Results 721-740 of 50,064 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Consumer Rights: Consumer Rights (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 40 and 62 together. The consumer strategy group was established in March 2004 to advise and make recommendations on the development of a national consumer strategy. I have not yet received the group's final report. However, I do expect the group to present its report very shortly and that the report will be published shortly thereafter. I intend to fully...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 51 and 82 together. In so far as the future of Shannon Development is concerned, I refer to the reply I gave earlier to Priority Question No. 4, which outlines the up to date position in this regard. I am aware of the end of year returns published by Shannon Development and that these show positive results in the region, including a net growth of jobs in...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (24 Feb 2005)

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

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 — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: IDA Ireland is an autonomous statutory agency set up under the Industrial Development Acts 1986 to 2003. The agency operates in accordance with the provisions of the Acts and under the aegis of my Department. The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio, including the purchase and disposal of property, is a day-to-day operational matter for the agency as part of the statutory...

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

Micheál Martin: I have received a significant amount of correspondence in recent weeks in relation to the groceries order. These representations have generally been made by, or on behalf of, business interests which support retention of the order in its current form. I await the report of the consumer strategy group, which was established to deliberate on a wide range of consumer matters. Accordingly, I...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 56 together. A total of 16 investigations into company law matters were initiated by my predecessor from 1997 onwards. The High Court appointed, on an application by the Minister, inspectors under section 8 of the Companies Act 1990 in three cases. The inspectors appointed to Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited presented their report to the High Court on 10 June...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 123 together. The National Competitiveness Council's Statement on Prices and Costs 2004 highlights the key areas that contribute to Ireland's cost base and which affect our competitiveness. The statement also provided the statistical analysis for the NCC's Annual Competitiveness Report 2004, which was published in October together with the council's...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 73 together. I assure the Deputies that the Government, along with the State development agencies, is committed to balanced regional development, particularly through the implementation of the national spatial strategy and the Government's decentralisation programme. The State development agencies will continue to work together to attract investment and...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I refer the Deputy to my reply of 16 December 2004 to a question, reference no. 33743/04. As advised in that reply, the consumer strategy group, which is due to present its final report shortly, as part of its work examined price trends in this jurisdiction compared with prices in other parts of Europe for a variety of goods and services. I expect that the group's report will detail its...

Written Answers — Manufacturing Sector: Manufacturing Sector (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Enterprise policy is being actively refocused towards creating conditions that will make possible a sustained shift to higher skill, knowledge-intensive activities and in which advanced manufacturing expertise will be an important contributor to growth and employment. That new focus is essential if our enterprises are to capture sustainable competitive advantage in niche markets that are less...

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

Micheál Martin: It was with regret that I learnt of the announcement by Donegal Parian China that it intends to close its plant in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, with the loss 54 jobs. I understand that the decision to close is due to a reduction in demand. However, I am also advised that the company is to consolidate its production in its existing Belleek facility and that some 15 of the 54 Donegal employees...

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

Micheál Martin: Economic migration policy in Ireland is predicated on economic needs, and it therefore addresses identified labour and skills shortages. As the economy grew in recent years, there was a consequential increase in the demand for labour. Where suitable workers were not available in Ireland or the wider European Economic Area, which consists of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and, for this...

Written Answers — Enterprise Ireland: Enterprise Ireland (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Issues relating to job creation and retention in Enterprise Ireland client companies are day-to-day matters for the agency itself, and not one in which I am directly involved. Enterprise Ireland informs me that the resurgence in the international economy was reflected in the increase in Enterprise Ireland client export sales during 2004. Irish companies delivered a solid performance during...

Written Answers — Consumer Price Index: Consumer Price Index (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The analysis to which the Deputy refers resulted from an initiative whereby data for average prices in Dublin and outside Dublin in May 2004 was published by the Central Statistics Office last July — drawn from the national average prices published for the consumer price index. This initiative, which resulted from close co-operation between my Department, the CSO, the Office of the Director...

Written Answers — Banking Sector: Banking Sector (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Competition Authority published a report on the banking sector on 14 December 2004 which was prepared in conjunction with economic consultants LECG. The report contains 40 recommendations designed to enhance competition between banks for the benefit of personal banking customers and SMEs. Interested parties were invited to submit comments on the remedies to the competition issues outlined...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: Relocation is just one factor in the many enterprise related issues that determine employment levels. Firms invest in different regions for a variety of reasons and while there is little doubt that some firms establish themselves primarily to take advantage of reduced costs in lower wage economies this is often not the only factor in deciding where to invest. It is not possible to monitor the...

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: FÁS employment programmes, which comprise community employment, social economy and job initiative, will provide a total of 25,000 places in 2005. I am informed by FÁS that the number of participants on community employment was 24,991 in January, 2003, 19,848 in January 2004 and 22,194 in January 2005. On foot of a review of FÁS employment schemes, which included detailed consultations with...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: In the past few years Irish manufacturing firms, particularly in the more traditional sectors, have operated against a backdrop of significantly declining external demand, downward price pressure, and an increasingly competitive international environment — China, central and eastern Europe — together with upward pressure on costs and the strengthening of the euro against our key trading...

Written Answers — Personal Injuries Assessment Board: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (24 Feb 2005)

Micheál Martin: I understand that at this point the judge's ruling does not affect the majority of the approximately 3,000 cases currently being handled by the PIAB. Many accident victims are already successfully dealing directly with PIAB and the first awards under the system are due within the promised nine months time frame, without recourse to litigation and litigation costs. I remain fully committed to...