Results 5,161-5,180 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Departmental Agencies. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy's predecessor as Fine Gael spokesperson on enterprise, trade and employment attacked my predecessor and me for what he claimed was our delay and prevarication in establishing a national consumer agency.

Departmental Agencies. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: When we introduced the relevant legislation the Deputy's predecessor said it was about time, only to oppose it later. Even in the context of NERA and Gama Construction Limited, we heard cries from the other side that we needed——

Departmental Agencies. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I will return to the issue of the Government's role. The cries were not only for a greater number of inspectors but also for sufficient legal capacity to take on unscrupulous employers who exploit workers. This requirement could not be satisfied by appointing additional inspectors without legal context or proper capacity to take on such employers in the courts. The Deputy will recall that...

Departmental Agencies. (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I accept the need for reform to make State agencies more accountable to the Legislature, through the relevant Minister. The OECD report makes an important point on the need for greater connectiveness in the wider public service, Civil Service, political system and, ultimately, Parliament.

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 21 together. I am aware of the concerns expressed by some commentators that the benefits of ongoing movements in exchange rates between the Euro and Sterling and the Euro and the Dollar are not being passed on to consumers. The National Consumer Agency has raised these concerns in bilateral discussions with retailers. In the course of those discussions,...

Written Answers — State Bodies: State Bodies (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: Last year my Department responded to the Director's request for additional staffing resources by increasing the approved Departmental staff complement from 30 to 38. Approved Garda staff numbers were also increased by one in 2007 bringing the total approved staffing complement of the ODCE to 46 posts. Four of these extra staff were provided to the ODCE in 2007, and my Departmental commitment...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: In 2007 Ireland's total merchandise trade (exports and imports) with the United States, totalled €22.81 billion, virtually unchanged from the 2006 figure of €22.99 billion. The value of our merchandise exports to the United States reached €15.78 billion, down 2.49% on the 2006 level of €16.18 billion. The value of our merchandise imports reached €7.03 billion, up from €6.81...

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: In the Budget Outlook unemployment is forecast to average at around 5.5% over the period 2008-2010. The Department of Finance will publish a revised forecast with its Pre-Budget Outlook in October. Ireland compares favourably with the EU27 average of 6.7%. The current rate of unemployment is 4.5% as published by the Central Statistics Office in its Quarterly National Household Survey,...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together. FÁS, as the national training and employment authority, has the remit to provide a range of proactive job-related services, supports and programmes, to assist individuals remain in and return to the labour market. The Agency also promotes workforce development by upgrading the competencies and qualifications of individuals and by...

Written Answers — Services Sector: Services Sector (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The recent data published by NCB Stockbroker's Services Purchasing Managers Index (SPMI) showed that business activity in the services sector experienced a slight decline in March — the first such contraction in 56 months. More specifically activity increased in the Business Services and Financial Services Sectors while decreases in activity were recorded in Transport, Travel, Tourism and...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 28, 45, 116 and 117 together. Following the enactment of the Competition (Amendment) Act 2006 which revoked the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order 1987 with effect from 20th March 2006, I asked the Competition Authority to review and monitor developments in the grocery sector in light of the new regulatory environment. The Authority published two...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The following Table lists the number of Enterprise Agency assisted (Enterprise Ireland, IDA, Shannon Development and Údarás na Gaeltachta) full-time jobs gained and lost in the manufacturing and services sectors in each of the last five years. The data shows that while 128,913 jobs were lost in that period, 131,136 new jobs were created giving a net increase in employment of 2,223 jobs....

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The proposed Blue Card Directive is one of five complementary instruments in the area of legal migration and aims to put in place arrangements that will attract high skilled workers to the EU. Whereas at present high skills workers come to individual member States, this scheme deals with the EU essentially as a single destination. While initiatives such as this that are designed to enhance...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: According to the European Commission, Ireland is one of only ten Member States who have specific schemes for admitting highly qualified workers into its labour market. Our principal initiative in this respect is the Green Card Scheme, which I introduced in January 2007. Green Cards are granted initially for a period of 2 years, and then may be renewed indefinitely. The benefit package...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: In 2007 FÁS provided Safe Pass Registration to 188,469 people and 17,000 people were registered under the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). FÁS has developed a number of new programmes under the CSCS including Steel Fixing, Mobile Access Tower, Shot Firing, Signing, Lighting and Guarding at Road Works, and the Location of Underground Services. FÁS was unable to complete the...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: The National Consumer Agency was established on a statutory basis on the commencement of the Consumer Protection Act 2007 on the 1st May 2007. The Act gave the Agency a significantly expanded remit with specific functions in areas such as consumer advocacy, research, information, education and awareness and enforcement. In the 12 months since its establishment, the Agency has been very active...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: There are currently a total of fifteen Directives due to be transposed by my Department up to 2012. Four of these Directives are currently overdue. Directive 2005/56/EC on cross-border mergers of limited liability companies is scheduled to be transposed by 30 May 2008. Directive 2007/13/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to common provisions for both measuring...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: Tackling high and increasing costs is a challenge and there are no simple solutions. International commodity prices such as oil and gas are outside our control. It is important, however, to ensure that our domestic cost base does not undermine competitiveness. The Government's last three budgets have been clearly non inflationary as a measure to help the cost environment for business. The...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (30 Apr 2008)

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 — Competition Authority: Competition Authority (30 Apr 2008)

Micheál Martin: In addition to its law enforcement and merger regulation functions under the Competition Act 2002, the Competition Authority has a duty to promote competition. One way in which the Authority fulfils this statutory duty is by studying how competition operates in the economy and making recommendations as it considers appropriate. In reports by the Competition Authority between 2002 and 2008,...