Results 9,361-9,380 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Departmental Appointments. (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: He obviously does not know the man.

Departmental Appointments. (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy does not know of his capacity or capabilities——

Departmental Appointments. (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: ——as many in the House do. That the man made a small contribution to a party in a personal capacity, which he was more than entitled to do, in no way influenced anyone. I did not know of the contribution. It is scurrilous of Deputy Varadkar to imply that there was any lobbying for the position.

Departmental Appointments. (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I took a considerable period of time----

Departmental Appointments. (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Following the retirement of the previous chairman, I took considerable time to ensure that the next appointee would give the board the necessary direction and support. He has given both. Perhaps the Deputy might revert to the fact that his Government appointed a contributor, Mr. Lynch, with whom I have worked and who is eminently qualified to sit on a board. If someone makes a contribution...

Departmental Appointments. (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: As always, the Deputy has made an inference to win the populist vote. Mr. Cooney, who is well known by many Deputies, is eminently qualified, has significant capacity and is someone who knows what is occurring in the country. His skills and talents will add to the board's eminence. It would be more appropriate for the Deputy to familiarise himself with my appointee before throwing mud at him.

Departmental Appointments. (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I did.

Employment Rights. (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Acting Chairman never mentioned Tallaght.

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Consumer Protection Act 2007, which commenced in May last year, 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 empowers the Agency to review or approve Codes of Practice submitted to it by traders or their trade associations where the...

Written Answers — Prompt Payment System: Prompt Payment System (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Payment terms in commercial transactions are determined by the parties concerned and the responsibility for the collection of those payments and general credit control rests with the selling enterprise. As the Deputy has mentioned, the issue of late payments in commercial transactions is addressed by the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2002 (S.I....

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Enterprise Ireland I appointed Mr Hugh Cooney as Chairperson of the Board of Enterprise Ireland with effect from 1 November 2008. Shannon Development Two appointments were made to the Board of Shannon Development in May 2008. Dr Roger Downer was reappointed and Dr Richard Sadlier was appointed on 7 May 2008. Science Foundation Ireland Three appointments were made to the Board of Science...

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Grocery prices and their impact on household budgets have been the subject of much debate and concern for some time not just in this country but throughout the world. Whereas food inflation in Ireland remained relatively low throughout most of this decade, prices for a wide range of staple food items began to increase significantly from the early part of 2007. Annual food inflation continued...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The tables following outline the number of staff by grade in my private and constituency office and in those of each Minister of State within my Department. The cost for 2007 of each such office in terms of salary, overtime and expenses are included together with the costs for 2008 to date. It should be noted that the Office of the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation was created...

Written Answers — Foreign Direct Investment: Foreign Direct Investment (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: My Department and I are always mindful of potential international developments that could adversely effect foreign direct investment here. In that respect there is continuous liaison with the business community, through domestic and overseas channels, to monitor any potential changes. I am not aware of any concrete proposals to make changes to US tax legislation. While there has been some...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Maintaining the competitiveness of the enterprise sector in Ireland is a priority issue for my Department and our development agencies. In order to sustain and grow the manufacturing sector, Irish based manufacturing enterprises will be encouraged and assisted to continue the progression to high value added sectors and activities, and continue to increase productivity through investments in...

Written Answers — Fuel Prices: Fuel Prices (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 30 together. I am aware of the concerns expressed by a number of commentators in relation to the retail price of fuel products, such as petrol and diesel, and particularly that prices have not fallen commensurate with reductions in the wholesale price of oil. I am also aware of the findings of the Consumer Petroleum Price Products Survey published by...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: As part of an ongoing review of the 2002 Competition Act, submissions received on foot of a public consultation from a variety of interested parties are currently being considered by my officials. These submissions cover a range of issues, many of a technical nature. The Deputy will also be aware that the Government recently indicated its intention to amend section 4 of the Act subject to...

Written Answers — Prompt Payments System: Prompt Payments System (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I have met with the Irish Small And Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) and also the Small Firms Association (SFA) as recently as last night to discuss their concerns on a range of issues impacting on small businesses as result of the current economic situation. I am very much aware of the difficulties facing small firms in relation to access to credit finance and the impact of late...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Minister for Finance, in his Budget 2009 address, announced that the proposed decentralisation of a number of bodies was being deferred pending a review in 2011. This impacts on five agencies under my remit viz. FÁS, Enterprise Ireland (EI), Health and Safety Authority (HSA), National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) and National Consumer Agency (NCA). Decisions on the timing of...

Written Answers — FÁS Training Programmes: FÁS Training Programmes (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Matters relating to the payment of Jobseekers Benefit are the responsibility of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. In response to the current labour market climate FÁS has devised a number of measures that are designed to increase the availability of training courses for those who are seeking employment. FÁS has developed a Short Course Programme, which is targeted at the...