Results 4,101-4,120 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: He asked if it was biased against the claimant but that is nonsense.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: It is not. It seeks to provide a very good service. The old litigation service, as Deputy Charles Flanagan should know, being in the legal profession, was appalling. It was an adversarial system that lasted, in some cases, for three years which is an appalling situation for people with personal injuries. The PIAB is an effective instrument for which the Oireachtas, on all sides of both...

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: It is something that has worked and has been effective. I am not saying it is perfect or that we cannot have a continual review, but we should keep a balance and perspective in our commentary. It is not about the strong arm. The new practice that is emerging is neither valid nor sustainable. Something that should cost €50 is costing €1,500; that is not a runner.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: It is simple and straightforward and people outside the House will understand it readily.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Hogan's last point does not arise in the context of the case in the Supreme Court.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I cannot comment on the case while it is before the court.

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: There are no plans to ratify the European Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers which was finalised in 1977. However, I would point out that the provisions of the Convention in relation to work permits and re-employment have been largely provided for through the provisions of the Employment Permits Acts 2003 and 2006 and their implementation in practice. With regard to the UN...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Directive 98/6/EC on consumer protection in the indication of prices of products offered to consumers was transposed into Irish law by way of the European Communities (Requirements to Indicate Product Prices) Regulations 2002 (Statutory Instrument No. 639 of 2002). The aim of the Directive is to ensure that consumers have unambiguous indications as to the price of products. This is done by...

Written Answers — Protection of Copyright: Protection of Copyright (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together. The Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 (No. 28 of 2000) provides protection to musical publishers and recording artists in respect of their productions and recordings. The levels of protection provided are fully in line with EU and wider international law in the area of copyright and related rights and are widely regarded in...

Written Answers — Scale Verification: Scale Verification (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: Weighing equipment used for trade is subject to control by the Legal Metrology Service (LMS) in accordance with the Metrology Acts 1980 to 1998. The regime of control includes approval of new designs of weighing equipment, verification of instruments of an approved design upon installation and following repair or recalibration, and inspection over the life of the instruments. The maintenance...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Jul 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department has been making good progress in the relocation of the required 250 posts to Carlow under the Government's Decentralisation Programme. Officials of my Department, in consultation with the Department of Finance and the OPW, as well as decentralising staff and Business Units, are finalising arrangements for an advance move to Carlow ahead of the substantive move scheduled for...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (26 Sep 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 526 together. I understand from FÁS that there are no plans to increase or decrease the number of places on Community Employment in the above-mentioned geographical areas. All applicants who meet the eligibility criteria for Community Employment are entitled to apply for vacant positions, this includes people with disabilities and those on...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (26 Sep 2007)

Micheál Martin: Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine and...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (26 Sep 2007)

Micheál Martin: Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons (including those with a disability) with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a...

Written Answers — Science and Technology Groups: Science and Technology Groups (26 Sep 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-2013 sets out ambitious targets for placing Ireland firmly on the global map in terms of the excellence of our research and its application for the benefit of our people and our economy. We are investing in Ireland's R&D infrastructure and human capital as the cornerstone underpinning our future competitive place in the world. It is a...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (26 Sep 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department has informed me that a work permit has issued in this case.

Written Answers — Consumer Rights: Consumer Rights (26 Sep 2007)

Micheál Martin: Telecommunication companies like all traders have responsibilities under the Sale of Goods & Supply of Services Act 1980. Consumers who are unhappy with the service provided by the company referred to by the Deputy and who are of the view that the company is not supplying services with due skill, care and diligence as required under the 1980 Act, have the option of pursuing a claim before...

Written Answers — Small Business Forum: Small Business Forum (26 Sep 2007)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 546 together. The Report of the Small Business Forum published in May 2006, sets out a comprehensive agenda designed to ensure that the small business sector achieves its full potential and continues to play a key role in our economic development over the next decade. The Forum's recommendations were focussed on three fundamental objectives: creating a...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (26 Sep 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section of my Department has informed me that a work permit has issued in this case.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (26 Sep 2007)

Micheál Martin: The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency and not one in which I have a function. I have been informed by IDA that this property was surrendered to its owner on the 11 September, 2006. For commercial reasons, and in order to protect IDA's negotiating position in relation to any similar properties, it is not appropriate for...