Results 701-720 of 50,134 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Work Permits. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: No, the enabling powers will cover a variety of issues, particularly the ongoing economic trends. Inevitably decisions on our work permits system are underpinned by economic criteria. I am in favour of giving greater autonomy to the employee and of the employee having the work permit. However, I need to ensure I do not introduce a system that ultimately might allow the employee to be even...

Prices Acts. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 17 and 54 together. On 16 December 2004 in reply to a parliamentary question I announced that I had decided not to proceed with the making of an order under the Prices Acts 1958 to 1972 to oblige doctors and dentists to display their charges. The reasons were both legal and practical. In particular, as a result of legal advice on the matter I had formed the...

Prices Acts. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The legal issues are very real and the most problematic would relate to data protection. We need to consider the practical implications. To check if patients had been charged no more than the price displayed, an inspector would need access to the patient records, which could not be done without the patients' consent. Whereas inspectors could seek consent, practical problems would arise. Would...

Prices Acts. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Alternatively would inspectors wait outside surgeries and ask patients to divulge their details? Neither of these scenarios offers a viable basis for enforcing any price display order.

Prices Acts. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The number of procedures and tests a patient can receive is increasing all the time. There is a generic charge for people seeing a doctor and they have an expectation as to what they will be charged. Some of the lists that emerged did not enthuse me. I am entirely pro-consumer and I am satisfied I took the right decision in the interests of the consumer.

Prices Acts. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I would argue to the contrary. It is not as simple as has been suggested. When I saw the file, I decided I could not preside over introducing a scheme that could result in a €200 charge instead of a €50 charge. Deputy Howlin, who was Minister for Health for two and a half years, has as much experience of the concerns we are discussing as I have. The Deputy is laughing in acknowledgement....

Prices Acts. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy should read my lips on this matter. Having reflected on the matter completely, it is better for the consumer not to go down this road. The legal issues are real in terms of doctor-patient confidentiality.

Job Losses. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 44, 65, 84, 87 and 121 together. I am aware of the recent job losses which have been announced. In such circumstances, my immediate concern is for workers who have lost their jobs or will lose them soon. The full services of FÁS are available to the workers at the earliest opportunity if they wish to avail of them. Services which are likely to be availed...

Job Losses. (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I referred to Cork because Question No. 65 relates to job losses at Schering Plough near Bandon. A Japanese pharmaceuticals company, Takeda Chemical Industries, has also begun construction in Clondalkin and will employ 50 people. A number of projects at Citywest are providing locally accessible employment opportunities for people in Clondalkin. The existing base of overseas companies in...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 43 and 74 together. Section 21 of the 1990 Act, as amended, prohibits the disclosure of information obtained under section 19 investigations except to certain specified "competent authorities" and for certain purposes. Accordingly, I am not in a position to disclose any details or findings of the investigations to date. Information and assistance has been...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 47 together. The report referred to is the Review of Enterprise Ireland Supported High Potential Start-ups 1989-2004, conducted by Enterprise Ireland. I should point out that the report is an internal report of Enterprise Ireland and as such is an operational issue for the agency and not one in which I have a direct function. Enterprise Ireland has...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: A Bill to put Ireland's existing employment permit system on a statutory basis is in the final stage of drafting. The intention is to have the Bill enacted before the summer recess. The preparatory stages of this Bill have taken longer than expected because of the change in labour market circumstances, due to the enlargement of the European Union. The proposed Employment Permits Bill 2005,...

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (24 Feb 2005)

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

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Following the establishment of the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority, IFSRA, on 1 May 2003, I no longer have responsibility in relation to the supervision and regulation of insurance undertakings. The Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority, IFSRA, under the aegis of the Minister for Finance now holds responsibility for practically all of the financial services industry,...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The current position in relation to the transposition of EU directives for which my Department is responsible indicates a total of 29 directives to be implemented, including nine for which the deadline for implementation, in full or in part, has passed. Details of the directives, including, in so far as it has been decided, the proposed transposition instruments, are available on my...

Written Answers — Commercial Rates: Commercial Rates (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: This matter is the primary responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. My Department has not carried out or commissioned research on the effects on businesses of the current system of commercial rates compared to a system of site value taxation.

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 41, 50 and 85 together. Between 17 and 25 January 2005, I accompanied the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, on an official visit and trade mission to China. The Ministers for Education and Science, Agriculture and Food and Communications, Marine and Natural Resources also participated. The trade mission was the largest in the history of the State, involving...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I understand that the liquidator has made considerable progress in realising the assets of the company and establishing the full extent of its liabilities and that he hopes to complete the liquidation process later this year. At this stage, the plant and machinery at the main production facilities at Arklow and Cork have been sold and are in the process of being dismantled and removed from...

Written Answers — Enterprise Strategy Group: Enterprise Strategy Group (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 78 together. Shortly after the launch of the enterprise strategy group's report in 2004, the Government asked a high level committee under the chairmanship of my Department to advise on the most appropriate means to progress implementation of its recommendations. The Government recently considered and endorsed that committees report, which was broadly...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: A total of 844 work permit applications in respect of the spouses of non-EEA nationals working here were issued up to 18 February 2005.