Results 1,001-1,020 of 1,279 for speaker:Michael Ahern
- Seanad: Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Oct 2007)
Michael Ahern: I thank Senator Alex White especially for his interest in the legislation. I and my officials have noted the views he has expressed. We will return to the Bill in the Dáil. I thank him and all the other Senators for their contributions. It is important that Ireland comes into compliance with the EU directives or there will be a large fine to pay. It is also important for authors to...
- Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Statements. (18 Oct 2007)
Michael Ahern: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for giving me this opportunity to make a statement to the Seanad on the importance of foreign direct investment to the Irish economy and the role of both Government and IDA Ireland in promoting the country as an attractive location for this inward investment. In the past ten to 15 years, Ireland has undergone a transformation from a low-wage and low-cost...
- Seanad: Economic Competitiveness: Statements. (18 Oct 2007)
Michael Ahern: I thank Senators for their positive contributions. They have referred to the main areas of concern, including competitiveness, the need to ensure adequate infrastructure and the importance of education and training. I have responsibilities as Minister of State in both the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Education and Science in respect of research and...
- Unemployment Levels. (24 Oct 2007)
Michael Ahern: France and Spain.
- Job Creation. (24 Oct 2007)
Michael Ahern: That is how things work in the real world.
- Seanad: Work Permits (25 Oct 2007)
Michael Ahern: I thank the Senator for raising this matter on the Adjournment. On behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, who has responsibility for work permits, I will provide a reply. A significant number of non-EEA students pursue courses of study in third level institutions. Given our skill shortages in certain strategically important areas, the...
- Seanad: Work Permits (25 Oct 2007)
Michael Ahern: As this matter is not within my remit I do not have the details of which cases have been waived but I will speak to Deputy Martin, who is the responsible Minister.
- Seanad: Work Permits (25 Oct 2007)
Michael Ahern: I know a lot about work permits but do not know every detail of every case.
- Undocumented Irish in the United States: Motion (Resumed). (7 Nov 2007)
Michael Ahern: I ask the Deputy to withdraw that allegation.
- Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (8 Nov 2007)
Michael Ahern: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to put before the House the Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007 for consideration and debate. From the dawn of civilisation, writing has formed a central part of most known human cultures, enriching beyond estimation the lives of countless people over the ages. In times past, creators were required to rely for a...
- Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (8 Nov 2007)
Michael Ahern: It will go from 2009.
- Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (8 Nov 2007)
Michael Ahern: I thank Deputies Varadkar, Penrose, Finian McGrath, Terence Flanagan and Dooley for their positive contributions and support for this legislation. I concur with their comments on the social importance of libraries to urban and rural communities. A number of questions were raised by Deputies during their contributions. These questions are such that there is no need for a Committee Stage, but...
- Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (8 Nov 2007)
Michael Ahern: Payments will be made from 1 January and it is not envisaged that they will be retrospective.
- Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (8 Nov 2007)
Michael Ahern: That will be determined by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. However, I presume that it is envisaged it will be within the same range as that in the UK.
- Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (8 Nov 2007)
Michael Ahern: I do not have the details of this but maybe we will have a look at it on Committee Stage.
- Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (8 Nov 2007)
Michael Ahern: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.
- Tax Code. (20 Nov 2007)
Michael Ahern: I speak on behalf of the Minister for Transport. The Government is aware of the importance of the fuel duty rebate scheme for passenger bus transport services. The current scheme is a matter, in the first instance, for the Minister for Finance and the Revenue Commissioners. The background to this issue is that the 2003 EU energy tax directive incorporated special derogations which allowed...
- Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (28 Nov 2007)
Michael Ahern: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."
- Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2007)
Michael Ahern: I thank Deputies for the significant level of interest shown in contributing to the debate on this important piece of legislation, which provides recognition in statute for a public lending right to be exercised by authors. This interest was in evidence during the extensive debate here on Second Stage and subsequently in the amendments put down on Committee Stage. Equally, I thank Deputies...
- Science Education. (28 Nov 2007)
Michael Ahern: The Government has set a goal for Ireland to become a leader in research and development and innovation. It has committed a budget of â¬8.2 billion under the National Development Plan 2007-2013 and the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-2113 towards achieving this goal. One objective of the strategy is to increase participation in the sciences by young people and to bring...