Results 761-780 of 11,979 for speaker:Billy Kelleher

Consumer Issues: Motion (Resumed) (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: However, the downward trend in these prices has continued, and no increase is now necessary.

Consumer Issues: Motion (Resumed) (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: This is welcome news for business and consumers. As Deputies know, in the context of prices referred to by Deputy Connaughton, we have an unregulated market and we do not have price controls over the price at the pump. It is a competitive market and people must be conscious of shopping around and supporting those——

Consumer Issues: Motion (Resumed) (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: ——who pass on lower prices. It is a competitive market. If Ireland is to maximise its future competitiveness in the global economy, we will continue to need the best possible regulatory environment. In a difficult trading environment, we will work to ensure businesses are not burdened with unnecessary red tape. So far, we have been performing well in this area. The World Bank ranks us...

Consumer Issues: Motion (Resumed) (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Only one minute.

Consumer Issues: Motion (Resumed) (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Is that left or gone?

Consumer Issues: Motion (Resumed) (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: While it is important that we highlight the inadequacies in certain areas, such as a lack of competition or the fact that people travel from the Republic to the North, we must also acknowledge many positive things are happening here. The World Bank's rankings show that we have a balance——

Consumer Issues: Motion (Resumed) (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: ——with regard to proper regulation and ensuring that we do not overburden business. I would like to have said a great deal more but the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's five minutes went by very quickly.

Consumer Issues: Motion (Resumed) (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I will listen to the rest of the debate.

Consumer Issues: Motion (Resumed) (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Our rate of capital investment is the highest in the OECD.

Company Closures. (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I thank Deputy Allen for raising this matter. Like him, I am disappointed to hear about the job losses at this particular company. It is a historic company, being one of the oldest trading in Cork. Beamish has been synonymous with Cork for many years. Historians have reported there was a brewing site on South Main Street for over 400 years and Beamish has been on that site for centuries....

Company Closures. (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Yes, she was, but at the time the staff were being informed by Heineken Ireland of the discussions with the trade unions and others on the merger. It will be a sad day when brewing ceases on that site. All we can hope is that the agreed severance packages will be adhered to and that FÁS and other training agencies will assist those who have lost their jobs. In the meantime, we must ensure...

Company Closures. (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I accept that coming up to Christmas it is a difficult time for the families of those employees affected. Deputy Allen and I know people who work and have worked in Beamish. I will inquire of the SABMiller approach and revert to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 89 and 118 together. The Employment Law Compliance Bill 2008 is designed to give effect to shared commitments in Part 2 of the 10 Year Framework Social Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016, to greatly increase public confidence in the system of employment law compliance. The establishment of a new, statutory office to secure better compliance with...

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 98 and 117 together. I refer the Deputies to my answer on Thursday, 20th November 2008 to Questions Nos. 43, 51 & 52 that relate to the same matters. The Health and Safety Authority is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated statutory provisions. There have been 54 workplace...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: The following table of figures shows the actual number of employees who qualified for statutory redundancy lump sum payments on a year by year basis from January 2002 to end November 2008. This does not reflect those who lost their jobs having less than two years service in an employment, as this does not qualify for payment under the Redundancy Acts. The increase in redundancies reflected...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: The European Parliament by way of its legislative Resolution, of 22 October 2008, have approved the Council common position for adopting a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Temporary Agency Work. I welcome the fact that the Parliament, in Plenary, accepted the Council common position without amendment. This matter will now be scheduled for a forthcoming Council of...

Written Answers — Social Partnership: Social Partnership (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: The Towards 2016 Transitional Agreement provides for a number of commitments, including some involving legislation, aimed at strengthening protections for employment standards, while also ensuring that Ireland continues to provide an excellent environment for business and job creation. Commitments that are likely to have a legislative dimension include enactment of the Employment Law...

Written Answers — Trade Union Recognition: Trade Union Recognition (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Trade unions holding a negotiating licence are free to engage in collective bargaining on wages and conditions of employment. Ireland's system of industrial relations is based on a voluntary approach with terms and conditions of employment being determined in the main by a process of voluntary collective bargaining between the parties, without the intervention of the State. The collective...

Written Answers — Labour Inspectorate: Labour Inspectorate (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: NERA currently has in place a team of 80 Inspectors following recruitment competitions for an additional fifty-nine Inspectors to bring the number of Inspectors from the original level of 31 up to the level of 90 committed to under Towards 2016. Fifty-nine inspectors were assigned to NERA from these competitions. All NERA inspectors were recruited by way of competitive procedures, including...

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (10 Dec 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Data from the CSO quarterly industrial survey shows that average industrial earnings per hour for male industrial workers on adult rates in June 2007 was €16.62. The average rate for female industrial workers was €12.73. The CSO National Employment Survey for October 2006 showed that average hourly earnings were €20.50 for males and €17.67 for females. The latter figures cover the...