. The Deputy is right to suggest that competition affects prices and value in this sector more than in many other sectors. He is also right to point out that the Personal Injuries Assessment Board has been challenged in the courts. The court challenge highlights the difficulty of dealing with the...

Tax Code. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: On 22 October last President Bush signed into law the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, which provides for the amnesty in question. It gives US multinationals a one-off chance to repatriate to the US accumulated profits held outside the US, by availing of a special effective corporate tax rate of 5.25%. Non-US profits repatriated to the US are normally taxed at between 35% and 40%. As the...

Tax Code. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: The issue of whether the report will be published is for the Minister, Deputy Martin, and I will mention to him the Deputy's interest in that regard. On the profits currently enjoyed by US companies in Ireland, it is not at all clear — and not likely — that much is reinvested in Ireland. The taxation regime undoubtedly makes it difficult for the profits to be repatriated to the US, but it...

Tax Code. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: I had reason to read all the statements made by the Taoiseach on the US election, both before and after the event, and I found no evidence that he was cheer-leading either candidate. On the contrary, he took an extremely neutral view. I take the Deputy's point on the importance of foreign direct investment in Ireland and that this country has been the biggest beneficiary of American direct...

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 133 together. The research agenda is one of the most important elements in the Department's drive——

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: I am taking these two together, but separately from Questions Nos. 76 and 96. The research agenda is one of the most important elements in the Department's drive to grow competitiveness and quality employment. As the Deputy has identified, several recent reports, including those of the National Competitiveness Council, the enterprise strategy review group and the national research and...

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: I do not have up-to-date information because figures are not available regarding the uptake of the tax credit.

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: The indications from industry are extremely positive in that it has been a significant incentive to industry. However, the tax credit is relatively new. I will forward figures to the Deputy if they become available. I refer to the GDP target and the current position on expenditure. The Deputy is correct that a significant gap must be bridged. The Minister has asked the interdepartmental...

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: I refer to the number of research and development personnel. It is projected that to meet the target, Ireland will need to have 8,000 research and development personnel in place by 2010. The report on future skills estimated that, within current constraints across a range of fronts, the shortfall would be between 3,500 and 3,600. A number of initiatives have been taken, not least by Science...

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: Renewable energy is a matter for the Minister responsible. However, a number of programmes have been introduced in this area. The interdepartmental committee and the Cabinet sub-committee are addressing a much wider range of research and development and science and technology proposals than the narrow ones regarded as the core business of Science Foundation Ireland. I attended the launch of...

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 96 together. In so far as my Department's area of responsibility is concerned, key issues covered by the Lisbon Agenda relate to establishing a European area for research and innovation, creating a friendly environment for starting up and developing innovative businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, developing an active EU employment...

Lisbon Agenda. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: I am aware of the findings of Wim Kok's report. The Deputy will not be surprised to hear that the issue frequently features at European Council meetings. The European partners have directed much attention to trying to achieve the Lisbon targets and those of the Barcelona agreement in that regard. The partnership process here is considerably more well developed than at European level, but I...

Consumer Rights Enforcer Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: I commend Deputy Hogan for bringing forward the Consumer Rights Enforcer Bill 2004. We usually deal with motions during Private Members' time and I always commend Members on the opposite side of the House who take the trouble to prepare a Bill. On this occasion Deputy Hogan has done the House a service by providing an opportunity to discuss some important issues which arise in regard to...

Consumer Rights Enforcer Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: He said that was no good and that he had a customer who promised that if he was elected, he would reduce it straight away.

Consumer Rights Enforcer Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: I will not name anybody. In any event, he indicated that in view of the fact that somebody else was prepared to deliver the goods immediately he would vote for them. In the excitement of the election campaign I forgot all about it until about six months later when I was back at the petrol station and the same fellow was filling a car with diesel. He told me that I was right, that it cannot be...

Consumer Rights Enforcer Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: The current Director of Consumer Affairs is an independent statutory officer appointed by the Public Appointments Service. As a general principle, appointments made in this manner are much more likely to find favour outside the Oireachtas than the Deputy's proposal. Members frequently complain that answerability to Parliament is not sufficient across a wide range of issues. If we were to...

Consumer Rights Enforcer Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: It would be premature to proceed with the Bill given that a report on the matter is only a few months from completion. I acknowledge, however, that there is considerable merit in proceeding with legislation at an appropriate time. The Bill would simply rename the office of the Director of Consumer Affairs which already exists as an independent statutory office under section 9(5) of the...

Consumer Rights Enforcer Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Nov 2004)

Tony Killeen: All businesses cannot be tarred with the same brush. The efforts of many to provide real value and service to the consumer must be acknowledged. They have come to appreciate the value of a satisfied customer, seeing a professional approach to quality customer service as a key part of business strategy. The logic of such an approach is irrefutable. A satisfied customer will obviously return...