Results 921-940 of 50,136 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: I am unclear if the Deputy is referring to all workers.

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: That is more in convergence with the Government's policy.

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The work visa authorisation scheme was brought in for health care workers, construction professionals and IT workers.

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: It has not been reviewed since its introduction. The legislation allows us to either give a statutory underpinning to the scheme or review the policy. As these were areas of acute staff shortages in the economy, the Government changed the arrangements for those workers. Economic migration policy is adaptable and flexible to the given needs of a given time. It is not asylum policy that creates...

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: A point was raised earlier that if so many workers are coming in, what will be the impact on education and health services and other structures? There needs to be limits, balances and some degree of caution in thinking this through to five year's time. Originally, work permits were not intended for the long haul but for the duration of only one to two years.

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: In the cases of spouses of skilled non-EEA workers, 1,041 applied for permits of which 1,019 were granted.

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: I examined the cases of medical professionals on the old work permit scheme on an individual basis.

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: Not everyone comes to work in Ireland with a view to bringing the entire family.

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: Many skilled workers see it as a phase where they come to Ireland to earn higher wages and remunerate their families at home to increase their living standards. This is an understandable desire, as the Irish did it for many generations. There must be some balance in how we address this issue. Ireland has been more generous than most by having an open policy to inward worker migration. This...

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The numbers are substantial. Approximately 50,000 workers entered from the ten new EU member states in six months because Ireland had no barriers and those workers did not require work permits. There is complete mobility for all citizens of EU member states to work in Ireland.

Economic Competitiveness. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 239 together. Each year the National Competitiveness Council undertakes a comprehensive analysis of Ireland's competitiveness performance and publishes its results in its annual competitiveness report. The council benchmarks Ireland's performance relative to competitor countries, including Euro-zone countries. Based on this analysis the council also...

Economic Competitiveness. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: With regard to the Bill mentioned by the Deputy, my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, commented in the Seanad last week that certain aspects of the legislation would be reviewed and that the CLRG group would examine it. The Minister of State and I have heard a range of submissions and presentations from interested parties in various sectors who have concerns about...

Economic Competitiveness. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: We listened to those views and have responded to them. However, the experience of many major companies that locate in Ireland — I have met many of them through IDA Ireland — is that Ireland is probably the best place to locate and do business in Europe. The structures of governance in Ireland are more responsive and agile in meeting the needs of enterprise and in removing barriers or...

Economic Competitiveness. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Oireachtas committee.

Economic Competitiveness. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: No, it opposed the Minister's decision.

Economic Competitiveness. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: Yes, but the parliamentary question is about the competitiveness council's report.

Economic Competitiveness. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: That is the major vehicle for dealing with the competitiveness issue. We get an independent body, the competitiveness council, to assess the competitive challenges and to make recommendations to Government. When that happens, however, the Government is damned regardless of whether it implements the recommendations. Research and development is a key competitiveness issue. We have invested...

Economic Competitiveness. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: Waste disposal and energy costs are two significant areas of concern for industry and competitiveness. I support the broad strategic approach being pursued by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which involves——

Economic Competitiveness. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: ——prevention, waste reduction and elimination, recycling and so forth.

Economic Competitiveness. (20 Apr 2005)

Micheál Martin: Historically, this country did not deal well with the waste issue.