Results 4,841-4,860 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (20 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Freedom of Information Act came into effect on the 21st April 1998. The number of FOI requests that have been received by my Department each year since 1998 is set out in the following table. My Department takes a proactive approach to Freedom of Information and to openness and transparency in general. Much information is released outside of FOI and therefore is not reflected in the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: The additional information requested by the Deputy has been provided by Enterprise Ireland and is set out in the following tabular statement. As I pointed out in my reply last Wednesday, payment and repayment of grants are day to day operational matters for the Industrial Development agencies, in this case Enterprise Ireland, and I do not have a role in these matters. If the Deputy requires...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (21 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: Enterprise Ireland (EI) is to move 300 posts to Shannon under the decentralisation programme. Progress on the full transfer of EI's HQ to Shannon, within the Government decentralisation programme, will be influenced by factors (many exogenous to EI) such as; the level of interest in the Shannon location expressed by CAF applicants and by progress made discussions at a central level on...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (21 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: I do not appoint members to the Board of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs). The 35 CEBs are individual companies limited by guarantee and appointment to their Board is effected by ordinary Resolution of the Board of Directors, as set out in the Articles of Association of each Board. The Articles also set out the relevant categories of persons, bodies and organisations from which...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (21 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: Under the Industrial Development (Enterprise Ireland) Act, 1998 the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment appoints, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, eleven of the twelve members of the board of Enterprise Ireland. The CEO of Enterprise Ireland is an ex officio member of the Board as set out under the Industrial Development (Enterprise Ireland) Act, 1998.

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (21 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: In accordance with the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999, the North/South Ministerial Council appoints the members of the Board of InterTradeIreland. The North/South Ministerial Council meeting in Institutional Format on the 17th December 2007 appointed the current twelve members of the Board of InterTradeIreland for a four-year term.

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (21 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: Section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act 2007 provides that the Agency shall consist of a chairperson and 12 ordinary members including the Chief Executive. Section 14 of the Act provides that, following the holding of a competition, the Chief Executive shall be appointed by the Agency with the approval of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. All appointments to the Agency...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (21 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Patent Agents Board and the Trade Mark Agents Board are set up under statute and comprise the person who, at the relevant time, occupies the position of Controller of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks and, other persons appointed solely by the Minister. In normal course there are five members, including the Controller, on the Board. Representation is normally drawn from the professional...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (21 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: Section 56 of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Act 2003 provides for eleven Board members and these appointments are made by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The membership comprises the Chairperson and the Chief Executive of the Board, the Chief Executive of the National Consumer Agency and the Consumer Director of the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority as...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (21 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: In accordance with Section 8(4) of the Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Act 2003, all appointments to the board of Science Foundation Ireland are made by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, following consultation with the Minister for Education & Science. The section also provides that the Minister for Education &...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (21 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: Section 35 of the Competition Act 2002 provides that the Competition Authority shall consist of a chairperson and such number of other whole-time members, not being less than 2 nor more than 4, as the Minster for Enterprise, Trade and Employment determines and appoints. I may also appoint part-time members. Appointments to the Authority are made by me following a competition and selection...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (21 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: Since the Groceries Order was abolished, the Consumer Price Index shows that the prices of products previously covered by the Groceries Order rose by 5.3% and prices of products not covered by the Groceries Order rose by 4.5% in the period from March 2006 to January 2008. During the same period, prices of products covered by the Groceries Order and products not previously covered by the...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (26 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: It would be entirely misleading to suggest that plant relocation or company restructuring giving rise to job losses, whether due to individual firm or sector challenges, indicate that whole economies are uncompetitive. Companies allocate their resources and plant location strategies for many practical and business reasons such as to be closer to key customers, to have access to specialist...

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (26 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: I have no plans to amend the Personal Injuries Assessment Board legislation as proposed. The settlement of hospital bills is a matter for the patient and the hospital concerned, and the PIAB has no function in this matter.

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (26 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together. IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland and its regions. The marketing of individual areas for new or expansion FDI investments and jobs is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency. While I may give general policy directives to the Agency, I am...

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (26 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy is, no doubt, aware the provision of taxis, which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users, is a matter for each taxi company and the Taxi Regulator. However, my understanding is that the main taxi company used by my Department and its Offices has approximately 10% of vehicles available for people with disabilities and wheelchair users. The amount...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (26 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: An employment Permit for an unlimited period has already been issued in respect of the above person. There is no record of any new application having been received.

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (27 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy's question refers to the practice of the company concerned imposing a charge on customers who pay their bills by means other than direct debit. I note the concerns expressed by a number of commentators that this charge could impact disproportionately on certain groups of vulnerable consumers. I understand that the National Consumer Agency (NCA) received a number of complaints from...

Priority Questions. (28 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: We are open to all questions——

Priority Questions. (28 Feb 2008)

Micheál Martin: ——subject to the parameters of Standing Orders.