Results 8,201-8,220 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Order of Business (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: We do not have a date. There will be a differential between foreshore responsibilities; some of which will remain within the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, including the issues of piers and harbours, ports and fishery harbours, while the other aspects will be transferred to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Given that there have been changes...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Directive 2005/32/EC, which establishes a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-using products, and proposals on individual products arising under the Framework Directive, fall within the aegis of my Department. The Department deals with proposals in conjunction with an Inter-Departmental/Inter-Agency Group including representatives from the Department of Environment,...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Ministerial cars are driven by members of an Garda Síochána. Such vehicles are exempt from tolls under section 62 of the Roads Act 1993. Accordingly, no cost arises to the Exchequer.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that this application was refused on the grounds that the proposed employee is currently resident in the State on a Student Stamp and is completing his studies. He is, therefore, ineligible to enter full-time employment. This decision was upheld on appeal. However, should the applicant successfully complete his studies and apply to...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Consumer Protection Act 2007 empowers the National Consumer Agency to prepare and publish Guidelines to traders in relation to matters of consumer welfare and protection and matters related to commercial practices. The Act also entitles the Agency to review or approve Codes of Practice voluntarily submitted to it by traders or their trade associations where the Agency is satisfied that...

Written Answers — Enterprise Support Services: Enterprise Support Services (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Enterprise Ireland has primary responsibility for Irish companies in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors. It supports companies employing 10 or more people and start-up companies which have the potential to employ 10 or more people and reach or exceed €1m in exports over three years. The flow of innovative start-ups into the Irish economy is critical for future...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy will be aware that since the beginning of the year there have been significant increases in both the wholesale and retail price of petrol and diesel products, caused by a combination of strong demand, tight capacities and some market speculation. Ireland has no control over world oil prices. Government policy in relation to prices, including the price of commodities such as...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (22 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I am aware of concerns expressed that some multi-national retailers are charging higher prices for food products in Ireland than in the UK. Whilst undoubtedly rising food prices are being experienced across the world, the findings of recent surveys showing that the cost of certain food items to Irish consumers is significantly greater than the cost of such items to UK consumers are certainly...

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I corrected that.

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Under the terms of the current Treaties and of the Lisbon Reform Treaty any WTO deal will require a unanimous decision within the EU Council of Ministers. We will have the same capacity to influence, support, or oppose, as appropriate, any WTO deal under the Lisbon Reform Treaty as we have today. This position has been confirmed by the EU Commission. The Government's focus in these...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that the Employment Permits Section will examine, on a fast track basis, new applications for Employment Permits made by foreign nationals who have been made redundant. Applications will be accepted for a three-month period after the employment has been terminated by reason of redundancy. Applications outside of this timeframe have...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that under the Employment Permits Act 2006, which was enacted on the 1st January, 2007, all employment permits are now granted and issued to the employee. The Act also allows for an application for an employment permit to be made by either the employer or the employee. All Employment Permits issued by the Department of Enterprise,...

Written Answers — Housing Management Companies: Housing Management Companies (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Where established as a registered company under the Companies Acts 1963-2006, a company becomes a body corporate as and from the date mentioned in its certificate of incorporation. This would apply in the case of a company that provides property management services.

Written Answers — Industrial Development: Industrial Development (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Under the Industrial Development Acts, the purchase, disposal or leasing of property by IDA Ireland is an operational matter for the Agency, and not one in which the Minister of the day has a function. I have been informed that the Agency has no plans currently in relation to the purchase of property in Carlow town. I understand from the Agency that there are a number of private sector...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Forfás Annual Employment Survey reports on job gains and losses in companies that are clients of the industrial development agencies. Information is aggregated on an annualised basis at county level. The information is provided by companies on a confidential basis for statistical purposes only. The number of jobs created in IDA supported companies in County Carlow and County Kilkenny...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Due to the fact that my Department changed its financial management system within the last five years, the information on expenditure requested by the Deputy is readily available only from the beginning of 2004. Year Expenditure € 2004 759,286 2005 1,235,340 2006 1,118,903 2007 1,198,448 2008 Jan-April 341,515 Competition and Consumer Policy Section is a Unit within the...

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: While I have no direct function in relation to this matter, I understand that the case referred to by the Deputy relates to the practice of the company concerned imposing a charge on customers who pay their bills by means other than by direct debit. I understand that the National Consumer Agency (NCA) has received a number of complaints on this matter from consumers. I am advised that the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The number of civil servants in my Department at the grade of Assistant Principal and higher are as outlined in the table attached. Of the number at each grade one Assistant Principal was recruited from outside of the Civil Service in 2004. Since then and in accordance with the promotion sequence as determined by the Department of Finance, all vacancies in this Department to be filled from...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that the Spousal/Dependant Scheme gives greater ease of access to employment for spouses/dependants of all employment permit holders, who have been admitted to the State under Family Reunification by: Not requiring the employer in question to advertise the job with FÁS/EURES in advance of making a work permit application, Accepting...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (27 May 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that this application was refused on the grounds that it is current Government policy to issue new employment permits only for highly skilled, highly paid positions or for non-EEA nationals already legally resident in the State on valid employment permits. Furthermore, the above named is resident in the State on a Visitor stamp and...