Results 8,601-8,620 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- FÁS Internal Audits. (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I have not decided on the terms of reference. The Comptroller and Auditor General is anxious to await the discussions in the House. He would like to consider the discussions of the Committee of Public Accounts before we bring the terms of reference to a finality.
- Public Sector Reform. (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I understand that the remarks to which the Deputy refers are those concerning reform of the public sector contained in the speech delivered by my colleague on 12 September. The Minister of State, Deputy John McGuinness, has made it clear that the remarks as delivered reflected his own personal views. The views expressed are some of many sets of views as to how the public sector should be...
- Public Sector Reform. (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: That is efficiency. Some of the Deputy's questions were addressed to me in my role as Tánaiste as opposed to my role as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It is important that there is balance in this area.
- Public Sector Reform. (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: My experience in the pay talks categorically shows there is an attitudinal change by employers, unions, politicians and the people who work in the public service. We must deal with productivity and flexibility issues; that is the only way services can be provided. There is an acceptance of that. It is hoped that, on the basis of discussions by the unions and employers, we will have...
- Public Sector Reform. (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: No, what I said was that one should never ask somebody to do something one would not do oneself.
- Public Sector Reform. (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: It is hard to answer that question. At the end of the day, the Deputy knows full well that is not the situation. With all due respect, I do not have the time to get into the complexities of why we are experiencing economic difficulties. It is important to say that the views expressed are my personal views, some of which have been reflected by people outside and within this House. In my...
- Alternative Dispute Resolution. (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: We get the facts and then we make the decisions, unlike the Deputy.
- Business Regulation. (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: There will be no lawyers left.
- Consumer Codes of Conduct. (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: If the Deputy buys me a gift voucher I will not let it expire.
- Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 144 together. The fact that Dell is undertaking a fundamental review of its manufacturing operations and global business model has been in the public domain for some time. More recently, Hewlitt Packard announced plans to implement a restructuring programme for one of its business groups. It is standard IDA practice, where any of its client...
- Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I have previously advised the House of legal advice received from the Attorney General that specific provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 2007, namely Sections 48 and 49, were not compatible with EU law. In this regard it is important to point out that Sections 48 and 49 prohibit traders from imposing additional charges solely by reason of customers choosing to make payment by one...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together. Staffing levels in my Department including the requirements of my office and those of my Ministers of State are continually kept under review. Any savings to be made in my Department's Vote for 2009, including those required to achieve the 3% reduction in payroll costs will be determined in the context of the 2009 Budget which will be...
- Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The Government decided on 8th July last that no further expenditure on the acquisition of accommodation for decentralisation should be sanctioned pending detailed consideration by the Government of two reports: one from the Decentralisation Implementation Group on the feasibility of phased moves by the State Agencies; and one from the Implementation Group of Secretaries General on the...
- Written Answers — Departmental Reviews: Departmental Reviews (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 143 together. The Competition Act, 2002 was introduced on foot of the Report of the Competition and Mergers Review Group which made a number of recommendations in relation to national competition and merger law. In addition to implementing many of those recommendations, the Act consolidated the previous competition and mergers legislation into one...
- Written Answers — Energy Costs: Energy Costs (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The Government is well aware of the importance of secure, competitive and sustainable energy supplies for the business sector and economic competitiveness. The Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security compliment regular Cabinet deliberations on competitiveness issues, including energy costs. My colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, has...
- Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: The budget for FÃS is agreed on the basis of detailed discussions between FÃS, my Department and the Department of Finance in the context of the annual Estimates process. The combined Exchequer and National Training Funds originally allocated to apprenticeship training by FÃS for 2008 amounted to approximately â¬134m. This figure was based on an estimated demand level for training. This...
- Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I would advise the Deputy that I have met the Chief Executive of the National Consumer Agency on two separate occasions since my initial meeting on 21st May 2008. In addition my officials liaise with the Agency on almost a daily basis. A range of issues were discussed in the course of these meetings including the issue of prices, grocery prices and the pricing of UK goods in Ireland. In...
- Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Several of the agencies for which my Department has responsibility provide training to those in employment or those seeking employment. However the bulk of such training is provided by FÃS, the Training and Employment Authority. The current FÃS Strategy Statement outlines the vision and direction for FÃS for the period 2006 to 2009. The Strategy is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure...
- Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: Broadband infrastructure and telecommunications policy is the primary responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural resources. This Government is fully aware of the importance of communications infrastructure for our economic competitiveness. The Government is committed to improving our broadband infrastructure and I would like to make the point that...
- Written Answers — Internal Audits: Internal Audits (24 Sep 2008)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 206 together. Regular Internal Audits are part of the normal governance process of any organisation and I am aware that of the many Internal Audits carried out into both FÃS activities and projects funded by FÃS, some have shown up irregularities and possible occasions of fraud. FÃS has referred two cases of possible fraudulent activity to the...