Results 1,081-1,100 of 1,279 for speaker:Michael Ahern
- Live Register. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: The numbers employed in the manufacturing and services industries are increasing exponentially.
- Industrial Development. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: The strategy for science, technology and innovation, SSTI, which was published by the Government in July 2006 noted that, for a country whose performance is dominated by high technology industry, there is a disjuncture between an impressive performance overall and the level of research and development conducted by indigenous and multinational firms in Ireland. The principal objective of the...
- Industrial Development. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: As the take-up by indigenous companies has not been as high as we hoped over the past several years, new programmes have been introduced to increase the level of participation. Enterprise Ireland has a number of programmes of particular relevance to research and development. The programmes are aimed at stimulating research and innovation among companies which are new to product, process and...
- Industrial Development. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: I have total confidence in the expertise and skills available from Enterprise Ireland through my experience of working with the agency over the years. It has now been given other tools to ensure indigenous firms have the chance to grow and develop.
- Alcohol Advisory Group. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: I welcome the establishment of the Government's alcohol advisory group by my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan. I understand this group invited public submissions on the following matters: the increase in the number of supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol stations with off-licences and the manner and conditions of sale of alcohol...
- Alcohol Advisory Group. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: Reports in the media have suggested that the abolition of the groceries order has resulted in the wide availability of low-cost alcohol and an associated increase in consumption. The order was abolished primarily because it allowed wholesalers and suppliers to determine minimum retail prices for consumers, thereby constraining price competition in the grocery trade. It was not designed to...
- Alcohol Advisory Group. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: I have taken note of Deputy English's comments and I will bring them to the attention of the Minister.
- Job Creation. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: The life sciences sector in Ireland comprises approximately 400 enterprises, employing more than 40,000 people, and accounts for almost â¬43 billion in exports per annum. The industry is made up of a host of leading Irish and international firms. Ireland has been extremely successful in attracting investment from leading international life sciences enterprises. The majority of overseas...
- Job Creation. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: Deputy Clune is absolutely correct. The Minister of State with responsibility in this area, Deputy Haughey, will be developing proposals in respect of the upskilling of operators. That report will be forthcoming in the not too distant future. The Minister of State's work will address the points raised by the Deputy. In order to maintain the growth and development of the economy, there...
- Job Creation. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: It will not be a report. The Minister of State will be taking on board and implementing the recommendations made by the group.
- Job Creation. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: Yes.
- Job Creation. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: The Minister of State with responsibility in that area, Deputy Haughey, will initiate the implementation process.
- Job Creation. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: Deputy Haughey is a Minister of State at the Department.
- Skill Shortages. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: The target of upskilling 500,000 people as laid out in the national skills strategy is a very ambitious target. To achieve this target and realise the vision contained in the national skills strategy will require an integrated approach â led jointly by my Department and the Department of Education and Science â that will successfully involve all of the key agencies in the education and...
- Skill Shortages. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: It is important that there is recognition by all interested parties of an absolute need to upskill the workforce. That is the reason there is a commitment in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 of â¬7.7 billion to carry out the process. This will happen incrementally through the agencies with the remit for the work. We have evidence of people losing jobs so It is vitally important the...
- Skill Shortages. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: An interdepartmental implementation committee will suss out the details of how to implement the funding and plans. There will likely be an examination of existing provisions of education and training to determine the key areas and initiatives requiring additional focus to achieve the objectives of the national skills strategy. The Deputy asked who will implement this. A group will bring...
- Skill Shortages. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: I do not have the exact figure.
- Skill Shortages. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: There is no point in throwing out a figure. I will get the number for the Deputy.
- Business Regulation. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: In March 2007, the European Council agreed: administrative burdens arising from EU legislation should be reduced by 25% by 2012. Taking into account the different starting points and traditions, the European Council invites member states to set their own national targets of comparable ambition within their spheres of competence by 2008. Prior to the spring European Council, the Government...
- Business Regulation. (7 Feb 2008)
Michael Ahern: I was involved in the reduction of administrative burden in the last Government when I was Minister of State responsible for company law. Deputies have mentioned regulatory burden and we brought in audit exemption, which has been of great benefit to companies and accountants. There are other areas in which changes have been made, leading to much angst being eliminated. These include...