Results 1,081-1,100 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Enterprise Centres: Enterprise Centres (24 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: The allocation of grants under the community enterprise centre, CEC, scheme is the responsibility of Enterprise Ireland, the agency charged with administering the scheme, and not a matter in which I have a direct role. I am informed by Enterprise Ireland that in 2000, the agency approved grant support totalling €940,442 for Bray Community Enterprise Limited towards the building of a...

Written Answers — Warehouse Agreements: Warehouse Agreements (24 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: This provision was included in the Competition Act 2002 in line with standard international practice for regulating transactions of a purely financial investment nature. The rationale for the provision is essentially to lighten the regulatory burden for mergers and acquisitions which raise no competition concerns. For example, the EU merger regulation contains a similar exemption. The matter...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (25 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: The work permits section of my Department issued a work permit in respect of the named individual, valid from 26 July 2004 to 25 July 2005. There is no record of any further application having been received.

Written Answers — Grocery Industry: Grocery Industry (26 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: I have noted the consumer strategy group's recommendation that the groceries order be revoked in its entirety. I noted also the recent report of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business which recommended that the order be retained in its current form. In light of these divergent views and the complexity of the issues involved, I have initiated a public consultation process whereby...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (26 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: The work permits section of my Department refused a work permit application by the above named individual on 20 August 2004 on the grounds that the position could be filled by an Irish or EEA national and that the proposed employee was in the country on a short-term visa. The employer was notified of the decision in writing and advised of the right to appeal. There is no record of any appeal...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (26 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio, including the provision of crèche facilities in its industrial estates and business parks, is a day-to-day operational matter for the agency. They are not matters in which I have a function. My inquiries indicated that in March 2002, IDA Ireland commenced the phased roll out of an implementation programme to facilitate the...

Consumer Strategy Group Report. (31 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Government welcomes the report of the consumer strategy group which was published on 18 May 2005. The report contains over 30 separate recommendations involving a variety of Departments and agencies. The Government accepts the core recommendation in the CSG report and has approved, in principle, the establishment of a new national consumer agency. The Government intends to ensure that the...

Consumer Strategy Group Report. (31 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: The report advances new material and arguments in support of its recommendation to revoke the order. It is also the first time since the groceries order was first introduced in the 1950s that its operation has been examined from a uniquely consumer perspective. It is only sensible and prudent policy-making to give all those with an interest in the matter the opportunity to comment on the CSG...

Consumer Strategy Group Report. (31 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: I reject the Deputy's assertion about previous ministerial duties I occupied, including education and science, and health and children. I was the first Minister in 30 years to begin the process of abolishing health boards. The decision to do so through legislation was my decision, despite all the opposition from those on health boards.

Consumer Strategy Group Report. (31 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: Yes, I acknowledge that, but I still took the decision. The smoking ban was also my decision.

Consumer Strategy Group Report. (31 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: I took decisions on other matters as well.

Consumer Strategy Group Report. (31 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: In making decisions, I believe that one must take on board what people have to say. To be frank, although it might be inappropriate for me to say so, I think it was too soon for the Oireachtas committee——

Consumer Strategy Group Report. (31 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: ——to arrive at a conclusion prior to the publication of the consumer strategy group's report.

Consumer Strategy Group Report. (31 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: I did not have it for six months.

Consumer Strategy Group Report. (31 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: In the context of the groceries order, it raises a number of points——

Consumer Strategy Group Report. (31 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: ——particularly the issue of net invoice discounting.

Consumer Strategy Group Report. (31 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: The Oireachtas Committee would do well to re-evaluate and re-examine it.

Consumer Strategy Group Report. (31 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: I will not pre-empt the outcome of the consultation period.

Consumer Strategy Group Report. (31 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: Not at all, I have an open mind on this matter. There is a number of factors to take on board, not least the interests of consumers, which is a key issue. There are also the issues of primary producers, suppliers and the impact on industry. I will allow the consultation process to take place. The consumer strategy group has advanced cogent arguments. Those who are opposed to the revocation of...

Consumer Strategy Group Report. (31 May 2005)

Micheál Martin: We will have to respond in a meaningful way to the points that have been raised by the consumer strategy group, not least that, to date, everyone has concentrated on the revocation of the order only. There are other issues that the CSG raised which deserve serious consideration.