Results 641-660 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (22 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The following table provides data on jobs created with the assistance of Enterprise Ireland between 1998 and 2004. The table also provides data on jobs assisted by Enterprise Ireland in County Laois in 2004.

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (22 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment, FDI, to Ireland, including its regions. Data on job creation are compiled from an annual employment survey carried out by Forfás. County data for 2004 will not be available until mid-2005. The number of IDA Ireland-supported companies in County Laois and the numbers of jobs created and...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (22 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The consumer strategy group was established to deliberate on a wide range of consumer matters. I am awaiting the report of group and I expect that it will contain recommendations on the groceries order. On receipt of the report, I will consider the group's findings in consultation with my Government colleagues and interested parties before deciding what action is appropriate.

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (22 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment, FDI, to Ireland and its regions. In its 2004 end-of-year statement, IDA Ireland indicated that 2004 was the best year since 2000 in terms of the quality, depth and value of the investment decisions won. It indicated that an estimated 10,800 new jobs were created. However, more precise data...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (22 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The implementation of regional development strategy is a day-to-day matter for the industrial development agencies concerned and not one in which I am directly involved. However, in line with stated Government policy, Enterprise Ireland seeks to encourage a balanced spread of regional development. Enterprise Ireland's strategy in this regard includes encouraging companies, where relevant, to...

Written Answers — Retail Sector Developments: Retail Sector Developments (22 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The concerns raised in the submission on changes to the retail planning guidelines are the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Accordingly, I have arranged to forward a copy of the submission to that Minister for his attention. On the groceries order, I am awaiting the report of the consumer strategy group, which was established last year to...

Written Answers — Metrology Service: Metrology Service (22 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I understand from the legal metrology service of the National Standards Authority of Ireland that measures are being progressed to facilitate the early resumption of inspection in meat plants. An issue that remains to be resolved relates to the contracting of hauliers for the carriage of the necessary test weights to and from different premises. Legal aspects relating to the establishment of...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Employment is broken down by region only and not into specific areas such as the area in question. According to the latest quarterly national household survey published by the Central Statistics Office, employment in the Dublin region for June to August 2004 was 560,200. The corresponding figure for June to August 2003 was 553,900. The unemployment figures for the corresponding quarters were...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I have noted the concerns raised in regard to the order. The consumer strategy group was established to deliberate on a wide range of consumer matters. I am currently awaiting the report of group and I expect that it will contain recommendations in relation to the groceries order. On receipt of the report, I will consider the group's findings in consultation with my Government colleagues and...

Written Answers — Live Register: Live Register (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The live register figures for Cobh show 436 in January 2005, as against 452 in January 2004, a decrease of 3.5%. Figures for Mitchelstown are included with Fermoy and these show 865 on the live register in January 2005, as against 890 in January 2004 a decrease of 2.8%. In Youghal, there were 690 on the live register in January 2005, as against 756 in January 2004, a decrease of 8.7%....

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Is the Senator quick footed?

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I welcome the opportunity presented by the motion to discuss the overall performance of Ireland in recent years in the areas of employment generation, economic success and the objective of maintaining our success going forward. I am also pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the key issues we must address to maintain our competitiveness and the premier status we enjoy among our European...

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Senator Ryan is keeping an eye on me. The number of unemployed people has fallen by almost 80,000 from 10.4% to 4.4% in 1997, which is half the average rate among the 25 member states. The number of long-term unemployed persons has dropped by nearly 60,000 from 5.5% to 1.4%, which is approximately 33.3% of the EU average. While unemployment has remained consistently low, it remains necessary...

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: It applies to both indigenous and foreign direct investment. It is crucial to the success story of foreign direct investment. I am only at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment since December, but as Minister for Education and Science and also as Minister for Health and Children I dealt with multinational companies. From my experience, the message is clear — without the...

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I know.

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: A survey by one of the major financial magazines still listed Ireland as having the lowest rate, although I will check that fact. However, we are speaking of countries such as Switzerland, Puerto Rico and Singapore as the real competitors in terms of attracting foreign direct investment. Many companies will go to eastern Europe for a range of strategic reasons anyway, but we should not get...

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Without the EU we simply would not have been in a position to transform ourselves. We are perceived by many multinational companies as a gateway to the European market. During Ireland's EU Presidency, the Tánaiste sought to reinvigorate the European economic agenda by repositioning the Lisbon Agenda as a centrepiece for the future, as well as concentrating on employment and growth in Europe....

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I am sorry, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. The success is so good I could speak forever.

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Approximately 129,000 people are employed by 1,050 companies, half of which are from the United States, so the American dimension is very important. These US companies are responsible for nearly 70% of the value of investments here. US investment is crucial to Ireland's economic success story — it is the largest source of inward investment and accounts for the biggest exporting sector in...

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: It is unfair to say it is the IDA's failure. The bottom line is that we must win against stiff competition. We then try to regionalise and the IDA has a regional mandate. The IDA is busily developing infrastructure in Ballinasloe with Enterprise Ireland. I had a good meeting with a company that came to Ballinsloe through foreign direct investment. I have also met some indigenous companies...