Results 4,401-4,420 of 51,015 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: At the Africa Caribbean Pacific (ACP)-EU Joint Council of Ministers in May of this year, all 6 ACP regions, together with the EU, reaffirmed their intention to conclude full EPAs (including provisions on services and investment) before the deadline of the 31st of December 2007. After that date the current trading arrangements under the Cotonou Agreement must end if the EU and our ACP partners...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: Under the Industrial Development Act of 1986, as amended by the Acts of 1993 and 1995, IDA Ireland has the power to acquire, hold and dispose of land and any other property or any interest therein for the purpose of facilitating an industrial undertaking. Only when the Agency intends to dispose of land, other than in accordance with facilitating an industrial undertaking, is the consent of...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section has indicated that, in general, employment permits are only issued in respect of full-time positions and for persons over the age of 18. However, under the current Spousal/Dependant Permit Scheme the Employment Permits Section can consider applications in respect of eligible Dependants over the age of 16. This is in line with the Protection of Young Persons...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section has indicated that they received an application in respect of the above named on the 12/12/2006. This application cannot be considered until the applicant's immigration status has been resolved with the immigration authorities. However, in the event that her immigration status is resolved then the Employment Permits Section would look favourably on the work...

Written Answers — Competition Legislation: Competition Legislation (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: I understand that both the Health Services Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health separately received legal advice on the interpretation and application of the Competition Act 2002. Section 4 of that Act prohibits anti-competitive practices, such as price fixing, by "undertakings". An "undertaking" is defined in the Act as "a person being an individual, a body corporate or an...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following tabular statement: Address of Building Fully Accessible Not accessible 23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2 Yes Davitt House, Dublin 2 Yes Earlsfort Centre, Dublin 2, Plans are in train for disability access in 2008 No Companies Registration Office, Parnell House, Dublin 1 Yes Office of The Director of Corporate...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The breakdown of the cost of running the press office (inclusive of salaries) of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for the first 3 quarters of 2007 are as follows: 2007 Total Cost â'¬ 1st Quarter 72,389.05 2nd Quarter 100,578.63 3rd Quarter 74,893.67

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The websites run by my Department are set out on the following tabular statement. In relation to websites run by the agencies, these websites are a vital tool for all agencies in providing information to their clients and to the wider public. The establishment and running of such sites is a day-to-day operational matter for the agencies concerned and one in which I have no function. ...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The Employment Permits Section has indicated that the issue of any renewal permit, including a Work Authorisation, can only be considered when it transpires that the foreign national concerned worked for the full term of the existing permit. If there is any break in employment then this constitutes a new application. I understand that a new Green Card Permit issued in respect of the above...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: My Department has a very broad remit with many Offices of the Department, as well as Agencies, charged with carrying out their specific remit as well as acting in an advisory role. In general, I am accountable to Dáil Éireann in respect of the legislative basis and policy framework for these Bodies. However, I am not accountable for their "day-to-day" operational activities. These Offices...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (27 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The procedures followed are in compliance with the Data Protection Act, and include technical safeguards in respect of personal data. To date my Department has assigned responsibility to thirteen Data Controllers who are responsible for all aspects of personal information held in my Department. These appointments are reviewed annually to ensure that all existing and new areas of work within...

Business Regulation. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: In March, the European Council agreed that administrative burdens arising from EU legislation should be reduced by 25% by 2012. Taking into account the different starting points and traditions, the Council invited member states to set their own national targets of comparable ambition within their spheres of competence by 2008. Prior to the Taoiseach's departure for the spring European...

Business Regulation. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: As regards responding to the European Council's invitation to member states to set national targets, an appropriate target will be set for Ireland — we are considered to be relatively lightly regulated — after full consultation with Departments and agencies. I intend to bring that part before the Government.

Business Regulation. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: I did not catch that last part.

Business Regulation. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: I stated that during the previous Question Time some weeks ago. The Deputy did not hear it then, nor did he hear it now. I have made clear the way I am proceeding.

Business Regulation. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: Yes. Due to the imposition in terms of staffing and costs, the route we are taking is more realistic and effective. The EU invited member states to have targets by 2008 and we will have begun a realistic and informed process to that effect. Anyone can set a target, but achieving the target is the key issue.

Business Regulation. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The audit exemption threshold, on which I took a decision last year, is estimated to save businesses between €10 million and €20 million. Research is ongoing in that respect. Through simplifying the process by which companies recover redundancy payments, we have effected a saving of approximately €1.2 million to the companies concerned. That is a global figure. Where there are clear...

Business Regulation. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: Within the next two months.

Live Register. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: The total number of people recorded on the live register for October is 157,449. This is a significant decrease in the numbers recorded in the previous four months of 2007. It also equals the average numbers recorded on the live register for the year in 2005 and 2006. Employment has increased by 247,300 in a three year period since 2004 and the number in employment is 2,140,900. The live...

Live Register. (28 Nov 2007)

Micheál Martin: I have given the statistics to show that the rate has fallen since this time last year. The key point is that FÁS undertakes activation measures. After three months, FÁS and the Department of Social and Family Affairs meet everybody who is on the register and offer them a variety of programmes for reorientation, training or opportunities. The macro and microeconomies are not separate....